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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Life-Event/Periodic Bouts
        
(Message started by: vze2n4nj on Apr 14^th, 2008, 3:41pm)

Title: Life-Event/Periodic Bouts
Post by vze2n4nj on Apr 14^th, 2008, 3:41pm

What month of the year do people experience their bouts? Mine has been changing over the years, making me believe that they are more stress-related than triggered by some periodic internal clock. I first got my bouts when I was 20, in college. They occured when I returned to classes in September. Then, I began getting them in January (twice a year) for the next few years. I remember experiencing my only KIP 10 in 2004 when I was 24 in January. Then, I graduated and started a new job in 2006, immediately experiencing a bout in May, which had never happened. Since then, I only get them once a year in April/May (in one now). What do you think about how CH bouts are triggered - stress and internal clock???

Title: Re: Life-Event/Periodic Bouts
Post by seasonalboomer on Apr 14^th, 2008, 3:49pm

many of us struggle with this idea. For me, I used to have a very tight seasonal aspect to mine. They've since morphed and my cycles, while not quite sporadic, are less consistent in their timing. Stress, or for many of us, the alleviation of stress is a trigger. I've had mine come right after a very stressful period before.

The sub-text. No clear answer.

Scott

Title: Re: Life-Event/Periodic Bouts
Post by George_J on Apr 14^th, 2008, 3:52pm

I don't think it's necessarily either/or.

For many here, it appears that their cycles may be precipitated by stress--or the relief of stress.

I've never experienced that. My cycles have been consistently seasonal, May/June and October/November--no matter what has occurred in my life, and no matter what stressors have been in play.

I'm not sure you'll elicit any clear-cut answer. There's a definite seasonal component for some, a definite link to stress in others, and many of us are affected by both.

CH does what it does.

Best wishes,

George

Title: Re: Life-Event/Periodic Bouts
Post by vze2n4nj on Apr 14^th, 2008, 4:05pm

I have my degree in Psychology and have done a fair amount of research in stress and its effects on the brain. Surprisingly, I have only learned minor details instaead of some good, practical understanding. My overall conclusion - we are largely unaware of the stress that we experience. I think there is an interaction between the internal periodicity of the CHs plus life events/stress. If this is the case, than maybe regular meditation/yoga will be helpful in reducing the pain. Knock on wood, my headaches are not as bad as they were when I was in college and grad school. I get KIP 7's and 8's now. I think my stress is lower, since I have a decent work schedule and no more lousy term papers to write or new classes to begin.

Title: Re: Life-Event/Periodic Bouts
Post by CostaRicaKris on Apr 14^th, 2008, 8:31pm

My neuro is convinced that stress brought me out of my four year remission last Septemper (but in the normal start of cluster season) However, while I was in remission I got married and bought a house, although not in that order. Two very stressful life events CH free. I think it's randon.

Title: Re: Life-Event/Periodic Bouts
Post by mezza on Apr 14^th, 2008, 10:26pm

Mine have always happenned in the exact same month each time i have had a cycle( i am 6 weeks into this cycle)- While I can certainly point to some stressors in my life prior to a cycle- i can identify stressors while I wasn't in cycle as well.

Not sure if it is a connection for me - but one thing i do know for sure- being in cycle is probably the most stressful event i experience- juggling kids,kids sports, work, housework, hits, the side effects of meds, worries about having enough meds etc! :)

Title: Re: Life-Event/Periodic Bouts
Post by BarbaraD on Apr 15^th, 2008, 7:47am

When I was episodic, mine always seemed to hit during relaxed periods - never when I was totally stressed.

I've always blamed them on the barometer...

Hugs BD

Title: Re: Life-Event/Periodic Bouts
Post by starlight on Apr 15^th, 2008, 2:52pm

In college I would get mine starting Nov. 9--which is also when workload starts to get heavy in college. Then after college, they started hitting in beginning of summer (but not on an exact date) and these bouts have been much more clearly related to emotional stress (as in college they came every year, but summer bouts not every year). My take--I think it is a combination of things that cause overload and then CH.