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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> CH Sufferers Poll: Alcoholics and/or Drug Addicts?
        
(Message started by: paulc on Sep 7^th, 2006, 12:48pm)

Title: CH Sufferers Poll: Alcoholics and/or Drug Addicts?
Post by paulc on Sep 7^th, 2006, 12:48pm

I am conducting a pole on the Zone Diet thread, in which it is stated that CH sufferers have a high erincidence of alchoholism and drug addiction (particularly cocaine) than the general population. Please answer truthfully. It is my belief that chronic CH sufferers use LESS alchohol and drugs than the general population. Please state whether or not your use of alchohol or drugs, such as cocaine, has increased,decreased or remained the since you were diagnosed as suffering from CH.

Title: Re: CH Sufferers Poll: Alcoholics and/or Drug Addi
Post by seasonalboomer on Sep 7^th, 2006, 12:56pm

paul, by the way you've phrased this thread, are you not doing exactly that which you were concerned about on the other thread?

a LOT of past threads have explored this issue, ad nauseum. only to hash through the same arguments and have no real outcome. there is no real statistical evidence you are going to get through creating such a thread that puts this issue to bed. people will respond on all sides of the issue and, in the end, nothing of use.

if you don't drink or use drugs, then okay. if others have, whatever. the only outcome i've ever seen is that there's "something" to the seratonin arguments but never much to the addiction question that you can make stick consistently.

that's my 2 cents -- (admittedly, i simply don't like these kinds of threads - nothing personal intended)

scott

Title: Re: CH Sufferers Poll: Alcoholics and/or Drug Addi
Post by paulc on Sep 7^th, 2006, 1:00pm

Not a scientific thread, Seasonal. I just wanted to separate it from the other thread and see what the other members are doing-nothing personal taken.

Title: Re: CH Sufferers Poll: Alcoholics and/or Drug Addi
Post by Charlotte on Sep 7^th, 2006, 1:36pm

I rarely drink & don't use cocaine. This hasn't changed since I was diagnosed with ch in the mid 90's. However, currently, I am not diagnosed with ch because I no longer fit the category.

But there has been no change in my alcohol & cocaine usage.

Charlotte

Title: Re: CH Sufferers Poll: Alcoholics and/or Drug Addi
Post by jmorgan52 on Sep 7^th, 2006, 4:12pm

There are a lot of self confessed heavy (and not so heavy) smokers, drinkers and junk food eaters on this board. There are also many who are addicted to this board. 8)

I smoked for 15 years but not for the past 25 years.

I have drunk alchohol since I was a young teenager. Plenty of times in excess. Am I an alcoholic? No. I can go all week without a drink and have a few beers at the weekend. I can also get totally pissed every now and again and have a bad hangover. I never felt the urge to swear off booze though.

Does this mean CH suffers like have "addictive personalities"? maybe, maybe not.

There may be something in it, but like seasonal I dislike these polls. You will prove nothing with this one.

Title: Re: CH Sufferers Poll: Alcoholics and/or Drug Addi
Post by Bob P on Sep 7^th, 2006, 4:29pm

I soak my joints in cocaine laced 151 rum before I smoke them.

Title: Re: CH Sufferers Poll: Alcoholics and/or Drug Addi
Post by Jonny on Sep 7^th, 2006, 4:34pm

on 09/07/06 at 16:29:31, Bob P wrote:

I soak my joints in cocaine laced 151 rum before I smoke them.

;;D

Will you sell me the roaches?....thats where all the goodness collects!! [smiley=laugh.gif]

Title: Re: CH Sufferers Poll: Alcoholics and/or Drug Addi
Post by unsolved1 on Sep 7^th, 2006, 5:12pm

I don't drink and have never used any cocaine (except cocaine drops once @ the Diamond Clinic). As far as other narcotics go, I have never found a drug that was good enough to tame the beast and have never liked or became addicted to any of them. (There not good enough [smiley=huh.gif] ).

UNsolved

PS. I am addicted to Imitrex injections, DHE, and Solu Medrol @ the moment. ;;D

Title: Re: CH Sufferers Poll: Alcoholics and/or Drug Addi
Post by JeffB on Sep 7^th, 2006, 5:30pm

I live in N.California, it would be against the law for me not to burn my green. Also, I enjoy a few cocktails during the week and few more on the weekend. No cocaine for me in years.

Title: Re: CH Sufferers Poll: Alcoholics and/or Drug Addi
Post by prcole18 on Sep 7^th, 2006, 5:59pm

One of the things I always connected with my CH is Cocaine.

I was quite a heavy user when my CH's started. My doctor & neuro have said though that it is highly unlikey that they are connected.

I rarley touch the stuff now maybe right place right time once or twice a year.
What I will say though, the last time I did coke was approx 2 months ago, The cycle im in now is one of my worst ever & yes you guessed it, it started practically the day after I did coke...... coincidence, who knows.

By the way i'm chronic & have cycles in cycles if that aint too confusing!

Title: Re: CH Sufferers Poll: Alcoholics and/or Drug Addi
Post by paulc on Sep 7^th, 2006, 6:09pm

on 09/07/06 at 17:59:31, prcole18 wrote:

Not too confusing at all as I am chronic as well-it is often difficult to tell when one cycle ends and another begins.

Title: Re: CH Sufferers Poll: Alcoholics and/or Drug Addi
Post by Melissa on Sep 7^th, 2006, 9:13pm

Never used drugs except for dabbling in pot when I was a teen.

For prescriptions, I got addicted to Tylox once after a surgery I had and ever since then I only take Tylenol 3 as a pain killer IF I need it. (I'm talking for after surgeries. I do NOT use any RX pain killers for my clusters.)

As for alcohol, I can only tolerate a couple drinks then I have to stop because of my anxiety disorder. I don't like the feelings of unreality.

I'm episodic.

Oh yeah, I don't smoke either. I quit almost 2 years ago.

modified for clairity

Title: Re: CH Sufferers Poll: Alcoholics and/or Drug Addi
Post by starlight on Sep 7^th, 2006, 9:31pm

Again I will say that I started getting clusters before I ever touched a cigarette, alcohol or even a cup of coffee. I do not presently drink at all. I do smoke but have quit for years in the past (still had clusters during that time when not smoking). I personally do not believe they are caused by any of the abovementioned. Including cocaine. It's not the link. They are looking for the link but I don't think they are looking hard enough (sorry to sound "angry"). I think there may be a viral connection as I started getting these after I had mono--sounds crazy but no crazier than these docs who think it is caused by smoking when I started getting these when I was 14 and the craziest thing I had done was chew three sticks of gum at once. LOL!!!
It is great to look for the link though!!!

Title: Re: CH Sufferers Poll: Alcoholics and/or Drug Addi
Post by alleyoop on Sep 7^th, 2006, 10:19pm

Starlight,

From http://www.med-owl.com/clusterheadaches/tiki-index.php?page=Epstein-Barr+Virus

"Acute infection with the Epstein-Barr virus the cause of mononucleosis, and a low-grade chronic infection is suspected of being responsible for many cases of chronic fatigue syndrome. Clusterheads as a group have higher levels of antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus in their blood, and this may contribute to headaches according to the Neuroimmune Hypothesis.

Research has shown that consuming beets can reduce Epstein-Barr activity. PMID:8620443 (cache). Beets are a good source of red pigments ('betalains') which may have antiviral properties. Beets are also rich in trimethylglycine, a methyl donor with B-vitamin like activity. Trimethylglycine, like SAM-E, supports a number of biochemical steps that are required for serotonin synthesis."

..........alley

Title: Re: CH Sufferers Poll: Alcoholics and/or Drug Addi
Post by starlight on Sep 7^th, 2006, 11:13pm

Alleyoop--

Thank you very much for posting this. I really do appreciate it--someone posted something before about the neuroimmune hypothesis after I asked about mono and CH on a thread I started but I did not know about eating beets and reducing Epstein Barr activity--I will be running to the store to get some tomorrow cause my cycle is not letting up like it usually does. I will try that. I really think there is a viral connection. I hope they figure it out soon!!! Thank you for the information. Star

Title: Re: CH Sufferers Poll: Alcoholics and/or Drug Addi
Post by Katherinecm on Sep 8^th, 2006, 12:01am

How many beets do you have to eat?

Starlight, can you let me know if this helps you please?

Title: Re: CH Sufferers Poll: Alcoholics and/or Drug Addi
Post by starlight on Sep 8^th, 2006, 10:01am

Hey Katherine--

I will definitely let you know if it helps! I will make myself eat some tonight--I haven't eaten beets in probably ten years! I don't mind 'em though. Take care, STar

Title: Re: CH Sufferers Poll: Alcoholics and/or Drug Addi
Post by starlight on Sep 8^th, 2006, 11:36am

PS Katherine--

I just did a search on the cluster boards and found a thread called "Beets Helped Me" (I don't know how to cut and paste things on internet) but if you do a search someone said they had great luck with beets. Anyway am going to try it starting today. Will let you know. Star

Title: Re: CH Sufferers Poll: Alcoholics and/or Drug Addi
Post by alleyoop on Sep 8^th, 2006, 6:43pm

Good luck girls!

Keep us posted.

...........alley

Title: Re: CH Sufferers Poll: Alcoholics and/or Drug Addi
Post by Katherinecm on Sep 8^th, 2006, 7:14pm

on 09/08/06 at 11:36:51, starlight wrote:

I can't seem to get the search function to work for anything more than a week old... It looks like it's searching, but just hangs there forever. Can someone copy the link for me? You just highlight the address, hit <crtl-c> for copy and <ctrl-v> to paste it into a post.

Title: Re: CH Sufferers Poll: Alcoholics and/or Drug Addi
Post by brewcrew on Sep 8^th, 2006, 7:32pm

I'm only addicted to two things: my wife's meatloaf and peanut butter cookies.

Edited to add: Quitting smoking is easy - I've done it at least 82 times.

Title: Re: CH Sufferers Poll: Alcoholics and/or Drug Addi
Post by jmorgan52 on Sep 9^th, 2006, 4:29am

what about all those out there addicted to sugar, soft drinks, white bread, coffee, burgers, donuts etc.

1 can of coke = 9 spoons of sugar for example. Tht's probably why the coca cola recipe is so secret.

Maybe these are contributing to some peoples CH?

Title: Re: CH Sufferers Poll: Alcoholics and/or Drug Addi
Post by paulc on Sep 9^th, 2006, 6:18am

Although this thread appears to have been temporarily "hijacked" by the "beet people", I don't mind as I like beets and especially borscht (cold with sour cream...mmmmmm!); my reading of the non-beet posts indicates that while some people used illicit substances in their youth (yours truley as well-I was in college during the late 60's through the mid 70's and lied on various applications when asked if I had ever used any-"Who, me? Never, never, ever, ever!), the vast majority of us now "senior" CH sufferers gave up using drugs and alcohol years ago when we were diagnosed with CH and suddenly realized why we got attacks after drinking ETOH and/or using drugs; the horrible pain afterwards wasn't worth whatever high that we got. I hope that people continue to respond to this thread-more for us to learn-but I feel confident in stating that CH sufferers DO NOT have a high incidence of substance abuse because we are more intelligent than the average bear and can easily see the connection between using the stuff and our pain. Thank you all for responding and thank you to those who sent me PMs. I hope that this trend continues and that new sufferers will learn a very valuable lesson from us "old folks". As regards your question about diet, Mr. Morgan (any distant relation to Henry Morgan, the pirate? That would be so cool!), it is not a harmful one and if it helps you then go ahead and eat it. I have a different view on the subject, but that's me nx fhf xosz jof! (Serbian expression meaning if you are comfortable with your choice then continue to do it!)! PFDANs for all!

Title: Re: CH Sufferers Poll: Alcoholics and/or Drug Addi
Post by chewy on Sep 9^th, 2006, 10:53am

For the benefit of new people paulc is our resident troll. He serves no purpose except to confuse, obfuscate and distress posters while providing a wealth of misinformation of his own.

The best response to him is no response. All we do is inform people as best we can that his posts are unsound.

Title: Re: CH Sufferers Poll: Alcoholics and/or Drug Addi
Post by jmorgan52 on Sep 9^th, 2006, 11:19am

PaulC - yes I am related to Henry Morgan and proud of it ;;D

And if you want to talk about addition; it is not just about booze and drugs! Addictions and addictive personalties cover a wide range of problems from addictions to drugs, the internet, food, porn, sugar, pain, violence and abusive behaviour, crime, lieing, gambling, bullshitting, etc, etc - you name it.

Think deep and hard - what you are addicted to? I can take several guesses.

Chewy - we have often stronglly disagreed on many postings, but for once I am beginning to agree with you here.

John

Title: Re: CH Sufferers Poll: Alcoholics and/or Drug Addi
Post by kcopelin on Sep 9^th, 2006, 11:20am

Hey BobP! [smiley=laugh.gif] I finally got it....
I tried to smoke salmon once-couldn't figure out which end to light [smiley=laugh.gif] [smiley=laugh.gif]
kathy

Title: Re: CH Sufferers Poll: Alcoholics and/or Drug Addi
Post by paulc on Sep 9^th, 2006, 11:44am

on 09/09/06 at 11:20:55, kcopelin wrote:

Hey BobP! [smiley=laugh.gif] I finally got it....
I tried to smoke salmon once-couldn't figure out which end to light [smiley=laugh.gif] [smiley=laugh.gif]
kathy

You light the end without the filter [smiley=laugh.gif] ::)

Title: Re: CH Sufferers Poll: Alcoholics and/or Drug Addi
Post by inyoureye on Sep 9^th, 2006, 12:19pm

casual drinker when not in cluster. Had Episodic Ch since 16 so it effected my drinking habits greatly. I don't drink much and don't need much when I do.

I smoke daily. Pot.

Cigarette smoker. (biggest drug addiction I have)

Both are triggers and are not used during cluster.