Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Question about alcohol & CH
        
(Message started by: waljr38 on Jan 7^th, 2007, 12:39am)

Title: Question about alcohol & CH
Post by waljr38 on Jan 7^th, 2007, 12:39am

Hi,everyone this will be my first post ever so i hope the words come out right. I'm so glad i found this place!The first time i went through a cycle was five years ago it lasted for twelve weeks. I was not diagnosed with ch intil the tenth week, and didnt have a clue what was happen to me .One question i have is could alcohol trigger a cycle to start? The reason i ask is because the first cycle i went through i related the alcohol to the HAs. So i quit drinking ,five years go by pf intil three weeks ago at our company christmas party .I had 4 shots of JD and 5 beers (was feeling pretty good :P) Two days later i felt the ice pick behind my right eye and the cycle started. I'm somewhere around the third week into my cycle and have a lot of questions. This is all pretty new to me but i have learned alot here in a weeks time, and am better equiped to talk to the nero on monday. I think any neuro who treats ch should be required to spend at least ten hours at this site!!! God bless you all ,and thankyou for being here! :)

Title: Re: Question about alcohol & CH
Post by E-Double on Jan 7^th, 2007, 12:41am

Alcohol is a known trigger for MANY episodics.

It is possible

Title: Re: Question about alcohol & CH
Post by pubgirl on Jan 7^th, 2007, 11:21am

Alcohol triggers attacks for me, but not cycles.

The cycle happens when it wants to and I can feel it coming, so I stop drinking then as I can drink freely when out of cycle.

It may be that alcohol triggers cycles for you, or that you were going to have one anyway and the alcohol was a coincidence.

W

Title: Re: Question about alcohol & CH
Post by burnt-toast on Jan 7^th, 2007, 11:44am

In my case even a small amount of alcohol triggers severe attacks. Even before I was diagnosed a connection between alcohol and my attacks was obvious. But this is not consistent for every sufferer.

Alcohol is considered a common trigger when sufferers are in cyle. On the other hand it reportedly is not a common trigger for sufferers when out of cycle and is not considered a factor in initiating new cycles.

Many chronics report that alcohol increases the number and/or intensity of attacks while others report that alcohol has no effect on their symptoms.

If you are suffering from CH, one thing is certain. You have a lot of work to do in determining what to avoid and finding treatment(s) that help you improve your symptoms.

Best wishes on your journey,

Tom

Title: Re: Question about alcohol & CH
Post by Guiseppi on Jan 7^th, 2007, 12:36pm

I drink when off cycle, been fighting the beast about 28 years. When on cycle I don't touch alcohol as it's an instant trigger fro an attack! It has never started a cycle for me.

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Question about alcohol & CH
Post by TonyG1 on Jan 7^th, 2007, 2:13pm

I've never had alcohol trigger a cycle; however, when in cycle I never touch the stuff as it is guaranteed that it will trigger an attack. When out of cycle, it is a non-issue

Title: Re: Question about alcohol & CH
Post by Shedz on Jan 7^th, 2007, 2:40pm

What Tony said, its the same for me.

Title: Re: Question about alcohol & CH
Post by Barry_T_Coles on Jan 8^th, 2007, 2:15am

I'm chronic; stout,white wine & scotch is fine for me but one beer & ^A/_TI go.

Cheers
Barry

Title: Re: Question about alcohol & CH
Post by georgej on Jan 8^th, 2007, 3:37am

on 01/07/07 at 14:13:21, TonyG1 wrote:

I've never had alcohol trigger a cycle; however, when in cycle I never touch the stuff as it is guaranteed that it will trigger an attack. When out of cycle, it is a non-issue

Agreed.

Best,

George

Title: Re: Question about alcohol & CH
Post by trish on Jan 8^th, 2007, 6:04am

YES! DEFINITELY!

My husband has CHs triggered by alcohol. He once stopped drinking for 2 years, and had no CH's... (He's had them for about 12 years now)

If he is not in a cycle he can drink, BUT if he overdoes it and drinks too much (ie goes on a bender) about 3 days later he'll get start a cycle of CHs.

Alcohol DEFINITELY trigger his cycles also, if in a cycle, a few mouthfuls can trigger a CH. As far as I can remember he has never had a CH that wasnt alcohol related.

He's having some master blasters right now, and has vowed to give up alcohol for ever... Ive heard that many times before, but always hope that this time its for real...

Stick your feet in a bath of freezing cold water at the first sign of an attack - it may abort the headache. Also immediately drinking coke or strong coffee (Im getting some Red Bull today for him to try that) and, bizarrely, stroking our cat helps him - sometimes...

I think that my husband (and you by the sound of it?) is dead lucky in the great scheme of CH things ...... if not drinking means not getting CH's then not having alcohol is a small price to pay....... most of the CH sufferers around here would probably give anything for such an 'easy' solution!?!

t
xxxx

Title: Re: Question about alcohol & CH
Post by barry_sword on Jan 8^th, 2007, 6:31am

Hi. I am a beer drinker and have never connected the CH with alcohol. I am in cycle now and have a couple of beers in the evening with no problem. I guess every-one is different with different triggers, and alcohol is not my trigger. CHEERS!

Barry [smiley=me&mb.gif]

Title: Re: Question about alcohol & CH
Post by birdman on Jan 8^th, 2007, 12:56pm

I am in agreement, in cycle stay away. Out of cycle, no problem

Title: Re: Question about alcohol & CH
Post by MorDog on Jan 13^th, 2007, 3:23pm

on 01/07/07 at 14:40:15, Shedz wrote:

What Tony said, its the same for me.

Ditto for me too!

Title: Re: Question about alcohol & CH
Post by seasonalboomer on Jan 15^th, 2007, 10:40am

I've suspected that a period of heavier drinking has resulted in a cycle starting for me in the past. Although since this has not been a consistent experience I am of the opinion that this period of heavier drinking was accompanied by a period of realy screwy sleep patterns (staying out late, getting up at wierd times, constantly tired, catnaps at goofy times, etc...) and the timing of a cycle got bumped up a bit.

For my last two cycles alcohol actually hasn't been an automatic trigger, while in the past having a beer was like starting the "launch sequence".

hope that helps.

scott

Title: Re: Question about alcohol & CH
Post by gonz2112 on Jan 15^th, 2007, 1:02pm

Alcohol has never started a cycle for me, but certainly has triggered attacks in the past.

on 01/08/07 at 06:04:57, trish wrote:

My husband has CHs triggered by alcohol. He once stopped drinking for 2 years, and had no CH's...

I have not had a drink in 14 years and my cycles have continued with not much change in frequency. Perhaps a little further apart, but also longer in duration.

So if you are thinking about quitting drinking to stop your CH's it probably won't work. If you are thinking about quitting because you have a problem then PM me and I'll tell you how I did it. (Xango juice);)

Mark

Title: Re: Question about alcohol & CH
Post by Lissa on Jan 15^th, 2007, 1:55pm

Oh yes! I remember cycles starting after a night of drinking. That definitely could be a trigger.

Title: Re: Question about alcohol & CH
Post by edbeek on Jan 15^th, 2007, 10:17pm

Way back when, before I knew WTF a CH was, one beer would trigger a hit immediately for me, but after the CH passed, I could keep drinking all night without further hits. Since I learnt a bit about CH, I never drank alcohol when in cycle.
I can't say alcohol triggers a cycle for me because I have had 7 years remission while I was a regular drinker, and now after 3 years of virtually no alcohol my cycle has started again.

Title: Re: Question about alcohol & CH
Post by ozzyrocks36 on Jan 23^rd, 2007, 2:13pm

When I'm not in cycle, I can drink what i want,when i want, as much as I want..but when in cycle I'm afraid to go in a place that even sells alcohol...I'm episodic though; dont know about chronic heads....I don't really feel that it will start a cycle though.....It never has me anyway

Title: Re: Question about alcohol & CH
Post by LeLimey on Jan 23^rd, 2007, 3:36pm

I'm chronic and I can drink alcohol without it triggering hits but I do have to watch red wine as it CAN.. not always but I do "know" when its one of those times when I just shouldn't even think about it. Although, to be honest, I wouldn't drink alcohol at all then anyway.
Hope that helps
Helen

Title: Re: Question about alcohol & CH
Post by thomas on Jan 23^rd, 2007, 5:52pm

Alcohol used to trigger attacks for me, but never a cycle. But now I can drink whenever I want, even in cycle, although most times when I'm in cycle, I really don't feel like drinking.

Title: Re: Question about alcohol & CH
Post by starlight on Jan 23^rd, 2007, 10:50pm

Alcohol has never triggered a cycle for me. I started getting them before I ever touched alcohol. In college party time alcohol did not even trigger cluster headaches during cycle. Went through periods of time where I abstained from alcohol completely and didn't make a difference with the beast, same with smoking. In my mid-20's I went to a Stevie Nicks concert a few sips into a glass of wine the beast started pounding my head and never drank again during a cycle.
In college I did not drink wine, so maybe wine specifically was/is a trigger for the headache. The cycle itself I think we are dealing with a bigger animal that comes on for a broader reason than alcohol. But for you it could be some type of trigger for the cycle who knows--alcohol effects everyone differently.

Title: Re: Question about alcohol & CH
Post by sandie99 on Jan 24^th, 2007, 5:25am

Alcohol is a trigger for me! That's why I've become pretty much complitely sober since CH started.

PF days to all,
Sanna

Title: Re: Question about alcohol & CH
Post by Chrisjg23 on Jan 24^th, 2007, 2:34pm

Ahh if it were that easy to find the cause! Since this is my first CH episode, I have read quite a lot and consider myself somewhat knowledgeable on the topic. Anyways, I was reading what possible causes for CH could be or at least what CH sufferers had in common and they were:

1. Head trauma
2. Extreme heat or cold
3. Heavy Drinking
4. Heavy Smoking

It just so happens that I accomplished 3 out of the 4 in a 3 day period just as my CHs started...A great friend of mine came home for 2 weeks from Afghanistan (Army) and we caught up over a bottle and a half of bourbon. Two days later, myself and a bunch of guys played flag football on Turkey day morning...Not only was it the coldest I've ever been, but I also took an elbow to the head--left temple--same side as my CH!(not sure it was traumatic, though.)

I don't smoke so getting all 4 was tough...but I find it hard to believe that all of those events had nothing to do with my CHs...

Title: Re: Question about alcohol & CH
Post by georgej on Jan 24^th, 2007, 7:43pm

on 01/24/07 at 14:34:00, Chrisjg23 wrote:

Anyways, I was reading what possible causes for CH could be or at least what CH sufferers had in common and they were:

1. Head trauma
2. Extreme heat or cold
3. Heavy Drinking
4. Heavy Smoking

I don't smoke so getting all 4 was tough...but I find it hard to believe that all of those events had nothing to do with my CHs...

Dunno, Chris. If there are precipitating factors for CH, other than a malformed hypothalumus, I don't qualify for any of the ones listed above. I started getting them at 13, years before I ever sampled alcohol or tobacco, and I've never had any head trauma.

Best wishes,

George

Title: Re: Question about alcohol & CH
Post by starlight on Jan 25^th, 2007, 2:47pm

I started getting them before any alcohol/smoking. I did have a head injury when I was 2. I do not think that is why I get them--but my mother thinks it is why.

Title: Re: Question about alcohol & CH
Post by Richr8 on Jan 26^th, 2007, 6:34am

on 01/07/07 at 14:13:21, TonyG1 wrote:

I've never had alcohol trigger a cycle; however, when in cycle I never touch the stuff as it is guaranteed that it will trigger an attack. When out of cycle, it is a non-issue

Same here, however, while in cycle if I drink and start to get hit, I can usually abort with O2 and continue drinking without further consequence, atleast until bedtime. Then an hour after getting to sleep, it's the same old drill. I just figured that out during my cycle in 2005. Real handy for being able to attend Holiday events and imbibe a bit. Just keep a rig in the car and step out when the beast approaches. A mild improvement to the social scene while I cycle. I can't tell you how many events I missed, or had to leave, prior to the mobile clustermask and O2.

Title: Re: Question about alcohol & CH
Post by Fr._Joe on Jan 30^th, 2007, 8:29pm

I find that when I am in cycle I have no desire to drink. However, I have also found that Budweiser and the like will trigger when in cycle, but Heineken or the like will not. Also - dark liquor will trigger, but clear won't. As a side note, Sprite is a trigger when in cyce, but 7-up isn't. Any one else notice these seemng inconsistensies?

BTW -- I have had these for about 30 years, so I haven't gone near a Sprite for that long. When in a shadow state, I simply avoid alchohol.

Joe.

Title: Re: Question about alcohol & CH
Post by Turts on Feb 6^th, 2007, 12:24am

Quote:

Posted by: Barry_T_Coles Posted on: Jan 8th, 2007, 5:15pm
I'm chronic; stout,white wine & scotch is fine for me but one beer & A /T I go.

I will have to get a bigger glass but i will gave that combo a go.

alcohol has never started a cycle, but when in cycle it can trigger a hit. sometimes I use this to my advantage.
on days with heavy shadows, i get home exhausted, tired and frustrated. a few shots of "jamiesons' irish whisky and i either get hit and the shadow ends, giving me a clear(er) mind for a while or the shadow dissappears.
it can be a toss of a coin, but its worth the gamble.

Turts

Title: Re: Question about alcohol & CH
Post by Little Deb on Feb 6^th, 2007, 10:23pm

on 01/23/07 at 14:13:24, ozzyrocks36 wrote:

Couldn't have said it better.....
Deb

Title: Re: Question about alcohol & CH
Post by gcormier04401 on Feb 9^th, 2007, 2:08pm

Alcohol ALWAYS triggered a CH but not my cycle. I am 3 years off and 6-8 in a cycle. When in my cycle just one drink would trigger a CH.

I am 7 days into shadow symptoms 3 years to the month from my last cycle. I'm dreading the fact that they might be starting. However, I was finally diagnosed AFTER my last cycle. So, if they are back this will be the first time that I have a game plan.