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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> did quitting smoking help?
        
(Message started by: bruce802 on Jan 29^th, 2007, 11:20am)

Title: did quitting smoking help?
Post by bruce802 on Jan 29^th, 2007, 11:20am

Hello All,

It’s been a few months since I have been on here last. I have been PF since somewhere around last August. My last cluster cycle was shorter then it usually is, and I was wondering if two of the changes might have attributed to it. First off, I ended up going on Axcert which help abort the CH’s tremendously. I have never been on any meds before that. And secondly I ended up quitting smoking about two weeks after the cycle had started.

My main question is, has anyone quit smoking and not had anymore CH’s, and if not, did it help with the remission or severity of the CH’s at all?

Thank you all for your responses

Bruce

Title: Re: did quitting smoking help?
Post by kcopelin on Jan 29^th, 2007, 2:48pm

Bruce,
I quit smoking three times for 9 months at a time, when pregnant. I didn't get hit at all during pregnancy, nor between the first two pregnancies, (11 months apart). I went back to smoking (don't freak out you non-smokers! I've smoked outside now for the past 17 years-never in the house or car with kids.)
There was a gap of 8 years between my second and third babies. I did get hit during that time-was smoking. Stopped smoking when I found out I was pregnant and didn't get hit again until my youngest was almost a year old. Was it the quitting or the pregnancies? My vote is for the pregnancies. I do, however, plan on quitting again very soon (no, not pregnant-50 years old for goodness sakes). Will let you know if it has a positive impact-sure hope so..
PFDAN y'all,
kathy
P.S. Heard others mention quitting-maybe we should start a thread about that-thinnk of the support group!)

Title: Re: did quitting smoking help?
Post by starlight on Jan 29^th, 2007, 2:52pm

I am sorry to report that quitting smoking for me did not help with the cluster headache cycles. I did also have one neuro tell me that he was not surprised by that fact that it did not help.
I believe aerobic exercise may have benefit, however, in helping to avoid cluster headaches as when I began exercising around the time when I would normally get the cycle every year (Nov. 9 back then) I did skip a year. Also, a few nights I have managed to avoid getting clusters after exercising that day (running)--problem is many times I do not feel up to exercising during cycle as I get 2-6 headaches per night in cycle. My advice if you are serious, is to try jogging 2 miles per day. Some here may get angry at me for recommending that saying nothing can help, but it did help me I feel and did help me (when I was up to it)avoid a few nights of headaches during cycle. I think that improving blood circulation is one effective tool in fighting the beast. Good luck to you my friend.

Title: Re: did quitting smoking help?
Post by starlight on Jan 29^th, 2007, 2:58pm

Sorry, I also need to add that exercise helps a person sleep deeply and restoratively--I believe that sleep difficulties are breeding grounds for the cluster headache. I have never been a deep sleeper and remember most of my dreams. Exercise knocks me out at night. Swimming laps also helps with sleep very much.
Sleeping deeply helps keep the cluster out I believe. But don't use drugs to sleep deeply--that can create a much larger problem and contribute to headaches.

Title: Re: did quitting smoking help?
Post by Richr8 on Jan 29^th, 2007, 3:11pm

I quit all the time. No impact on cycles.

Title: Re: did quitting smoking help?
Post by barry_sword on Jan 29^th, 2007, 6:05pm

I'm 17 months smoke free (2 pack a day) and back in cycle now since Nov.06.

So my answer is no, smoking and CH are not a connection for me.

Barry

Title: Re: did quitting smoking help?
Post by midwestbeth on Jan 29^th, 2007, 7:02pm

Good job to all who quit smoking. I'm a 20+ year smoker who has quit on and off several times, just didn't stick to it. Don't know if quitting would have much of an effect on ch, but many ch sufferers are smokers, past and present, then there are some who have never smoked and still suffer from ch. Connection ?? Who knows.

For those who are thinking about quitting, there is a drug called Chantix. My 3 pk a day cousin quit cold turkey a couple weeks ago and she is amazed that the craving is just gone. She owns and work in a bar, so this is really a big accomplishment for her.

I think a support thread for quitting is a great idea!

Beth

Title: Re: did quitting smoking help?
Post by froggy on Jan 29^th, 2007, 11:17pm

Can't say for sure, but 15 years ago the husband was up to 3 packs a day plus some bad eating habits (that we eventually tweaked). When he quit, the headaches did get better.

Title: Re: did quitting smoking help?
Post by Ob1kanobee on Jan 29^th, 2007, 11:44pm

I quit smoking about 6 months prior to my recent cycle, so to answer your question, no not for me. However, my cycle was short this year, only about three weeks and not as intense. I am attributing this however to Kudzu and to the support I have received from the folks on here.

With that said, quiting smoking still has too many benefits, even if it doesn't help CH, especially if you would like to live a healthier life (statistically). Besides that, it is a nasty habbit.

Title: Re: did quitting smoking help?
Post by burnt-toast on Jan 30^th, 2007, 7:11am

Quit smoking for the overall health benefits. Quitting in the hopes of improving CH is going to be disappointing.

The connection made between smoking and CH is the result of statistical analysis and potentially the ongoing pursuit of political correctness. Since the percentage of suffers that smoke is reportedly above average, smoking was listed as a "potential" cause without taking into account the fact that non-smokers also suffer from CH.

The two most CH knowledgeable neuro's that I've found have stopped recommending patients stop smoking to help with their CH. But they do still recommend quitting for the oveall health benefit.

Tom

Title: Re: did quitting smoking help?
Post by taraann on Jan 30^th, 2007, 8:27am

I quit.....didn't help CH or migraines.

But unfortunately I quit quitting. :P

Title: Re: did quitting smoking help?
Post by B14CK5H33P on Jan 30^th, 2007, 6:43pm

My Doc prescribed me something called Chantix today that is a stop smoking aid. He said you take the meds and continue to smoke. After awhile the cigs start to lose their taste and appeal.
I think the script is about 100 dollars a month, but right now I am determined to quit.

I remember reading from some other CHeads who had quit smoking, and it had no effect on their CH's. Also keep in mind how many non-smokers have CH. I'd have to agree that it was probably the pregnancies that put you in remission.

Peace,
Carl

Title: Re: did quitting smoking help?
Post by bruce802 on Jan 31^st, 2007, 8:43am

Thank you all for your input, and good luck to anyone trying to quit smoking, that’s quite a challenge in itself, especially after some bad CH’s

Bruce

Title: Re: did quitting smoking help?
Post by Pellsey on Jan 31^st, 2007, 8:55am

I've quit nine time this week and still getting hit three or four times a day.

But seriously, after my last bout in 2005 I gave up after 17 years on them and the beast has still come back as strong as ever.

My neuro told me that stopping smoking would reduce the intensity and frequency of them??? Must have been confused with another kind of HA 'cause i reckon the Beast can just breathe easier now. He seems to have a lot more energy this time around, or i've just got a little less?

Title: Re: did quitting smoking help?
Post by findjoshua on Jan 31^st, 2007, 12:57pm

Hi there. I smoked heavily for years, about two packs a day and had clusters since pretty much the time I started (I don't think it is related.) I can report that I quit two years ago when I was 30 and didn't see any slow down in the CH's.

Title: Re: did quitting smoking help?
Post by starlight on Feb 1^st, 2007, 10:42am

Hey there:

Everybody should quit smoking for health reasons--I have started up again myself and I will ask for that Chantix stuff next time I go to doc. Quitting smoking will most likely not reduce intensity or frequency of cluster headache--that is what I have been told by a neuro and that was my experience as I quit for many years in my 20's. But, exercise is beneficial for these HAs--it can help a person sleep and destress--quitting smoking helps a person exercise--but walking will help and you can do that if you smoke. You can even jog if you smoke you just might get out of breath. Cigarettes don't cause these HAs though.

Title: Re: did quitting smoking help?
Post by froggy on Feb 4^th, 2007, 4:00pm

I don't think that tobacco causes CH by any means. But just thinking about it, isn't smoking linked to hyper-tension (among other things). Maybey the heart has to work harder because it's harder for a smoker to breath. And since blood pressure seems to be an issue with these things, something may be connected?

Who knows, looks like the majority of people who have written in on this said that smoking didn't have an impact.

Maybey we'll all know one day what's really going on.

Title: Re: did quitting smoking help?
Post by swimchica623 on Feb 5^th, 2007, 7:19am

Interesting you bring up blood pressure...I thought there might be something related there. I don't smoke, but I have very severe asthma, and my blood pressure and heart rate goes up when I am having difficulty breathing. I've also had many times that asthma attacks have brought on CH. AND IT SUCKS MORE THAN ANYTHING TO DEAL WITH BOTH. Smoking can lead to chronic breathing problems and its your choice to have to deal with both of them at the same time if that ever happens because you are still smoking. But if you think a cluster is bad, try having one with seriously impaired lung function. If you quit smoking, you'll be glad you did.
Just my two cents.

**Disclaimer: I've been up working all night long, its 7:20 and I haven't gone to bed yet, I haven't slept in hours, sorry if this comment sounds rude or harsh, I'm totally sleep deprived right now please don't be mean to me.**