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 >> Want to boot yer CH?
        
(Message started by: ducaro on May 12^th, 2007, 10:34pm)

Title: Want to boot yer CH?
Post by ducaro on May 12^th, 2007, 10:34pm

Hey guys,

Just to let you know that finally i know what has caused this CH to come and go every six months bringing me 'labour shaming' pain.

Believe it or not - its alcohol. I gave up alcohol (beer!) about a year ago and my attacks only measure a 2 on the kipscale! :)

it just worked for me.. may or may not do for you... but its worth a try.

giving up alcohol completely (as in never even beer or wine) is very difficult, but its worth a try. you have nothing to lose, and you will only get back yer life.

::)

Title: Re: Want to boot yer CH?
Post by ClusterChuck on May 12^th, 2007, 10:59pm

Beer and wine have been a well known trigger, for many, for a LONG time. Cutting it out completely does NOT stop clusers. It keeps from triggering new hits, but does NOT stop you from having them.

Chuck

edited to add: There are also many sufferers that do not drink any beer, wine, or liquor at all.

Title: Re: Want to boot yer CH?
Post by UN solved on May 12^th, 2007, 11:03pm

I don't touch the stuff. Haven't for awhile. It is an immediate trigger for me. But, the attacks will still happen without alcohol. Alcohol just makes them immediate and more painful. It's not worth it.

Glad to hear that eliminating alcohol also stopped your attacks.

UNsolved

Title: Re: Want to boot yer CH?
Post by Brewcrew on May 12^th, 2007, 11:15pm

Oh, this is rich.

Title: Re: Want to boot yer CH?
Post by George_J on May 13^th, 2007, 2:09am

Been there, tried that, didn't help.

It's an inevitable trigger for me when I'm in cycle, and I won't touch the stuff while the beast's in town. Has no effect when I'm out of cycle--although I'm not much of a drinker anyway.

Good luck to you, but I'm willing to bet it'll come back anyway.

Best,

George

Title: Re: Want to boot yer CH?
Post by seasonalboomer on May 13^th, 2007, 5:41am

thanks for the advice.

However, when most cluster headache sufferers are "out of cycle" there is no reason why they can not drink. Not drinking, while out of cycle, will not stop the process, or cycling that most of us go through as part of our episodic cluster headaches.

Glad it worked for you. Me – I love a cold beer on a hot day, or a lovely Cabernet with a big steak too much to eliminate it from the plan. Cluster headache reminds me for 6-12 weeks every year how important it is to live one's life to its fullest and drink in the marrow of life when one feels good. Quitting things because they might just be bad is against that philosophy.

Scott

Title: Re: Want to boot yer CH?
Post by ClusterChris on May 13^th, 2007, 9:38am

Good to hear ducaro,

You kind of contradict yourself though, you say in your opening line that this it what is causing your ch's, but then you say it has knocked them down to a 2 on the kip scale. what you should have said was, that it helped ease the pain.

That would be like me saying a lack of oxygen is causing my ch's because everytime i use the oxygen my ch's don't go past a 1 or 2 on the kip scale!

Glad it has eased the pain for ya and best wishes to ya in the future! I love my beer and the pf times in betwen cycles are party time!!! Actually since I got the o2 it has felt like I'm not in cycle anyways but i just can't touch the alcohol yet! ok i gotta stop typing, I seem to ramble on about everything!

Chris

Title: Re: Want to boot yer CH?
Post by Grandma_Sweet_Boy on May 13^th, 2007, 10:00am

And for those of us who don't drink and never have - the answer would be???????

Nice theory, but like most - it's simply your own theory.

If it works for you - great.

Wishing you extened periods of PF time.

Carol

Title: Re: Want to boot yer CH?
Post by chewy on May 13^th, 2007, 10:10am

::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::)

Title: Re: Want to boot yer CH?
Post by Guiseppi on May 13^th, 2007, 1:51pm

I drink a whisker too much when out of cycle...I love my rich, dark, micro brew beers, my blended whiskies, deep red merlots and pinot grigios..............out of cycle. When on cycle I can't even look at a drink without getting hit hard.

I'm glad stopping alcohol worked for you. I am no physician and certainly don't know you, but my guess is either you didn't have CH, or coincidentally you have hit a long remission. Cause and effect is so difficult with this condition because it morphs so often. I'm delighte3d your pain free, if you do have CH don't let your guard down, quitting alcohol won't CURE this conditon, he's still lurking out there!

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Want to boot yer CH?
Post by sandie99 on May 14^th, 2007, 3:49am

It's great that you're figured out that. It doesn't help me with my ch, because I have never been much of a drinker. In fact, I have never had beer in my life.

Title: Re: Want to boot yer CH?
Post by Bob P on May 14^th, 2007, 7:17am

Once again (about every two weeks) someone shows up with their first post being something controversial. I do think all of these are the same person just trying to light us off.

When I quit drinking (16 1/2 years ago) my clusters went from every 8-9 months to every 2 years. This may have been due to no alcohol or just age. I still get them though.

Title: Re: Want to boot yer CH?
Post by JeffB on May 14^th, 2007, 11:03pm

And all this time I thought it was loose women! [smiley=huh.gif]

What other great cures do you have??

Title: Re: Want to boot yer CH?
Post by Turts on May 16^th, 2007, 3:00am

[smiley=beer.gif]

sorry, im with the rest.

doesnt trigger a cycle, but does trigger a hit when in cycle!

why cant i get a smiley that syas give me Jamesons Irish whiskey as well? ;;D

Turts

Title: Re: Want to boot yer CH?
Post by MR_FLOOR on May 22^nd, 2007, 9:56pm

I'm in a continuous cycle being chronic and all . So no drinking for me I figured that out by the time I was 19 and I wasn't even diagnosed yet but I still could put 2 and 2 together. I hope it works for you though.Good Luck.

Dave

Title: Re: Want to boot yer CH?
Post by Barry_T_Coles on May 24^th, 2007, 3:48am

on 05/16/07 at 03:00:04, Turts wrote:

[smiley=beer.gif]

why cant i get a smiley that syas give me Jamesons Irish whiskey as well? ;;D

Turts

http://bestsmileys.com/drinking/5.gif

Not exactly what you wanted but will have to do untill I can come up with the right thing ;;D

Title: Re: Want to boot yer CH?
Post by taraann on May 24^th, 2007, 9:51am

Whenever I see a stupid question like this subject line... I think nah. No, I want to have CH forever. That's why I have tried just about every med over counter and prescribed for thepast 9 years. But no I don't want to boot my ch it's a blast, thanks so much for your asking.

.... sorry for the sarcasm but damn ! ::) ::) ::)

Title: Re: Want to boot yer CH?
Post by Linda_Howell on May 24^th, 2007, 1:47pm

Title: Re: Want to boot yer CH?
Post by Dave on May 26^th, 2007, 9:38am

on 05/12/07 at 22:34:53, ducaro wrote:

Here's my explanation. Let's see if anyone buys it.

I get "strong" cycles and "weak" cycles. But overall, I think that my CH's are generally weaker than most people's (on this site at least) and more responsive to medications.

In other words, some people "got it" bad, and other people don't "got it" as bad. (I probably don't got it that bad.)

What you've got here is a lower strength CH cycle. Maybe you only get lower level CH's.

Alcohol will trigger and amplify CH's when your in cycle. But when you don't drink alcohol, you don't notice the CH's as much because it's so low level for you right now.

When you're in a stronger cycle, giving up the alcohol won't make a difference.

But maybe you're lucky and only get weaker cycles.

If you're someone with stronger CH's, giving up the alcohol doesn't help.

Title: Re: Want to boot yer CH?
Post by chewy on May 26^th, 2007, 7:08pm

Quote:

When you're in a stronger cycle, giving up the alcohol won't make a difference.

Ya think so huh?

Title: Re: Want to boot yer CH?
Post by MR_FLOOR on May 26^th, 2007, 10:48pm

[smiley=confused.gif] [smiley=confused.gif] [smiley=confused.gif] [smiley=confused.gif] [smiley=confused.gif] [smiley=confused.gif] [smiley=confused.gif]

Title: Re: Want to boot yer CH?
Post by Gator on May 27^th, 2007, 2:43pm

on 05/16/07 at 03:00:04, Turts wrote:

[smiley=beer.gif]

sorry, im with the rest.

doesnt trigger a cycle, but does trigger a hit when in cycle!

why cant i get a smiley that syas give me Jamesons Irish whiskey as well? ;;D

Turts

Here ya go, Turts!

http://www.brightok.net/~mnjday/misc/jamesons.gif

Title: Re: Want to boot yer CH?
Post by andrewjb on May 27^th, 2007, 6:50pm

on 05/27/07 at 14:43:21, Gator wrote:

http://www.brightok.net/~mnjday/misc/jamesons.gif

over ice, for me please. unless its "12 year old", then as it comes, youed not want to spoil nectar. andrew.

Title: Re: Want to boot yer CH?
Post by JeffB on May 27^th, 2007, 9:12pm

on 05/26/07 at 09:38:43, Dave wrote:

First, it's cut down on the salt and do more jazzersize. Now you come up with cutting out the beer. Man o man. We must be idiots not to come up with this shit sooner. ;;D ;;D

Ever thought it might be you changed from spitting to swallowing?? Hmm?

Title: Re: Want to boot yer CH?
Post by taraann on May 27^th, 2007, 9:17pm

Quote:

Ever thought it might be you changed from spitting to swallowing?? Hmm?

Well I hear swallowing cause's shiny hair.... wanna post those results??? anyone? hmm huh wanna huhuhuh [smiley=laugh.gif] [smiley=laugh.gif] [smiley=laugh.gif]

Title: Re: Want to boot yer CH?
Post by burnt-toast on May 28^th, 2007, 9:11am

CH forced me to give up beer entirely but it hasn't stopped CH. It only stopped the guaranteed attacks that would occur when I was still stupid enough to sneak in a few sips.

Tom

Title: Re: Want to boot yer CH?
Post by NoMoreCH on May 31^st, 2007, 3:04pm

Stopping alcohol all together is something I am not prepared to do, as I am quite the social drinker. I guess it is more accepted around where I live then in the U.S.

You wouldn´t believe the amounts of acohol the "average" person consumes in Spain. And how many of them smoke too. Phew...

Anyway I feel Beer and Wine (especially red) are triggers and giving them up will not end CH in general. Sorry. Hopefully you can continue this painfree spell for as long as possible.

If I must have a drink during my cycle period (like now) I use Red Bull (caffeine + Taurine drink) mixed with moderate amounts of Jameson Whiskey.

During non-cycles I can drink anything in any quantity, and then my favourite is simgle malt whiskey, preferably 15 Year old Springbank (Speyeside, Scotland) accompanied by a fine midsized cigar like Cohiba or Punch. Midsized. 8) During midday meals usually some Rosado (Rosé) or dry white. Sigh. Can´t wait until my cycle is over again, now with summer really kicking in over here and all... Patience, patience and more patience. I know the alternative when I sip the forbidden fruits during a cycle.... MAYHEM!

Good luck to you...

Title: Re: Want to boot yer CH?
Post by Sandy_C on May 31^st, 2007, 6:56pm

Well, NMCH, as you've read here, alcohol seems to be a major trigger for a CH hit for many of us, me included. Out of cycle, I have no problem with drinking alcohol.

In cycle, I'm strictly on the wagon. Why? Because it's not worth it to me to knowingly drink something that will cause me to be in pain. It's not worth it to go to a party among friends, have a drink, and have to excuse myself because I've caused my own misery.

My usual party drink is vodka and tonic, with a twist of lime. During cycle, in a social setting, my glass contains good old water, with that twist of lime. Why not the Red Bull without the Jamesons? The point is, even without the alcohol, I still have a good time, and the benefit is ..no hits.

It's a matter of choice. I choose not to invite the beast to my party.

Sandy

Title: Re: Want to boot yer CH?
Post by Jonny on May 31^st, 2007, 7:19pm

What I think about ducaros post.

I think he is new here and just worded his post wrong, I really dont think that he thinks he found a cure for everyone.....

You cant bag on a dude for being PF (even if he still gets Kip 2)

Good for you on the PF, ducaro.....the more you post the better you will get to know the folks here. ;)

Title: Re: Want to boot yer CH?
Post by GrandPotentate on May 31^st, 2007, 10:48pm

Beer doesn't seem to bother me between cycles, but can generate a hit within an hour while in cycle.

Here's the good news - I was PF for a week, so I went out and had myself quite a few beers last night. Still PF! Seems to be a good test to verify that the cycle is over.

More good news - I finally got hooked up with a Dr. who has heard of this and doesn't look at me like I'm crazy. Too bad it wasn't until a week after the last hit. We had a good talk, and plan to meet again next spring, hopefully a few weeks before cycle. Now I just have to hope he doesn't move to a new city.

Thanks to you all for the support! It pulled me through. Again.

Does anyone know of a good doctor referral site???

Title: Re: Want to boot yer CH?
Post by mynm156 on Jun 2^nd, 2007, 10:17pm

Dude I am glad that it has worked for you but I dont drink hardly ever and Im Chronic so............GOOD VIBES and I hope it stays on for you!