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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> stress and sleep
        
(Message started by: tigerman on Dec 13^th, 2007, 9:03pm)

Title: stress and sleep
Post by tigerman on Dec 13^th, 2007, 9:03pm

I need some feedback people
I believe my CHs are brought on by stress more than change in season
Do CHs wake you up at nite cause you hit REM sleep?It seems most everyone here are chronic, I only get them every one or two years for 3-6 wks.HOT then cold,hot then cold help me or @ least keep me busy till the pain has left the building .

Title: Re: stress and sleep
Post by E-Double on Dec 13^th, 2007, 9:15pm

yours appear to be classic episodic clusters.

yes many get hit just when they enter a deep sleep.
it's most likely coming down from the stress rather than the stress itself.

most here are episodic.

there are several here who are chronic.

either way pain is pain and one must stay positive and persist

Title: Re: stress and sleep
Post by tigerman on Dec 13^th, 2007, 9:32pm

E-D that would be correct,After a 3-4 month stressful period in my life,say like watching dad die from cancer ect.., when my head should be getting back straight,thats when they strike

Title: Re: stress and sleep
Post by E-Double on Dec 13^th, 2007, 9:58pm

sorry brother!!
welcome to the family.

Title: Re: stress and sleep
Post by brewcrew on Dec 13^th, 2007, 10:02pm

For me it used to hit me almost 90 minutes exactly from the time I would fall asleep.

Also, re: stress - it appears as though you start getting hit once the stress lets up, not WHEN you are stressed. Many around here find the same thing.

Title: Re: stress and sleep
Post by tigerman on Dec 13^th, 2007, 10:20pm

The doc put me on inderal(HBP) 4 days in,guess it takes a while to work?Got some flexeril,should I take before bed?Something tells me no.Zomig nasal spray works but only take once a day,you know too much of a good thing. I have a 4 yr old to keep the blood going.Wish I didnt have to join the club,yet the last 3 hours have been peaceful.Uh oh its almost bed time.I do appreciate the support.

Title: Re: stress and sleep
Post by brewcrew on Dec 13^th, 2007, 10:33pm

Med questions (like when to take or how much) need to be directed at your doc. I hope you get some sleep.

Title: Re: stress and sleep
Post by tigerman on Dec 13^th, 2007, 10:45pm

10-4 brewcrew the flexeril was given to me by a neurologist 3 months ago for my jaw,they didnt seem to do much except make me sleepy.people on here have CHs she doesnt thats why i am asking.Just dont want to give myself a cluster in the nite if I can prevent.plus these are docs from alabama ha ha ha ha

Title: Re: stress and sleep
Post by brewcrew on Dec 13^th, 2007, 10:52pm

I don't know what flexeril is, so I don't want to give you any bad advice.

Title: Re: stress and sleep
Post by tigerman on Dec 13^th, 2007, 10:55pm

muscle relaxer

Title: Re: stress and sleep
Post by txbeck on Dec 14^th, 2007, 12:10am

Tigerman, Why would you not take the flexeril at night? I find that muscle spasms of my neck and shoulders seem to be part of the CH cycle and the longer I can stave off the spasms the longer I keep the beast at bay.

Melatonin (over the counter) before bedtime is helpful to reduce nighttime hits also. I take 12 mg. Others report taking 9 to 18 mg. See what works for you.

Title: Re: stress and sleep
Post by tigerman on Dec 14^th, 2007, 7:48am

no more flexeril 1130 45min 445 30min 600 25 min no more meds going to work happy heads people

Title: Re: stress and sleep
Post by Bob_Johnson on Dec 14^th, 2007, 8:44am

Inderal is an old med used for migraine; no application for cluster. Ditto for flex.--no value for cluster.

The relationship of CH to sleep appears, from current research, to be related to the drop in oxygen level in our body when we sleep.

I'm concerned that you are not dealing with a doc who is up to date on treating CH. These links will give you a listing of the most current therapies.
----
http://www.headachedrugs.com/pdf/ha2006.pdf Dr. Robbins site. Then explore the entire site by deleting everything following. com/ and then hit enter.
=========================================================================
Here is a link to read and print and take to your doctor. It describes preventive, transitional, abortive and surgical treatments for CH. Written by one of the better headache docs in the U.S. (2002)

http://www.plainboard.com/ch/chtherapy.pdf

Title: Re: stress and sleep
Post by tigerman on Dec 14^th, 2007, 6:09pm

Started to get one @1:00pm slammed a NOS.The cluster never panned out.SWEET.Again @4:00 red bull plus fingers on head to get the circulation moving ,feel better.Bought some Melatonin.Hope I can get some sleep tonite

Title: Re: stress and sleep
Post by vietvet2tours on Dec 14^th, 2007, 6:14pm

How bout oxygen?

Potter

Title: Re: stress and sleep
Post by Guiseppi on Dec 14^th, 2007, 6:32pm

Read the link on the left about oxygen. After 30 years of battling these things it is still my number one abortive medication. The key points:

You have to start it at the first hint of a headache. You must breathe pure oxygen, using a NON RE BREATHER or CLUSTER MASK. Rebreather masks don't allow pure enough oxygen into your lungs, nasal canulas are completely worthless. You will need a high flow regulator up to 15 LPM.

I can abort a headache in less then 10 minutes often times closer to 6-8, that's completely pain free. It's great for the night time hits because it doesn't jack you up so you can fall right back to sleep again.

If you haven't tried it yet it's worth having in your arsenal.

Guiseppi

Title: Re: stress and sleep
Post by tigerman on Dec 14^th, 2007, 9:48pm

o2?I have had clusters only 4 other times in 6yrs 2-6 weeks then it will go away for 2 yrs 1 time I had consecutive yrs.Only had samples of the different migraine meds.So i usually suffer.This time though 3-4 times in a 24 hr. period.My wife thinks the pain is worse this time around.I think I just cant handle it as well.By the time I get o2 they will probably be gone for another year or two.I hope!I get a week off @ christmas and I bet by the time I go back to work they will be gone.Once again I hope.Something seems different this time though...........For some reason I like pleasure spiked with pain,yet where did the pleasure go???? ha Ha Ha Maybe I can think of something that can help all of you out there,by time its over?! 1st chance I have I will see if the DOC can get me some o2.

Title: Re: stress and sleep
Post by brewcrew on Dec 14^th, 2007, 10:22pm

Next cycle in two years? No worries - O2 doesn't go bad. Get some if you can. There's always room in a closet for long-term storage.

Title: Re: stress and sleep
Post by tigerman on Dec 14^th, 2007, 10:31pm

So for some reason oxy doesnt flow through the body as well when your in a cycle?thats why you use it to halt the attack?