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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Cluster headaches and allergies
        
(Message started by: sbjakecc on Feb 6^th, 2008, 10:49am)

Title: Cluster headaches and allergies
Post by sbjakecc on Feb 6^th, 2008, 10:49am

Hello folks,
Just a little bit about my history. For years, usually in the fall during the change of season, I would suffer from what I was sure were sinus headaches. Many trips to the doctor's office with the same complaint would usually end up with prescriptions for antibiotics and pain killers. I even had a CAT Scan and MRI which showed no problems. The headaches would return but presciption pain killers didn't even help. I knew something else was going on. After doing some investigative work by myself on the internet I came to the conclusion I was suffering from cluster headaches.
A visit to an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor confirmed the diagnosis and resulted in allergy testing which showed I was very allergic to common molds present in my area. I was placed on an antihistamine, Allegra (fexofenadine), which I have taken daily for the past five years. Since then I have not suffered even one cluster headache.
Apparently my environmental allergies triggered the headaches. I'd be glad to continually take an antihisamine for the rest of my life if it means no more cluster headaches.

Title: Re: Cluster headaches and allergies
Post by monty on Feb 6^th, 2008, 10:59am

In the old days, cluster headaches were sometimes called histamine headaches. There is no doubt that histamine is involved, but the research emphasis moved away from allergies to the brain.

Of course, histamine is still a factor, and some people benefit from antihistamines, others benefit from a histamine desensitization procedure (IV drip). Great if it works for you, worth a try.

Title: Re: Cluster headaches and allergies
Post by hotprestwich on Feb 6^th, 2008, 12:03pm

could also be just a long remission time,
ive also gone 4-5 years between cycles,
hope it continues anyway, and that the beast never visits you again,

Title: Re: Cluster headaches and allergies
Post by jace77 on Feb 12^th, 2008, 8:16pm

on 02/06/08 at 10:59:38, monty wrote:

We just did histamine desenitization with limited results, decreased the number and intensity, but they persisted, now doing dhe sub cut, the doctor said it can take up to a month for the histamine to take full affect, so hopefully the 1-2 punch will put it remission for a bit.