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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2002 >> Allergy Medication
        
(Message started by: doogienj on Mar 26^th, 2002, 6:53am)

Title: Allergy Medication
Post by doogienj on Mar 26^th, 2002, 6:53am

Hi Cluster Victims,

I am a 36-year-old male that has suffered from cluster headaches since childhood. After suffering from chronic sinus infections and discomfort as well, I started wondering if the two could be related.

I visited my neurologist who sent me on to an allergist. At first I though it was silly as I never had any allergic symptoms such as runny nose or eyes. It turned out that I was allergic to dust mites, mold, cat and some other things. So I was put on a daily dose of Flonase nose spray and Zyrtec, which I think is an antihistamine.

This was almost two years ago. My sinus problems are gone, and I have not had any cluster headaches either, until today.

After having not taken my allergy medication for the last two weeks, today I had my first cluster headache in over two years. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not. All I know is that from now on I’ll be taking my allergy medication every day no matter what. Maybe you should pay a visit to an allergist. I hope it was my solution, and could be yours as well.

I would be interested in hearing experiences from others that have allergies and/or are taking the same allergy medications.

Good Luck,

Douglas

Title: Re: Allergy Medication
Post by Karla on Mar 26^th, 2002, 1:43pm

I did persue the allergy route and got tested. I am allergic to nothing. After listening to my description of my headaches my dr. said he doubted any allergy could cause anything that painfull and sugested I see a headache specialist. I explained I had and was diagnosed with cluster headaches but just wanted to make sure allergies were not playing a role in this somehow. Cover all my bases so to speak.

Title: Re: Allergy Medication
Post by Tom on Mar 26^th, 2002, 4:52pm

Hi doogienj,

nice post but your report is not significant yet, please add some more informations about your CH:

- were you periodic or chronic ?

- if periodic: What was the rhythm of your CH ? How long where your usual pain free
periods ?

- please describe exactly your CH symptoms

- what meds did work for you before the antiallergic wonder therapy ?

An advice: FLONASE® = fluticasone = a corticoid, and it's not suited for the long term or even permanent use.

Thomas

Title: Re: Allergy Medication
Post by doogienj on Mar 27^th, 2002, 6:20am

In response to your questions, here are my symptoms that have been diagnosed as cluster headaches by three different neurologists:

Headaches cycles of 8-10 weeks.
Usually twice a day, 30-45 minutes each
Same time every day
Pain is isolated to the right side only
Location - Above right eye, temple, side of neck

Before the allergy medication I was taking Imitrex that would make the attacks a little shorter and less painful.
My point was not to say that the allergy medication os the proper treatment, but maybe it was the allergies that prompted the cluster headaches, and by treating the root of the cause eliminate the headaches.

Only 2-3 times have I ever had a "regular" migraine, and the pain can not even be compared.

I have before had breaks of a couple of years, especially when younger. So time will tell.

Good luck,

Douglas

Title: Re: Allergy Medication
Post by Tom on Mar 27^th, 2002, 6:55am

Thanks for your reply, Douglas,

your last phrase revealed the problematic side of your "discovery" of a possible connection between CH and allergies, respective the positive effects of an antiallergic treatment on CH:

" I have before had breaks of a couple of years, especially when younger. So time will tell. "

That's the crutial point: TIME WILL TELL..., you unfortunately got a new bout now and it's very probable that the pain free time before was only a normal periodic CHead's remission and n o t the effect of the antiallergic therapy !

ATB ! Thomas