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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2003 >> Finally!!  and a question or two
        
(Message started by: Grueven on Apr 23^rd, 2003, 3:16pm)

Title: Finally!! and a question or two
Post by Grueven on Apr 23^rd, 2003, 3:16pm

Reading the testimonials on this site blew my mind. I've gotten used to (or as used to as i can get holding the left side of my head in my hands and looking like i just got punched in the eye) what i thought were just intense and short lived sinus headaches...but the testimonials absolutely hit home...

Question: I've seen alot of posts about alcohol triggering attacks. What I've noticed over the past few years is the onset of these headaches with the combination of marijuana and alcohol...anyone have any insight into this?

-Dave

Title: Re: Finally!! and a question or two
Post by CJohnson on Apr 23^rd, 2003, 3:24pm

Marijuana is a vasodilator. The bloodshot eyes one gets from smoking it is caused by dilation of the blood vessels in the eyes. The pain from cluster headaches is said to be caused by abnormal dilation of blood vessels along the trigeminal nerve. There may or may not be a correlation.
Alcohol is a trigger for many (but not all) of us. I don't know why.
-Curtis

Title: Re: Finally!! and a question or two
Post by NewHeadPLZ on Apr 23^rd, 2003, 3:33pm

Grueven,

Unfortunately, that's how I found out I had them. Couple of beers certain times of the year, and I'd get a headache. Ya, smoke as well. They progressively got worse and I hardly ever drink when I'm in a cycle. (going on 6 months now) >:(

Art

Title: Re: Finally!! and a question or two
Post by Rich C on May 3^rd, 2003, 10:16am

Once the cluster starts, I won't touch alcohol until at least 7 days since the last attack - bad news. As for the other stuff, sometimes it's ok, sometimes it causes major head pounding. I tend to stay away from everything. I've had these 23 years now, but my neuro has only prescribed the prevents (verapimil, lithium, sansert, depakote, prednisone) & drugs (fiornal, stadol). I don't see any mention on this board about using the narcotics, so I'm probably out of line. Decent narcotics will keep you in place & stop the potential for self harm.

Hope things get better

Title: Re: Finally!! and a question or two
Post by cbolony on May 3^rd, 2003, 5:15pm

Quote:

I've seen alot of posts about alcohol triggering attacks

Grueven alcohol is a trigger for me in cycle and sometimes out of cycle.After your cycle ends wait a week or two before you have drink.I know sometimes it's hard because you want a few beers or drinks with your friends but just dealing with the beast is a real mother fucker no need to add extra CH if you don't have to.

Title: Re: Finally!! and a question or two
Post by kingsiren on May 5^th, 2003, 1:01am

It's strange because I was a heavy drinker for 10 years and never once got a Cluster Fuck. I was 4 years sober when they hit me. As for marijuana, smoking doesn't help the CH's themselves but it gives me relief from the long periods of nausea and depression I suffer in between rounds. I also take Zanax from time to time and Vicoden for chronic back pain. I don't know if they have any effect on the CH's.

Title: Re: Finally!! and a question or two
Post by beach954 on May 7^th, 2003, 4:10pm

Smoked for 20 years until these things came along. I rarely smoke now as I have noticed that it can trigger an attack. I am chronic and rarely go a day without an attack but I have noticed that rag weed seems more likely to trigger an attack than Kripto. Not sure why but I have definatly noticed a difference between the two. Alchohol is definatly a nono for me as it almost always triggers an attack.