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New Message Board Archives >> Jul-Sep 2003 >> Question for smokers
(Message started by: peteycat on Aug 29th, 2003, 3:43pm)

Title: Question for smokers
Post by peteycat on Aug 29th, 2003, 3:43pm
  Reflecting on my attack history, I've come to wonder if there is a correlation between the amount I smoke and the frequency of my attacks. The worst of my attacks, a year ago, were at a time when I smoked particularly heavily. I cut down some over the last six or so months and have been relatively attack free. I experienced attacks the last two days, and lo! I've been smoking a little more heavily lately. Hmmm.
  This could, however, be just coincidental. There are several other factors that could have cause the greater frequency of my attacks last year. I was far more stressed and my other lifestyle factors were far more hectic. Hard to say. I haven't been paying close enough attention to say for sure if there is a correlation.
  Are there any fellow smokers out there who might be able to weigh in on the subject?

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by TomM on Aug 29th, 2003, 3:46pm
Previously, I would quit smoking while going through my set. Now I just cut back because I figure they're coming anyway so why deprive my self of life's little pleasures.
TomM

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by 5-string on Aug 29th, 2003, 4:40pm
I've been a smoker since the age of 15. I smoke Lucky Strike non filter. If I smoke a filtered cigarette I get a headache. Not a cluster headache, just a regular ol' headache. I smoke more or less the same throughout the year. I do smoke more at night and on weekends than during the day at work for obvious reasons.
During this current cycle,which started july 20, I pretty much have TomM's current philosiphy, But,for the first time ever, I bought a box of the Nicoderm patches. I put one on this morning and have'nt had a smoke all day. I don't want one either. I hope it works again tomorrow. If I come out of the cycle tomorrow or the next day without a cigarette( both are highly unlikely) I will surely let you know.
 See ya,
  Mark

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by Racer1_NC on Aug 29th, 2003, 4:43pm
I cut way back a time or 2 before meds just to see if it would help. I could notice no difference. Not claiming everyone would react this way, just my personal observation.

Bill

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by CryingInPain on Aug 29th, 2003, 4:44pm
Hello,

  I am also a smoker. I have been smoking for 11 years now. I have read smoking could be a trigger is some cases and some it doesnt bother at all.  I have noticed when my shadow starts growing if I have a cig my CH seems to hit strong and fast. So I avoid smoking if my eye starts doing its eye tricks and I know one is coming.
 On Monday I am quitting ( or attempting to )  I have to quit or my Dr will not give me O2 so when I quit maybe I will be alittle bit more help and let you know if my attacks get shorter or less intense......

 ~hugs~
      Jen

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by Drk^Angel on Aug 29th, 2003, 4:45pm
My latest cycle started while I wasn't smoking, so I can't say that quitting helped me at all.  All I know, the extra stress from being in cycle made sure I didn't stay smoke free for much longer.

PFDAN.............................. Drk^Angel

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by forgetfulnot on Aug 29th, 2003, 4:48pm
For the most part in past discussions on this subject the consensus seemed to be that smoking has no negative effect so far as clusters go, and some report various levels of relief smoking during a headache. Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, as is Imitrex.

It doesn't make any difference for me one way, or the other.


Lee

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by Kirk on Aug 29th, 2003, 5:11pm
Following a sports injury last year I didn't smoke for 7 months. I didn't see any difference in my attacks. Worse luck.


TTFN

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by UnsolvedEquation on Aug 29th, 2003, 5:45pm
I am a regular smoker. Although I quit for 10 months year before last...it made no change in my HA's ... so I lit back up !!

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by Mr.Happy on Aug 29th, 2003, 6:07pm

on 08/29/03 at 15:43:41, peteycat wrote:
Are there any fellow smokers out there........


Cheez........not sure you're going to find many smokers around here.......this is pretty much a Grape Nuts and Spring Water crowd.......heh.
The smoking thing has been batted around here since day one it seems......and there's no definitive answer.


on 08/29/03 at 15:43:41, peteycat wrote:
I was far more stressed and my other lifestyle factors......


That's kinda the problem.......none of us are living in a glass bubble/controlled environment 24/7. All kinds of stuff can affect us.........each one differently........etc.

Wouldn't suggest quitting while in cycle. Save that for better days. (I use a 5 gal. bucket for an ash tray when in cycle.)  Meanwhile, smoke `em if you got `em. Personally, I enjoy the part when the _last_ of the tobacco torches the filter...... sort of a "Free" kick on that coffin nail.
Thankfully, my tobacco company CARES about me, and prints a warning on the side of each pack. God bless the bastiches at Phillip Morris......

Still puffin, after all these years......
RJ

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by Mahle421 on Aug 29th, 2003, 6:16pm
Yes, Smoking constrics the blood vessels in your brain and elsewhere, which decreases the amount of O2 going to your brain.  I found that less smoking impacts the severity of the headaches and no smoking would be the best bet of course.  Any other questions?  Just shoot and I'll try my best to answer.

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by kim on Aug 29th, 2003, 6:20pm
Sometimes I smoke a butt during an attack.....

I began having clusters as a kid.  Never smoked.  I still believe the defining factors are there somewhere deeply imbedded in genetics and the brain.  But - that's just me.

I am a pack-a-day smoker.  Since the age of about 15.  I hate that I am addicted to ciggarettes.  I often wonder about the inner workings of the brain that brought me the joy of ciggs -- and the horror of clusters - are they family?  Perhaps...  May they both meet in hell one day and leave me the hell alone. :)

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by ClusterChuck on Aug 29th, 2003, 6:41pm
I have been smoking for over 40 years.  I could be convinced that being a smoker helps to bring the beast to you.  (which is directly the opposite of Kim's oppinion and experience above.  We will get out the boxing gloves and duke it out between us.  Most likely she will kick my ass!)  But once the beast has found residence, I don't think smoking matters.

I once quit for a year and a half (how the hell did I do that?  And why the fuck did I start up again?)  While I was a non-smoker, the beast made his normally scheduled visit (back when I was episodic, the good old days) and did not seem to take my lack of smoking into consideration at all.  Made no difference one way or the other for me.

Since I am a smoker, I might as well enjoy it.  And let's face it, that butt we light up, right after an attack, is almost as good as the one after sex, if I can remember that far back.

(Choke  Choke)  Let me (Cough Cough) light up (choke cough) another one.  AHHHH!!!!  (choke cough cough choke cough cough choke) Ain't it great!

Chuck

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by jonny on Aug 29th, 2003, 6:45pm

on 08/29/03 at 18:07:46, Mr.Happy wrote:
Thankfully, my tobacco company CARES about me, and prints a warning on the side of each pack. God bless the bastiches at Phillip Morris......


LMMFAO ;D

I prefer "Lung darts".....LOL ;D

...............................jonny

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by ksmiggy on Aug 29th, 2003, 6:51pm
I have found that smoking when reaching the almost at an end now point(pain eased, just annoying, but wouldn't take much to flare it up), helps finish the attack, prob just coincidence,have cut down with no impact on CH, but depends on yourself, all you can do is try, alot of the info on here works for some but nothing really works for all, try anything you think may help.

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by Cooked Brain on Aug 29th, 2003, 6:54pm

same goes for me ksmiggy, almost at the end it seems to end it off quicker.

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by kim on Aug 29th, 2003, 7:23pm
I believe that there is a "switch" residing deep in the brain of a cluster sufferer.  What intrigues me is how that "switch" connects with the wires that branch out into "compulsive" or "habitual" behaviors.......these include smoking ciggs, and all the other behaviors that I have come to see among other sufferers.  I'm not saying smoking has any affect on clusters.  I'm SAYING ........SUMPIN is working down under and worms it's way into the other plumbing supplies.....

...........did I just start babbling kimspeak agin?LOL.  Oh fuck it.  Gimme a cigg and jest FUCK IT ;D

PS:  I have been eating lots of red meat and leafy greens lately.  Stinky is BUFF.  Ready to kick butt. ;D

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by jonny on Aug 29th, 2003, 7:33pm
You talking about addiction Kim?

I think that was the first time I knew what you meant on one read of your post........LOL

Now buy me a pig....pee pants says so.....LMMFAO

..........................jonny ;D

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by FrankF on Aug 29th, 2003, 7:35pm
I have been smoking for 30 years, about 2 packs per day. I have had clusters (episodic) for 14 years. I haven't noticed any correlation between the two.

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by ClusterChuck on Aug 29th, 2003, 7:37pm
Ok Kim, I give !!!  You win!!!  Remember, I am old and bruise easily!  ... ... ... ...  Wait a minute, can you start beating on me again? ... ... Hmmm ... ...  I think .. I think ... OMG that turns me one !!!

BEAT ME  - - -  BEAT ME!!!

Chuck

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by kim on Aug 29th, 2003, 7:52pm
Maybe it's "addiction".........maybe it's more like "compulsive"  ........we all find a link to that wire from deep within.  Some find it in ciggs.......booze......all sorts of stuff.  I read somewhere that anerexia nervosa was even associated with lots of cluster sufferers.........some kind of compulsive thing that we all share in varying manifestations.  I still think it stems from ONE switch that no one has so far been able to definitively put to light.....OY! Now I'm tired.  LOL.  I need a beer.  LOL.  Brian keeps giving me the "evil eye"  LOL!!!!!.....ANYway.......that's my stack on dem cards/

Buy you a pig?  What AREYA .......SUMKINDADEAFARMA! ;D  

I love pee pants :)   Hey PEE PANTS:  I almost PEED MY PANTS SEVERAL TIMES TODAY ;D  WTF is wrong with me MAW? ???

Kim takes kids school shopping:  OH NO!  Potty! :o, Kim takes kids to lunch - while waiting on line - OH NO!  Potty! :o, Kim takes kids school shopping sumore, ---5 year old blows major fit over Scooby Doo sneakers -- OH NO! potty! :o...............Does this mean that soon I will be really fucked up?  Poor children. ::)  They have no idea how messed up their maw is. ;D


Now.........what was i sayin? ???

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by Charlie on Aug 29th, 2003, 8:33pm
Yikes Kim  :o  :D

I began tobacco about 5 years before my ch started in 1969. I quit 11 years before my ch ended in 1991. Harder hell to connect the dots there.

What I'll never understand though is someone not smoking for many many months and restarting. Too hard to quit to do that..... ::)

Bananas to me

Charlie

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by 5-string on Aug 29th, 2003, 8:46pm
I posted something earlier today about wearing a patch for the first time.                  I hav'nt had a smoke all day and I'm not happy about it!!!!......I want a f---n cigarette and I want it now.
My f---n head hurts and I want a cigarette.
Last night just my head hurt.

Smoke,smoke,smoke that cigarette...puf,puf,puf until you smoke yourself to death. Tell st.peter at the golden gate that you hate to make him wait,you just gota have another cigarette...

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by andy on Aug 29th, 2003, 8:47pm
I was on the nicotine patch in feburary and march of this year, then, BAM, got hit with the first cycle in 3 years. I think quitting was a trigger for me. So, i quit quitting and am back to normal at 2 packs a day and still PF         ............andy

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by kim on Aug 29th, 2003, 9:21pm
Fuck the nicotine patch.  I'll take a toddler patch if you puleeeezzze 8)

Help me lawd, i'm feelin low. :D

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by jonny on Aug 29th, 2003, 9:34pm

on 08/29/03 at 20:46:47, 5-string wrote:
Smoke,smoke,smoke that cigarette...puf,puf,puf until you smoke yourself to death. Tell st.peter at the golden gate that you hate to make him wait,you just gota have another cigarette...


You do know that your going to get hit by a car and die or spend the last ten years of your life in diapers shitting yourself before that ever happens dont you?

...........................................jonny

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by Zonie on Aug 29th, 2003, 10:28pm
I began smoking at 18; my epi-clusters began at 45; became chronic at 52 while I was smoking much less due to my employment.  Anyway, I'm still doing both, hurting and puffing away.

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by Donna on Aug 29th, 2003, 10:36pm
Started smoking at 15.  Quit smoking when I got married at 17 to save money for that first house.

Started clustering at 20.

Got divorced at 33.  Started smoking again at 33-needed a pacifier...should have gotten a binkey!

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by Charlie on Aug 29th, 2003, 11:36pm

Quote:
You do know that your going to get hit by a car and die or spend the last ten years of your life in diapers shitting yourself before that ever happens dont you?


Actually, continued smoking is one sure way to increase the likelihood of getting a really disabling stroke at 40 and spending the last half of your life wondering what it would be like to be able change your underwear by yourself.

We don't wanna see that Jonny but I know this has no effect. At least Jonny uses the same rationalization. Can't give him a hard time there.

Can't connect the unbelievable tobacco useage to CH yet.....Reprieved! Everyone can breathe wheeze a sigh of relief now. You win again kids ::)

Charlie

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by Lori on Aug 29th, 2003, 11:46pm
I smoked since 16 yrs old...just quit 9 months ago..WITH THE PATCH!   ;D
5-String-
It was easier with the patch as far as I was not climbing the walls or driving my family insane(for the most part). I knew I couldn't have a cig or I could get sick with that patch on..so keep up the good work. You can do it..just realize it will get easier each week. It really does.

ClusterCHuck..glad you are out of the hospital and you seem to be feeling better.

Peteycat..I guess I will have to wait and find out if not smoking will affect my clusters. I'm not due (at earliest) until Feb. for a cycle. (That's if the beast stays on schedule) Of course I hope he never returns, but I just somehow don't believe that to be the case. Smoking does seem to affect different people in different ways though doesn't it?
Have a great weekend everyone,,,,

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by 5-string on Aug 30th, 2003, 4:14pm
So according to Charlie,if I keep smoking just mabye I'll get a stroke and just maybe it'll kill the part of my brain that tells me my head hurts. And jonny says I'll end up shiting myself anyway,and...
my grandfather lived to be 97 smoking camel non-filters and died in a fire. I guess I should'nt get too bummed out if I can't quit. But I'm going to really try...just this once. Smoking can't help headaches..can they?
 seeya,
Mark.

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by Giovanni on Aug 30th, 2003, 4:42pm
Isn’t it a strange coincidence that cluster headaches are much higher statistically in smokers than non-smokers? This includes me. Could smoking contribute to the initial/beginning of these things?  Once they have started-that it for life.  I personally do not believe in the genetic cause because of the lack of family history with these things.   ???

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by Prense on Aug 30th, 2003, 5:43pm
CH started before I began smoking...The only thing I have noticed is if I light one up during an attack, the intensity increases for about 20 minutes or so.

Chris

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by JDH on Aug 30th, 2003, 5:51pm
Started smoking years before the beast arrived and plan on smoking years after it leaves 'cause I'm gonna outlive this bastard.

Jim


Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by totka on Aug 30th, 2003, 8:39pm
Why do you smoke particularly heavily? Maybe you are under pressure. And stress IS a trigger.

totka

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by taraann on Aug 30th, 2003, 9:40pm

on 08/29/03 at 21:21:18, kim wrote:
Fuck the nicotine patch.  I'll take a toddler patch if you puleeeezzze 8)

Help me lawd, i'm feelin low. :D


If you find one of those toddler patches I'll take a whole case of them  ;D

Title: Re: Question for smokers
Post by taraann on Aug 30th, 2003, 9:48pm
I started smoking at age 15 smoked till age 17 quit till about age 21 then i quit again when i got preggo at 22 then started again at age 23 and then quit again when preggo again and started again at age 25 lol ya think I would've stayed smoke free for good one of those damn times!  But unfortunately I dont wanna quit at all I enjoy it to friggin much.....btw had my first cluster about age 21...dont think it had anything to do with ch's but i dunno ???



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