Haven't been here in a while...
whats up everyone ?
I just got remembered that 2-3 years ago (before i was diagnosed with CH) I tried some alternative treatments to reduce the headaches since the Docs gave me prescriptions against Migraines and they didn't help..I tried Acupuncture and it sort of helped me for a month and then it just was a waste of money.. did anyone here try it ?
I have noticed also that running actually can reduce the amount of headaches, can anyone support that ? or its just my "cool off" period ?

Hey Chopper,

You're not alone in finding that running tends to decrease the frequency of your CH.  The best explanation for this phenomenon likely rests with the fact that a good cardiovascular workout tones the cardiovascular system and improves lung functions.

As arterial carbon dioxide (CO2) buildup and low oxygen levels tend to favor the cluster headache triggering mechanism, anything that improves the O2 - CO2 exchange in the lungs works in your favor.  It's still anecdotal at this point but it also appears a toned up vascular system is also more resistant to the CH triggering mechanism.

I've also found a diet high in alkaline forming and anti-inflammatory foods tends to reduce the frequency of my attacks as well.  A diet like this also tends to make oxygen therapy at flow rates that support hyperventilation more effective with much shorter abort times.

Take care,

V/R, Batch

Accupuncture has been a total flop for CH.  I've heard good things about it for a lot of different things, but I know of no one who has successfully treated CH with it, but I know of several who have had significant weight loss in the wallet area from it.

Jerry

chopper922 wrote on Sep 11^th, 2010 at 2:26pm:

I have noticed also that running actually can reduce the amount of headaches, can anyone support that ? or its just my "cool off" period ?

The last three years I've had a far more physical job with longer hours than previous sedentary desk jobs.  It's not running but physically active enough daily that I can't stay above 150 lbs very long, which is less than my high school drivers license, so not self-typical.

After the first two years a noticeable difference happened, actually pf for six months and since then manageable with only 240mg of verap a day, hardly enough to feel any side effects.  Occasional breakthroughs are easily handled.  This is the best time ever since CH began episodically twice a year then chronic for six.

Maybe age is a factor, I'll find out when I can't maintain the rigors in a couple years, but comparatively, one of the worst times was sitting home at the computer looking for a job three years ago.