Hi all, I am back in cycle after almost a year. I knew it was coming & got O2 ready.

Anyway, I usually only get 1-2 hits a night (around 10 pm) & it is always when I go to bed. Last night, I was laying in the couch at 7pm & not asleep & here he comes. Does anyone else get hits when they lay down?

Also, I have doing Batch's regimen & so far the hits have been milder.

Yes. I like to lay down listening to the news, but when in cycle, that's dangerous.  Even if it's just for 5-10 minutes. I suspect more blood to the head is some of the explanation, or maybe pressure on the neck.

Several years ago this question used to float aroud here regularly. It was interesting the variety of postures which triggered an attack. No explanation in the literature but it appears that a pressure point, varying with the individual, was operating.

My experience was sitting in a chair when the back pressed on myh kidneys. Sometimes an attack would erupt with amazing speed but I learned that jumping up at the firs sign would block the developmen.

Clear, individual variations is the norm.

I have something of a theory in this regard; I'd be interested in peoples' responses.

We know that this malady is caused deep in the brain in the Trigeminal nerve, and that it mainfests itself in different areas in and around the eyes/sinus.  When I was in cycle I had a spot near my scalp on the pain side that was always sensitive.  A kind of burning sensation when touched.  In fact, this spot was my test to see whether I was still in cycle - though the acute pain had been taken care of by Verapamil, this spot was tender throughout the whole cycle.

At night, I had to be careful to not let the "spot" get aggravated when sleeping, as it seemed to trigger more acute attacks.  Similarly, sneezing and sinus problems also seemed to generate pain, and I found that being out in the sun (squinting) for long periods would likely bring about an attack. 

So my theory is this -- though the main source of the problem is deep inside the brain, it seems possible to me that stimulation of some of the "external" sites can track back on the TG nerve and cause an attack? 

Or am I thinking too much?

Laying down, or is it lying down?, flat is a big NO! for me. I usually start the night with my head elevated but within a couple of hours I've slid down level and the CH wakes me. Then I spend the rest of the night sitting in the La-Z-Boy. This is the longest cycle I've ever had. It started last November but thanks to Verapamil it is almost over. I've spent 99% of the nights since November in the chair.
Now the good news. I got a new, top of the line La-Z-Boy recliner today. It is so comfortable that I'm almost looking forward to tonight's CH attack so I can try it out.  :-/

thanks for the responses. it would appear that laying down is a no-no for me too. but i have to sleep sometime. just have the O2 ready & nip it in the bud.

and i upped my D3 to 10,000 & had a blood test for my vitamin D level donethis morning. Batch's regimen definately seems to be making a difference in my cycle.  :)

April, have you ever tried Melatonin to dodge the nocturnal attacks? Start with 9 mg about 30 minutes before bedtime. Some go as high as 18 mg, you have to play with the dosing. Too low it doesn't stop the attacks, too high and you're a zombie all day. Some have found the best results from combining slow release and standard release to get them thru the whole night. Might be worth a try.

JOe

Guiseppi, i don't know if i need that. i only get 1 hit a night (yes i am one of the lucky ones) & i am usually not asleep yet. after the hit, i have no problem sleeping the rest of the night.

Yeah, not what you need then. "ONLY" one hit a night......funny how relative the beast can be with your thought process! ;)

Joe

When i read other people's experiences with the beast, i feel very lucky.

For me, it I can lay down but I need to avoid having my head tilted to the right. Tilting it to the left actually makes things feel better for some reason.

When I have an attack, tilting my head to the left usually seems to help, while tilting to the right seems to make it worse. Definitely related. Probably less blood to the affected area.

well, i had a PF weekend. 4 nights worth. i can't believe it. my cycle was too short so i wonder if it was the increase in D3 or the increase in my depakote. oh well, just as long as it continues.

For the record: it is when one is "lying down" that an attack may come. You lay down that magazine you are reading, cease lying on your back, and immediately launch toward the nearest O2 tank. Hope that helps. I remain, Your ever obscure master of antiquarian grammar, specializing in those areas no one really knows or cares about anymore anyway. blessings. lance

wimsey1 wrote on May 29^th, 2012 at 4:00pm:

For the record: it is when one is "lying down" that an attack may come. You lay down that magazine you are reading, cease lying on your back, and immediately launch toward the nearest O2 tank.

Nice. Now I know I've been out of the country too long! ;D

When I couldn't lay down I slept in the recliner.