Hi, all
First post here.
While I haven't officially been diagnosed, I'm pretty sure that it is CH that I suffer from.
The attacks started when I was in my mid-20's. I get my main bout in late November/Early December, and (usually) a lesser bout in July. I thought I'd got lucky this year until 2 nights ago!!!
Many of the symptoms match perfectly, a bout can last anything from 2-4 weeks for me. I get one bout nightly...usually starting at 3-4am, sometimes earlier, although always at the same time each night during a bout). I am a complete night owl, but, even so, when I am already asleep, I get woken from the pain.
The blocked nose/slight nasal discharge is also present, as well as pain behind my eyes. Also, the vein on the side of the attack about 1cm obove the eye becomes pronounced, above I also get secondary pain in my teeth sometimes. The one thing I don't *think* I get is the drooping eyelid.
I have been tried with a number of pain killers - Co-Codamol 30/500 has a very SLIGHT effect, no other pain killer has any effect at all....nor do migrane tablets.
The one thing that seems to have some effect in reducing the length and ferocity of attacks is Cetirizine Dihydrochloride, an anti-histimine, although I'm not aware that this is documented anywhere. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.
I am looking for any tips that can help during a bout. (although, if possible, tips that don't cost a whole lot of money as I'm not rich).
I shall share some of my own....
For minor or moderate stages, putting my head above a flue of hot air (calor gas fire, toaster etc) gives some mild relief (be VERY careful if you attempt this). Also, in the very mild stages, cupping my hand over my nose & mouth gives some mild relief.
Now for the unusual bit...when I first went to the doctor, I was told it was likely that I was suffering from migranes. I was told to note down what I ate, drank etc. to try to establish a pattern.
I went further as no ccorrelation seemed to be forthcoming.
I made a Calc file (Like Excel, but, with good old pull down menus rather than that annoying ribbon thing), and jotted down anything and everything.
Eventually, I spotted one correlation (which the subsequent years have borne out). Weather related. Actual weather type, or tempreature appeared to make no difference (although changes in tempreature eg. going from a cold room to a warm one or vice versa seemed to make things worse), but, one thing, particularly during the November/December bout seemed to make a difference - wind DIRECTION.
An easterly or north easterly direction greatly reduced or even killed a bout (I got off really lightly last Nov/Dec). A westerly or south westerly over the bout period meant that I was in for a bad/lengthy bout.
This is certainly something I haven't seen documented anywhere. Sadly, here in South Wales, UK, the prevailing wind direction is south westerly.
Anyway, any tips etc. would be greatly appreciated