Lancashire Lad,

Actually, it was the B-52s that used "Window" a type of chaff made of black paper with aluminum foil backing cut exactly 27 by 2 centimetres (10.63 in × 0.79 in) and packed into bundles each weighing 1 pound (0.45 kg).  It was a klingon tactic and fascinating bit of war fighting history developed during WWII by both sides to jam the first radars. 

Both sides knew about the technology but refrained from using it in fear the other side would use it on them... It was first used by the Brits against German radars followed shortly thereafter by the Bosh during the Battle of Britten to jam Chain Home, or CH for short, the AMES Type 1 (Air Ministry Experimental Station) early warning radars.

I've spent a good bit of time at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford, UK...  Five trips there to be exact...

Most of the Vietnam era Fighter and Attack aircraft were equipped with the ALE-29 Chaff dispensers...  We carried two 24-shot dispensers each loaded with a mix of flares and radar jamming aluminized fiberglass bundles cut to jam S, C and X-band radars. (E, G, and I band radars in current NATO lingo). 

One bundle was sufficient to create a protective radar reflective decoy cloud for A-4 and F-8 aircraft

We rarely wasted any chaff on radar controlled AAA...  Our Active DECM gear coupled with a simple jink in altitude was all that was needed in most cases to spoof radar controlled AAA.

The Soviet made Fan-Song, SA-2 Sam fire control radar as well as the Spoon Rest and Flat Face long range early warning radars coupled with the Side Net height-finders were another story...

We would routinely pick up the Spoon Rest and Flat Face early warning radars on our RAW gear as soon as we climbed above 5000' after launching from the carrier, 90 miles from the beach on Yankee Station...and the Side Net height-finding radars about the time we crossed the beach.

Fortunately, we had superior weapons systems, avionics, tactics and SOPs written in blood, so we were able to detect these radars long before they could detect us, and accurately identify the threat sectors long before we flew into their threat envelopes.

By the way, I was serious... deadly serious, about the threat from Statins...  If you could increase your knowledge base on the risks from this Big Pharma, AHA and AMA medical hoax... we'd like to hear your opinion...

Take care,

V/R, Batch

How Timely... A great article titled:

Statin Disaster, Heart Disease and Magnesium – Change in Cholesterol Recommendations

See the following link:

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A zinger quote from the article...

"Statins are the most profitable drugs in the history of Big Pharma. Statins fail to prevent or treat heart disease for almost everyone who takes them and they are causing more harm than any other class of medications. Dr. David Brownstein shows us why the cholesterol = heart disease hypothesis is a failed paradigm and why the drugs should be pulled off the market. My advice is to run from Your Statin Recommending Cardiologist. "

Take care, read and heed...  I don't push bum gouge...

V/R, Batch

NHS,

Good question...  and fascinating topic that I allow myself to indulge in on occasion... and this is one of them.

I've several ideas, but none that would rise to the level of a hypothesis.  You've already brought up some excellent candidates.  I'm also in complete agreement that a healthy and happy gut plays a role in CH prevention.

Without time to compose my thoughts properly on paper and sleep on them, the following will likely be a stream of consciousness... with holes and fragments...  so please bear with me...

(Editor's Note - I've tidied up most of the dangling participles and disconnected thoughts after a pleasant combat nap.)

I start with the age old question of genes or environment...  With respect to CH, I think there's sufficient evidence to make a case for causality based on a combination of both genes and environment.

The following quote by Motulsky A., Nutrition and genetic susceptibility to common diseases. Am J Clin Nutrition, kind of sums it all up...  at least for me...

"Dr. Williams coined the term "genetotrophic disease" to describe diseases which resulted from genetically determined nutritional metabolic needs not being met by the individual and which result in poor gene expression. Motulsky has recently argued that many of the common degenerative diseases are the result of the imbalance nutritional intake with genetically determined needs for good health."

With that as a preamble, my base level causal factor lies in the morphology of the trigeminal ganglia and surrounding vascular structures.

When the arterial structures in and around the trigeminal ganglia are so arranged as to impinge or chafe any part of the ganglia, externally or within during vasodilation, there's a cascade effect of pain emanating from within the vascular structures and the transmission media, (the trigeminal ganglia and the three trigeminal nerves).

Natural asymmetry occurring during embryo phase of development could easily account for the one-sided nature of the CH disorder.

Although the vascular theory of CH pathogenesis has taken a back seat to the neurogenic theory, (I spent two days discussing this very topic with Dr. Arne May, MD, at his UKE facilities, University of Hamburg Medical School in 2009). Even he says vasodilation still plays a role, but downstream from the neurogenic initiation. 

In as much as I've a dated degree in chemistry circa 1966 with requisite courses in biochem, instrumental analysis and physics, I look at the cluster headache syndrome much like the fire triangle made up of heat, fuel and oxygen.  If you set the stage with any two of these components in place, the third component becomes a trigger and we have fire... or in our case with the CH disorder, we get hit. 

Accordingly, if the trigeminal ganglia's  vascular structures are not arranged properly, we have one corner of the fire triangle, hence we're predisposed or susceptible to CH.

The really fascinating chemistry takes place at the genetic level. They didn't start the $3 Billion dollar human genome project until 1990, and didn't declare it complete until 2003 when they had sequenced and mapped out most of human genome...   

BTW, I used to walk by a display of the hardware and stacks of notebooks used to sequence the human genome at NIH at least once a month for over 5 years...  I was a study participant in three back-to-back clinical trials for an eye condition at the National Eye Institute, NIH...

Since 2003, there have been tens of thousands of papers and studies involving the genetic underpinnings of nearly every degenerative disorder known to man.

There is no question in my mind that the success of the anti-inflammatory regimen with vitamin D3 as a CH preventative represents an "out of the box" new insight into the pathogenesis of CH...  It just needs to be reverse engineered to look at causality.

I'm also firmly convinced that the mechanism of action for this regimen lies with the autocrine/paracrine signaling role vitamin D3 plays at the genetic level triggering genetic expression. 

This is where a 1,25(OH)2D3 molecule combines with one of the retinoid molecules (vitamin A) to form a dimer bridge that then attaches one end to a vitamin D receptor (VDR) and the other to a Retinoid X Receptor (RXR) in a vitamin D response element (VDRE) on a candidate gene.

When this happens, and Dr. Robert Heaney explains it best by saying, "vitamin D3 unlocks the cells genetic library of instructions and the cell starts executing them" i.e., genetic expression.

During genetic expression, the cell starts performing one or more of the following activities:  it replicates, differentiates, starts producing or inhibiting the production of peptides and other active chemicals that signal or control other biological processes elsewhere throughout the body, or the cell dies.

There's a mind blowing (pardon the pun) study titled, Distribution of the Vitamin D receptor and 1 α-hydroxylase in human brain, Eyles et al, published in the Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy in 2005. This study found VDR and 1α-OHase, the enzyme that's needed to hydroxylate 25(OH)D to 1,25(OH)2D3, throughout most of the brain tissue. 

However, it's significant to note, they were found in the highest concentrations in the trigeminal ganglia and hypothalamus. (Ι'm confident Dr. Arne May would love this finding... Now we're talking the neurogenic head waters of CH pathogenesis.).

If we follow this confluence of findings and add in calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), which several studies have found is produced in the trigeminal ganglia and elevated in the bloodstream during the pain phase of CH and migraine... we have a possible trigger. 

Adding one more factoid (and assumption), that vitamin D3 has been shown to down regulate/suppress the production of CGRP, (quite possibly through genetic expression), we have a viable candidate mechanism of action for vitamin D3's capacity to prevent CH.

I say possible candidate, as a 2010 study identified 2776 genomic positions occupied by the VDR and 229 genes with significant changes in expression in response to vitamin D3...  Sooo... there are thousands of other candidates for genetic expression made possible by vitamin D3... and any one or more of them could easily play a role in a mechanism of action inhibiting CH pathogenesis...

That said, I'll stick with the CGRP gambit for now as there is corroborating evidence provided by none other than the good Dr. Peter Goadsby and Dr. David Dodick.  These two neurologist have tag teamed on a pair of phase 2 RCTs involving the use of two monoclonal antibodies, ALD403 (Alder BioPharmaceuticals Inc) and LY2951742 (Eli Lilly and Company), both with an appetite for CGRP... to prevent migraine headaches...

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Given there is sufficient overlap in the pathophysiology of CH and migraine and that CGRP is a common component in both headache disorders, it's not unreasonable to expect these two MABs will eventually find their way into the treatment of CH...  at an average cost of $5000/week... 

Unfortunately, all biologics/MABs carry a long list of side effects that range in order from nasty to down-right onerous including: compromised immune system, life threatening infections like tuberculosis and pneumonia, fungal infections and a growing list of cancers.  Watch the TV ads for Humira (Adalimumab) and you'll get an even longer list of adverse side effects.

Having taken one of the MABs, daclizumab, (a potent immunosuppressant used following kidney transplants to prevent rejection), during one of the clinical trials at NIH... experiencing squamous cell carcinoma and eosinophilic meningitis within two months after starting it...  I'll stick with the anti-inflammatory regimen with 10,000 IU/day vitamin D3 and the cofactors at ~ 40 cents/day to prevent my CH...

As a side note... it's entirely possible that serum vitamin D3 enters the target nerve cells where it is hydroxylated into 25(OH)D and on to 1,25(OH)2D3 so as to initiate genetic expression rather than waiting for vitamin D3 to be hydroxylated first to 25(OH)D, then entering the target nerve cell.  This might appear to be a minor difference in the overall process, but it speaks to the initial speed of response.

In looking at the favorable response time data after start of regimen from the online survey of CH'ers taking the anti-inflammatory regimen to prevent their CH, the shape of this response curve matches the absorption of vitamin D3 into the blood stream...

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As you can see the serum concentration of 25(OH)D doesn't reach a maximum concentration until the 5th to 6th day after dose.

Moving on... Your comment on the human microbiome, the friendly colonies of flora and fauna living in the human GI tract from mouth to tail pipe, playing a role in the pathogenesis of CH has just as much merit as anything I've suggested.

When you consider the human microbiome represents several orders of magnitude greater biodiversity than the human genome, and many of these wee beasties (Leeuwenhoek), respond to vitamin D3, the number of possible CH causal factors are huge...

Moreover, as most (70%) of the immune system lies within a 4 inch radius of the GI tract, it's entirely possible that CH could easily fall among the other 80 degenerative conditions that ride under the heading of autoimmune disorders...

That throws the paradigm that cluster headache is a neurological disorder that should be treated only by a neurologist, into a cocked hat...

Clearly, neurologists specializing in headache disorders are better trained to diagnose CH...  That said, until the anti-inflammatory regimen becomes part of the standards of care recommended treatments for CH... I'm not sure that training equates to effective treatment.

Moreover, CH'ers might be better served by seeing an endocrinologist, immunologist or practicing nutritionist after being diagnosed for CH by a neurologist... 

So there you have the latest thoughts on the pathogenesis of CH currently rattling around my 70 year old brain...

Take care,

V/R, Batch

Pattik,

Your comment on VIP is spot on...  You've made an excellent point and observation that clearly implicate the gut as playing a significant role in the pathogenesis of CH...

There's an interesting 1978 article on Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide by Bryant in the Journal of Clinical Pathology that provided a recap of available research done at the time on VIP. 

His article found VIP is produced in the sublingual salivary glands and has a serum half-life in humans of 62 to 85 minutes. (sound familiar).

VIP is found throughout the GI tract with the highest concentrations nearly double found elsewhere in the GI tract, occurring in the large intestine.

At face value, this finding makes a case for evacuating the bowel at the first sign of a CH... After all, in the absence of an effective CH abortive, there's really nothing better to do.  Even with an abortive like one of the triptans, there's still the time needed for it to take effect that could be spent more productively...

Many thanks.

V/R, Batch

Colin,

You've got a sound plan with the probiotics.   The only other things I'd suggest would be to pick up some 30 mg zinc tablets and take one a day for a week to see what happens.  I'd also suggest fruit/berry smoothies in the morning. 

Fruit/berry smoothies are a great source of antioxidants and the little bit of fiber we can't digest makes a great meal for the friendly colonies of wee beasties you're trying to recolonize. 

I make mine with a fresh pineapple spear, a banana, a half cup of blueberries or black berries... (I found the frozen blueberries to be less expensive), a big handful of strawberries, an orange or an apple, a quarter inch slice of fresh ginger, a handful of fresh spinach, and one stock of kale or three to four spears of raw asparagus. 

I usually add a half cup of cranberry juice or coconut water to get the blending process going without cavitation then select the highest speed or press the smoothie button and let the blender puree the contents into a purple colored milkshake consistency.  The above proportions fill two large glasses so my wife gets one too.  They're quite tasty.

Big straws help...  My wife gets irritated when my moustache turns purple.

There are lots of great smoothie recipes at the following link: 

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Take care,

V/R, Batch

Colin,

Smoothies, GOMES diet and probiotics are great additions to the anti-inflammatory regimen as a coordinated therapy to control CH.  I do all three...

Unfortunately, eating the frequent PB&J sandwich (a comfort food that tastes so good), likely diminishes or compromises the beneficial effects of the fruit smoothie, GOMBS diet and process of repairing or recolonizing the gut's microbiome by taking probiotics.  This plays into the possibility that CH is yet another disorder in the growing list of autoimmune disorders.

Research into the relationship between autoimmune disorders and the human microbiome have have resulted in glutens being placed on the "Do not Eat" list of foods for a growing number of the autoimmune disorders as they contribute to a "leaky gut" (increased intestinal permeability)...

Sugar is likely fueling a condition called small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). "SBIO results in the excessive fermentation of dietary carbohydrates and the accompanying flatulence, bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation."

"Autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis, are characterized by increased intestinal permeability secondary to non-competent tight junctions that allow the passage of antigens from the intestinal flora, challenging the immune system to produce an immune response that can target any organ or tissue in genetically predisposed individuals."

There's an excellent article in Today's Dietician, that goes into detail on this topic at the following link: 

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Accordingly, after a lot of reading, personal experiences and reports from other CH'ers, It's clear to me that the immune system plays a significant role in CH. 

That said, it's not clear at this point if that role is directly involved as a participant in the pathogenesis of CH or indirectly involved as a competing consumer of vitamin D3 and its metabolites.  Either way, as 70% of our immune system is located in and around the gut, having a happy and healthy gut (microbiome) is an important part of a healthy immune system...

How am I doing?  Well...  let's just say I've done better...  As you can see in the first photo below, the Red Alder catkins loaded with pollen are blooming.

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The house and yard are surrounded by hundreds of 100 foot tall mature Red Alder trees.

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As a result... we've been having a crap storm of Alder pollen for the last week and the worse is yet to come as the Alder catkin bloom will not reach a peak for another week.

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Not to be outdone, we've a half dozen large Pacific Maple trees within 50 feet of the house.  Three of them, right outside the bedroom window, are huge 250 year old trees that look like something out of Jurassic Park with sword ferns growing out of 40 inch diameter moss covered trunks 15 feet above the ground.

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Unfortunately, all these Maples are loaded with buds that will produce a second pollen storm that will peak around mid April...  Sooo.... I've got at least another month of this crap.

I stopped my calcium supplements, and bumped my vitamin D3 intake to 25,000 IU/day along with an increase in magnesium to 800 mg/day the 1st of March in anticipation of the pollen season.  10 days ago as the pollen started falling, I bumped the vitamin D3 dose again, this time to 40,000 IU/day divided into four doses spread throughout the day.

This increased vitamin D3 intake is working for the most part... but it's not 100% effective.  I've averaged 1 or 2 minor hits every 24 hours over the last week, usually while sleeping...  Fortunately, most of these hits resolve spontaneously in less than 3 to 4 minutes as soon as I get up and start breathing more deeply... 

None of these hits have gone above a Kip-5 or lasted longer than 15 minutes...  However, after living substantially CH pain free for over four years, it's clear to me that having my immune system insulted by an allergic response to tree pollen, makes it a clear player in the cluster headache syndrome.

Take care and please keep us posted.

V/R, Batch

Hey Colin,

Great feedback and another important data point...  Many thanks...  I've found it amazing that doing little things like take a couple probiotic pills can have such a major effect on day to day activities...

Take care,

V/R, Batch

Hoppy,

Magnesium citrate's increased absorption and bioavailability may be part of the problem...  Osmotic diarrhea is typically caused by undissolved magnesium salts drawing water into the bowels.  Pick up some 250 mg magnesium oxide tablets and titrate up with an extra glass of water to reach the desired consistency.

A more natural method would be to drink fruit smoothies with pineapple, apple, and carrots.  That will provide more indigestible fibers.

Take care,

V/R, Batch

Gary,

Hmmm... you sound just like my wife...  "Those pills are toooo big..." but she takes them...  I've found that the liquid softgel form of magnesium capsules slide down the gullet very nicely...  Were they solid tablets, it would be another story...

Regarding Epsom Salt Baths, magnesium sulphate passes through the skin quite nicely.  A hot soak in a tub with Epsom Salt is also very relaxing... 

Unfortunately, taking 10,000 IU/day or more vitamin D3 likely consumes more magnesium that you absorb in an Epsom Salt bath... You'd need to soak for an hour a day or more to take in enough magnesium through the skin to keep up with the amount used by vitamin D3.

Transdermal magnesium preparations are typically magnesium chloride, but you run into the same problem meeting magnesium consumption... You'd need to lather up with magnesium oils or gels a couple times daily...  It's also the most expensive form of magnesium...

In short, we process more magnesium while taking vitamin D3 at the doses we take than the average professional jock...

One simple solution is a teaspoon of magnesium chloride every 3 to 5 days...  ~ 9 cents a day.  You could also add the powdered magnesium chloride to a fruit smoothie.  Henry Lahore at Vitamin D Wiki has an excellent web page on low cost vitamin D3 cofactors at the following link: 

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Hope this helps.

Take care,

V/R, Batch