Posted by Barbara H on May 18, 1999 at 08:40:50:
I have been a visitor to this site for 10 weeks. I have never, in my 30 years of CHs, known anyone who suffered from them.
Through the years, when I told friends or doctors I was a smoker, I got "the look", suggesting I brought CHs on myself.
During those years, I would stop alcohol after the first headache, but could never quit smoking. About 6 years ago, I quit. I was 54 at the time. About 20 pounds later, I began to exercise for the first time in my life. I got my blood pressure under control and began hormone replacement therepy. I got my act together and knew I was in control and the CHs were a thing of the past.
Wrong. As I was reminded on Feb. 20, 1999, I am never in control of clusters.
So, my point is, to anyone smoking and suffering, to anyone who visits this site and thinks we cause our own suffering by smoking, there is no connection. I believer every smoker knows the health risks, but I know CHs are not one of the risks.
Good luck and good health to all. This site has validated what I have felt for 30 years, and for this, thank you DJ.
Barbara H.