Posted by Vince S. on May 20, 1999 at 14:50:31:
Dear Friends,
Here’s another “clusters and smoking” post for you to consider. I have several theories based on
personal experience as to why the question is often raised “does cigarette smoking cause cluster
headaches?” First of all, as stated before on this board, I’ve been both a smoker as well as a
non-smoker since my bouts with CH began in 1985. Although my non-smoking didn’t
completely cure my condition, I did notice some differences, and I think they’re worth
mentioning here. First of all, my remissions lasted much longer. For example, a normal
remission period for me is usually 12 to 18 months. While non-smoking, I was in remission for
over two years. When the cluster came, the headaches were just as violent as when I was
smoking, but only for two or three days (nights). After that, they became milder and more
tolerable, and went away altogether after only two weeks. Normally, my cluster duration is 3 to
four months. Furthermore, my last cluster attack (before this current one) was in early 1998. I
was battling with cigarettes furiously at this time - trying to quit however I could. I went entire
weeks without smoking, but couldn’t break the habit as I had before. When that particular cluster
arrived however, it lasted only one month. The headaches were actually gone before my first
30-tablet verapamil prescription needed refilled. I hardly had enough pills left to “ween
down”...since I always take half pills when my remission starts so I don’t stop the prescription
too abruptly. I don’t believe all this means that smoking causes cluster headaches. But what may
be evident is that the change in a smoker’s metabolism promotes remission. I suspect this is why
doses of prednisone can launch a CH sufferer into an immediate remission: steroids change your
metabolism drastically. Lastly, since the metabolism of a non-smoker differs from that of a
smoker, the “return visits” may be slowed down somewhat. The only evidence I have of these
ideas (other than my own experience) is the story of my mother. I watched her suffer with
clusters for most of my childhood. She smoked nearly 3 packs of cigarettes per day. During her
cluster periods, her smoking actually increased. When she quit smoking, her headaches never
came back, with the exception of one three-day bout during a nasty sinus infection, which
quickly disappeared into remission after only three raging headaches. Oddly enough, my
week-long cluster during my two-year period on non-smoking during ‘93/’94 came after I
acquired a terrible sinus infection. This particular bout kept me awake for three entire days, and
resulted in mononucleosis, which is a whole OTHER story that I won’t bore you with!! To
conclude, I am currently smoking more than one pack of cigarettes per day, and I am having
headaches as bad or worse than I’ve ever had in my life. I’m going to attempt to quit again
(sigh), and I’ll be glad to share what happens with this fine group here on the CH message board.
I am currently in week #6, already surpassing the cluster I had in 1998 when I was smoking very
little. Any other CH smokers out there want to join me? Hell, if I’m gonna be miserable, I might
as well be MISERABLE!!!! Peace to all!!! --Vince