Posted by Richard (162.130.254.35) on August 17, 1999 at 12:14:56:
Hello to all. I just found this site and would like to share my experiences with the hopes it will help others. I've found a way (purely by accident) to minimize the pain and duration without medication. I wonder if others have found this as well. Read on.
I've suffered from cluster headaches since I was 15 or 16 years old. I'm now 36. Over the years I saw a number of doctors who could offer little help.
When I was 22 or 23 I was getting ready to go for a run (I used to be an avid runner) when I could feel a headache comming on. I decided to just start running anyway and see what would happen. After a couple of minutes the headache was completely gone. Since that time, whenever I feel a headache comming on, regardless of where I am, I'll try to do something that raises my heart rate and increases my aerobic activity. Depending on where I am I'll alternate between push-ups and deep knee bends, or I'll run in place, do some jumping jacks. If I'm at work I'll climb several flights of stairs... whatever I can to get the heart beating faster. I have to start doing something as soon as I feel the headache comming on. If I wait too long it won't work.
In most cases (not always) I can limit the severity and length of the headache without taking any medication. A lot of times the headache will go away completely in a matter of a few minutes. I don't know why this helps. I think it has something to do with the amount of oxygen in my blood stream and how much is reaching my brain. That's just a guess and an undeducated one at that.
Once I discovered this method I noticed a pattern in my headaches. They generally occured at a time in my life when I made a significant and sustained increase in my physical activities. It's interesting that physical activity seems to trigger the headaches, but also helps me control them as well.
I hope this helps