Posted by Jack Boyd (167.206.58.39) on October 07, 1999 at 13:06:03:
If you are sick of reading about crackpot theories read no further:
The talk of triggers is a problem for me. I would never deny that there are triggers - in a cycle give me a drink and I am off to the races. I am sure there are other triggers - relaxation after stress and sleep ( especially sleep ).
My point is this: if we talk of triggers we misrepresent the cluster experience. It implies that if you do this and that, avoid this and that you will be headache free or have fewer. I never saw it that way. In my cycle I have always felt that I was going to get a certain number no matter what.
Which brings me to my crackpot theory - Let's start with an analogy - not a good analogy but the best I can come up with. Someone with a kidney stone. The stone is causing a blockage and they are not getting rid of urine ( toxins ). This can have serious effects although they may be silent and painless. The pain enters the picture as he body tries to heal itself ( passing the kidney stone ).
So it may be with clusters. The disease may be this chemical imbalance in our brains. The headaches could be nature's way of rectifying that imbalance.
Please do not beat me up over this. I do not really believe it is true but I am willing to concede that it is a possibility.
I better go back to work soon.