Posted by Luke (206.167.136.230) on May 08, 2000 at 15:10:10:
GONE CURED FINISH
Gone since 2 years now. Cured forever i hope.
I have suffered from cluster headache for more than 6 years
4 to 6 attacks per day for approximately 6 month a year
My Neurologist was treating me with ISOPTIN SR 120 MG 2/day and
CARBOLITH150 MG 3/day.
This combination was helping up to 50% reducing the number of attacks
and their severity. But still a 50% attack of cluster is still very painful,
And I still had some bad ones from time to time.
THE CURE : (My case)
I saw a new General Practitioner, He vas concerned with my high blood pressure
( average 190 / 100 rising to 225 / 120 )
He referred me to the Hotel Dieu Hospital in Montreal Dept of radiology
where a multiple tests for kidney problems were performed.
My problem was first diagnosed using Doppler ultrasound than confirm
with MRI (magnetic resonance) and a scan in nuclear medicine.
They performed an angiography and angioplasty, inserting a STENT in
the artery between the aorta and the kidney.
My blood pressure dropped to acceptable range and guess what ?
My headaches were gone (for more than 2 years now).
All the previous tests were then repeated excluding the angiography
I was very lucky to be included in a research project on diagnostic of kidney problems.
All of these tests are not usually required.
I am still careful with the food I take.
FOOD TO AVOID:
Coffee The and Chocolate : these will cause an attack 7 to 10 hours after consumption
Beer, nuts, food containing MSG These will or can trigger an attack 45 to 90 minutes later.
In Canada, I find that 95% of canned soup contain MSG.
If you insist on having a beer, drink imported beer only since the large Canadian and US brewery
use sodium trisulphate to sterilised their bottles and this is what seems to trigger the attack.
also avoid Blody Caesor drinks since the Clamato contain MSG
Red/white wine:France Italy and some eastern europe are OK; Local wine (most)have same problem as beer
Avoid home made wine from kit since the kit containe a bottle rincing agent (Sodium trisulphate )
I sincerely hope that my case can help some of you. Knowing how painful these clusters are.
I would like to hear from You. Luke