Posted by James (64.217.53.96) on July 09, 2000 at 15:05:12:
In Reply to: Grasping at straws posted by Kim on July 09, 2000 at 13:01:45:
Over the years I've ask similar questions with no real answers.
The eye color thing is probably out dated now but they used to think that certain eye color was more likely to have CH's than others. No true as far as I know. They also don't they that CH's are genetic and maybe not but I have them and so does my younger brother. We're sure our grandfather, on my mothers side had them also.
Over the years researchers have tried to make matches including season, location, gender, habits, etc., etc., but to no answer. During my 18 and 1/2 years with CH's I've tried all sorts of things, most of which didn't work. I'm currently in a cluster and on 3 different meds with Maxalt as a backup. It all helps but the fact of the matter is, when you're in a cluster you're going to have attacks, no matter what you eat, drink, think or anything else. It's just that when you're in a cluster those certain foods or drinks make the attack worse.
When I'm not in cluster, I avoid MSG and catsup because either will give me an attact even when not in a cluster.
The fact that you're a mouth breather while sleeping in interesting. I saw a very short report on my local TV news last week. It talked about sleep-apnea possibly helping to cause cluster attacks. As usual, not a lot of information but it was good to see. I don't know who was doing the research.
I think I'm pretty normal. No long toes or things that stick out. There is a large vein on my left forehead that sticks out during a cluster. Bulging veins, according to my doctor is caused by the excessive blood flow to the pained area. My attacks are on my left side. Other than that I'm a rather normal looking 53 year old man. About 20 pounds over weight. My skin is normal, I guess. My eye lids droop but that's old age. I'm outside often and keep a tan, I live in Texas so that's not hard to do. In fact I look so normal that telling anyone about this evil thing is useless so like many, I usually hide the fact that 4 or 5 months out of the year I'm a complete medical and mental disaster.