Posted by viviane (195.252.57.45) on December 17, 2000 at 04:12:59:
In Reply to: diet and clusters? posted by jc on December 16, 2000 at 23:43:38:
dear jc
about diet I can tell you I identified several foods I am allergic/nontolerant to and most CH have similar problems, although triggers vary. Mine : milk (any dairy produce), yeast, all kinds of cereals incl. rice, and too much carbo i.e. potatoes.
ALCOHOL is definitely OUT for me, I would not touch one drop. Try cutting it out completely, it's really not worth it !
Meat makes me wonder, too. (Especially in UK - thought you were all vegatarians now - sorry, bad joke) I have been vegetarian for many years, but because of having to cut down on carbohydr., eat a little meat or fish w. lots of veg. and fruit. I turned back to meat because of B1 vit., which is important for the nervous system.
Depression: mine is real bad, too, on some days, sheer despair because it looks so hopeless. I've had extensive spinal surgery, improving my spinal problem, but not the head pain. When I get too depressed I take 1/2 "myolasthan" a tetrazepam which is a valium derivate, a transquillizer and muscle relaxant, which makes me feel at least tranquil and the feeling of despair is gone. Ask your doctor first about it, I find a full tab. (50 mg) makes me too tired, but 1/2 helps a lot mentally, although I try not to depend on it. Also, before long journeys which are quite a strain on my back, I take a little and cope better w. the trip.
Often I try to appear more cheerful than I am, for not worrying my husband who is very caring. But sometimes I just cant and it feels good to let the tension come out. Then the problem is that my husband becomes so desperate when he sees me sobbing, so his despair makes me worse and in the end it's me consoling him, trying to convince him it's not really that bad.
The only advice I can give you: if someone cries, take it as a way of relieving tension, give support and dont take it as a sign of utter hopelessness, once the tension has come out the person feels a little better and if you are able to handle it and not become depressed yourself, than he will get over it, too.
Sorry, hard to explain, get back to me anytime if you want. All best wishes for relief, viviane