Posted by Henry Lindell on October 29, 2001 at 01:40:00:
I have solved (YES, SOLVED!) my cluster headache condition. I know it sounds too good to be true, but it worked for me. I know that many people that will read this will think that I am crazy, or that I have made this up. I HAVE NOT. I post this because I HOPE that it will help some of the many CH sufferer's out there. Here it goes...
>>>Important NOTICE: In my case, my cluster headaches (CH) always occur during the same months of the year (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec). During this period, I am specially vulnerable to the substances/conditions/triggers that give way to my CH atacks. During the rest of the year, I am usually immune to those substances/conditions/triggers that I mention hereforth. However, I will definately steer clear of these from now on. No point in being vulnerable... right? I have recognized two types of triggers: universal (all migrane sufferers will be affected by them) and personal (it's on a person to person basis).
UNIVERSAL............
--- MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) will ALWAYS trigger a cluster headache. Use YAHOO! search, and it'll tell you where you can find the lists of products that contain this terrible food additive. FYI, almost very single soft drink contains MSG (Coca~Cola, Pepsi, etc.). Soy sauce, chinese food, almost all packaged foods, cheese (except Italian-imported cheese and most home made cheeses), cold cuts (most of them), etc...
--- Nitrates (used in processed foods, usually ham, bacon, salami, pepperoni, etc.).
--- Eggs, when not well cooked (sunny side up, for example). If scrambled (meaning that the yolk and the white are fully cooked) they are harmless.
--- Chocolate bars, but not due to the coca (meaning the chocolate). It's actually because most candy bars have MSG, food additives, artificial flavors and natural flavors (beleive it or not, MSG is considered both an artificial and a natural flavor food additive, so if a product's label does not spell out MSG, but it lists as a content either artificial or natural flavor, be careful... it's very likely to contain MSG!). Same for gum, candy in general, junk food, etc.
PERSONAL...
--- Oranges.
--- Beer.
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I know that after reading this you'll say to yourself:
"This guy is crazy! What will I eat?"
But I promise you, it's worth a shot. If you think about it, we CH sufferers have a weakness: we are subject to cluster headaches! But wether we get a CH attack or not depends fully on what we eat. We are what we eat. Most people are migrane free, so they can enjoy every meal imaginable without consequences. But we must remember that we do not fall under that category. If we are not careful, CH will attack. Try to steer clear of what I've mentioned above for three days. If you still get CH, I can only say "sorry". But if, like me, you find that you are cured, then this post will have had a purpose.
So, try to steer clear of all soft drinks, cold cuts, cheeses (specially if not home-grown or of italian origin), most packaged goods (don't trust ANYTHING that lists as an ingredient 'Artificial Flavors' or 'Natural Flavors'), MSG, MSG, MSG, MSG, MSG, MSG, MSG, MSG (YES! MSG! STAY AWAY FROM IT!).
I have found that smoking, drinking alcohol and coffee is irrelevant to my condition. I know I shouldn't be promoting these vices, but I feel I must be completely truthful about my CH attacks.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU FELLOW CH SUFFERERS. I HOPE THIS CAN HELP YOU LESSEN THE FREQUENCY OF YOUR ATTACKS, AND PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME WITH QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS REGARDING THIS CH SOLUTION!
By the way, the medicine that has ALWAYS stopped a CH attack (in MY case, and this I found only a month ago) is a combination of dihydroergotamine, caffeine, aspirin and propifenazone (Sydolil & Tonopan, the brand names in spanish that contain these ingredients).
Regards and good luck to all,
Henry Lindell.