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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Travel and CH
        
(Message started by: JPlocher on Sep 6^th, 2005, 5:52pm)

Title: Travel and CH
Post by JPlocher on Sep 6^th, 2005, 5:52pm

I was once cautioned by a neurologist that flying (due to change in altitude) and traveling to different time zones (change in wake/sleep cycle) may trigger CH episodes. I get seasonal CH, usually late summer, and I'm planning on going to Southeast Asia from the U.S. so I'm wondering about this possibility. Has anyone had this experience or any thoughts about it?

Thank you.
Jessica

Title: Re: Travel and CH
Post by E-Double on Sep 6^th, 2005, 8:06pm

If it is going to happen it will happen regardless.

Don't let it keep ya from living!

Title: Re: Travel and CH
Post by madaline on Sep 7^th, 2005, 1:46am

I got hit real bad last summer flying home from Hawaii-I was ready to jump out of the plane. Because of that, I did not plan a vacation for this past summer. I will be flying to see my son in Phoenix, this Nov. and will be armed with lots of Excedrin and soda(for the caffeine, which I just started using as an abortive about two months ago), and Zomig nasal spray. After the trip, I will tell you how it all worked. Good luck to you. Madaline

Title: Re: Travel and CH/Madaline
Post by kayarr on Sep 7^th, 2005, 2:37am

What else are you using to either keep your headaches at bay or rapidly make them go away?
My guy found Imitrex good for about 4 hours (it was the only way we could go to the movies)

Title: Re: Travel and CH
Post by Backsida on Sep 7^th, 2005, 3:18am

Hi,

I travel a lot (Asia - Europa) and what I find out or what is my
experience is, that after a change of time-zone I never got a
CH-Period but it start so about one to tow month later when the body
start to relax.
Actually is it so if I travel in a CH-Period the Period stop mostly
after one or tow days in the different time-zone.

But this is only my personal experience.

HTH, Back.

Title: Re: Travel and CH
Post by wip5150 on Sep 7^th, 2005, 9:16am

I travel quite a bit with my job. The pressure and altitude changes don't trigger a cycle, but when I'm in a cycle, it's a good bet that I'll have a Kip 7-9 during the flight. I ALWAYS bring some Imitrex just in case.

Title: Re: Travel and CH
Post by marlinsfan on Sep 7^th, 2005, 1:02pm

I also travel a lot for work. I'm based in Florida, but go to Phoenix and Europe quite often. I have never had an attack during flight while in cycle (except once) nor have I ever had a flight trigger a cycle. The only time I got hit during a flight is because I fell asleep.... I get hit when I nap, regardless of where I am (in my bed, couch or in an airplane....).

This just goes to show that we're all different.

E-Double is right: live life as if you don't have CH. Don't let the beast tell you how to live.

Title: Re: Travel and CH
Post by lionsound on Sep 7^th, 2005, 4:36pm

like everyone has said....sometimes you get hit on planes and sometimes not..just like when we're walking around on the ground at home.

As i learrned, It really important to be prepared and have your abortive(s) within arms reach (not overhead) during the flight just in case you can't get up and move around.

So plan your travel and enjoy!:)

-lionsound

Title: Re: Travel and CH
Post by sandie99 on Sep 8^th, 2005, 12:24am

Jessica,

Flying doesn't trigger CH to me. I've been episodic and chronic, no difference there. I've had Ch attacks before the flight and after it, but not during one.

My advice would be: take the flight and see what happends. Be prepared in case you do get ch, but don't let fear stop you. In my experience, ch comes and goes when it wants to. It's your choice what you'll do in between. I suggest that you'll have as much fun as you can. :)

Good luck & let us know how it turned out, okay? :)

Sanna

Title: Re: Travel and CH
Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on Sep 10^th, 2005, 11:11am

i have noticed this too. Just simply driving long distance somewhere seems to trigger me. Oddly enough, the last time i went 4 hours away, i got hit in the late morning after.....which is pretty rare for me.
Too scared to book a flight somewhere for sure. How do you get your needles on board the plane anyway?
BMonee

Title: Re: Travel and CH
Post by LeLimey on Sep 10^th, 2005, 1:01pm

Hi Jessica!
This summer I flew from England to Dallas and didn't get hit at all on the way out.
I got hit on the way back before the plane had even left the ground but was fine throughout the rest of the flight.. no problems at all! I flew with AA and all I needed to have my imi on board with me was a letter from my doctor.. they weren't bothered at all.
Both flights were ten hours long so a good test - I'll certainly never fear flying again
I hope this helps you!
Helen X

Title: Re: Travel and CH
Post by BikerBob on Sep 10^th, 2005, 1:31pm

I've been episodic for 30 years. My most recent episode started 3 days after I flew from Northern California to Florida.

- abrupt change in climate from cool/dry to hot/humid.
- three hour time difference changed my sleep cycle.
- stress of full day trip changing planes in Phoenix.

edited to add: "Typically, commercial airplanes fly at an altitude of about 38,000 feet. The cabin is pressurized to make it safe and comfortable at that extreme altitude – but this does not make breathing in an airplane the same as breathing on the ground. Most people are not surprised that the humidity and air pressure of airplane air decreases as the plane ascends. But that’s not all that changes. At sea level, the air we breathe contains about 21 percent oxygen; on a typical commercial flight, the cabin air has only about 15 percent oxygen. The implications of decreasing the oxygen by one quarter are discussed in the November 2004 Thorax. Most people are unaware that the oxygen levels in their blood are lower when flying."

BB