While doing research on CHs, it quickly became apparent that they are also called histamine headaches (along with several other psuedonyms). The reason - injections of subcutaneous histamine result in immediate CHs in around 70% of subjects.

This got me thinking about triggers in general. We all know alcohol is almost a universal trigger while in cycle. Beyond that, triggers seem to get less universal and more and more individual.

Here's my question - has anyone used antihistamines on a daily basis to see if it presents any degree of preventive characteristics? I'm wondering this because our bodies can release histamine in response to coming in contact with any number of factors. Depending on the sensitivity/allergy of the individual (shrimp, perfume, peanuts, etc), combined with the amount of the release of histamine, all combined with the CH cycle itself - who knows, maybe taking anithistamines a couple times a day might help avoid histamine acting as a trigger.

Maybe this could help reduce the number of attacks? I'm going to try it for myself, and will post an update later.

thoughts?

No, it doesn't help (me), tho I was thinking about the same thing when I saw alternative name (histamine headaches). Also I am curious if allergic reaction can start a headache (didn't notice that).

Maybe you are talking about some strong histamines, but I have been taking basic for like 8 years, I stopped a few days ago and I don't feel any difference.

Some people report success in avoiding nighttime headaches by using benedryl-  Look around and search the message boards for benedryl and you'll come up with hits-

Been there, done that.

I was prescribed Periactin early on, when it was a standard treatment for CH.  Took it throughout at least two full cycles.  Didn't do a thing, good or bad.

Around thirty years ago, there was some buzz that the OTC medication, Sinutab, might be effective against CH.  (Sinutab contained acetominiphen, pseudoephedrine, and the antihistamine, chlorpheneramine maleate. )  Again, I took it throughout a couple of cycles on my doctor's advice, every four hours.  Did very little except increase the number of headaches overall, according to my HA journal.  I now suspect it may have been rebound from the overuse of acetominiphen.  

These days, I do use chlorpheneramine maleate (2mg.) on an occasional basis to kill a minor shadow here and there when I'm in cycle, but it does nothing against a full-blown hit.  

My experience with antihistamines and CH, FWIW.  

Basically, I don't think they do much.

Best wishes,

George

George wrote on Aug 3^rd, 2008 at 6:07pm:

Been there, done that. I was prescribed Periactin early on, when it was a standard treatment for CH.  Took it throughout at least two full cycles.  Didn't do a thing, good or bad.

Yup, what George said, only he's smarter. I tried it for multiple cycles, always hoping it would finally kick in. NADA!

Early on, before I knew about or had even heard of CH, I used OTC anti-histamines. Why? cuz they seemed to work. In retrospect, it was simply fluctuations in the cycle.

Never one to say don't try...if it works for you...great!

Best,

Jon

Just to back this up, I'm on 5 anithistamines a day.

No, it doesn't help. >_>; Though I would like to know if there's any connection to histamine problems due to the fact I have histamine intolerance syndrome. Anyone know?

This is new to me....will have to dig up some info....BUT- I would think after years of research, surely they ruled out anti-histamines to prevent CH.

I have currently had fairly good luck with anti-histamines as a prevention tool for shadows.  I usualy take it along with my verapamil in the morning.  I Still have at least one good hit a day while im in cycle, but I have noticed that it reduces the number of shadows that I have. Makes it much easier to concentrate on my every day tasks.

Looking back, my doc and I think this latest cycle may have been triggered when I moved into an old house with two dogs, and I was first being treated for allergies and sinusitis before she diagnosed the CH... she had me on a double-dose regimen of antihistamines, and the hits weren't as bad- but when I stopped taking it, things really started to cook...of course, this could be coincidence.  but when I started taking them again, it did seem to help...again, could have been fluctuations in the cycle itself. :-?

washed-out wrote on Aug 3^rd, 2008 at 2:54pm:

I am curious if allergic reaction can start a headache

Allergic reactions can be a trigger for me.

But Benadryl didn't provide for more than a few hours sleep and from what I have read about the sleep cycle it may be a very bad idea- REM is where your brain repairs neural damage, and the same REM that can start a hit is also what prevents them later.

When I have been desperate for sleep and take Benadryl it always backfires by causing more and more nighttime headaches until I couldn't sleep but for about 20 minutes at a time.

For me it's the other way around, with allergic reactions.

My clusters trigger the reactions. Anytime I'm stressed / upset, my body starts to release histamine. I literally will break out in hives if I freak out.

Here, in looking up anaphylaxis, I found this, copied from wiki.

"Tissues in different parts of the body release histamine and other substances. This causes constriction of the airways, resulting in wheezing, difficulty breathing, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. Histamine causes the blood vessels to dilate (which lowers blood pressure) and fluid to leak from the bloodstream into the tissues (which lowers the blood volume). These effects result in shock."

I've had anaphylaxis and cluster at the same time. Not fun. >_<;

Aww, that's just from living in Beaumont!!  ;D  
(just kidding- I can't talk, I'm from Conroe!  ;D  ;D)