I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed that heavy physical exertion such as running several miles being a trigger. It seems I can expect an attack 45 minutes after I stop exercising.

Also - just being hot, being outside in the sun, in a warm stuffy room - these "seem" to be another less predictable trigger. For me, I think my nervous system may just get more sensative preceeding an attack - a warm climate feels warmer and stuffier and more humid, my cloths feel tighter and irritating against my skin.

Just curious if this is common or just me.

Lancet. 1999 Sep 18;354(9183):1001-2.
Comment in:
Lancet. 2000 Jan 8;355(9198):147.

A new cluster headache precipitant: increased body heat.

Blau JN, Engel HO.

Exercise, a hot bath, or elevated environmental temperature provoked cluster headaches, within 1 h, in 75 out of 200 patients. This new observation accords with recognised precipitants--alcohol, histamine, and gyceryl trinitrate--perhaps via generalised vasodilatation or hypothalamic activation.

Publication Types:
Letter

PMID: 10501368 [PubMed]

The exercise trigger comes and goes for me.  Sometimes I get hit and sometimes I don't.  If it's gonna happen it usually does within a half hour of stopping.

Heat - not so much.

-Dennis-

Exercise for me too.   15 to 30 mins after stopping.  

Jeannie

Same here I know on a hot day if I push it or work faster to get done quicker I will get hit shortly after I stop the exertion

I tend to think it's the lull or the cool down period that spanks some of us.

Like after having a very stressful day then relaxing then kaboom there goes the noggin.

feel good and be prepared

E-Double wrote on May 29^th, 2009 at 12:42pm:

I tend to think it's the lull or the cool down period that spanks some of us. Like after having a very stressful day then relaxing then kaboom there goes the noggin. feel good and be prepared

I've kind of sensed this too. Its the "coming down" not the ramping up that sets something off.

Thanks for all the responses.

I had a post CH attack 'hangover' headache this morning having got whacked yesterday, (see my post in meds) and decided to go for a run. This got rid of the headache completely, for a while and then it ramped up into an attack about an hour or so later which I dosed with shrooms, now all is well. ;)

Getting overheated kicks my butt alot!  So if I feel I'm getting too hot and the pressure/shadows start building I try to dunk my head under some cold water or something right away if I can.  Sometimes it helps avoid an attack.  Sometimes it doesn't.  Sometimes it just stays as severe shadows.  Maybe it the water or maybe it's all just the beast doing what it wants and has nothing at all to do with me dunking my head. (I don't know) LOL I'm  a huge help huh?!

For me, strenuous exercise often shortened my attacks. When the hit came, I would now and then run around or somesuch. Worked now and then. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGESTART PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

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