Does anyone know if there is any relationship between flying and clusters. Mine were gone for nearly 3 years then I took a trip that required flying. A week later they came back. Not sure if the flying and cabin pressure or altitude had anything to do with it or was coincidental.

Anybody know of any information on this or if anyone else has experienced problems with airplanes and clusters.

Thanks everyone

Mike

If the altitude changes were going to invite a cluster attack it would have done so at the time.  Probably upon descent... but certainly not a week later.  Sorry to say, but it probably was just your time to come in cycle.

I wish I could be of more help on this issue since I was a pilot for most of my adult life.  Here is what I can recollect.

As a navy pilot we were always wearing an oxygen mask.  Lots of O2, never a CH.

As a commercial airline pilot I only remember 1 big Kip'er.  Flying definitely does not trigger the cycle and it was very rare that I had a CH while flying during my cycle.

I was undiagnosed for many years and as the pain would just disappear for several years, I didn't really pay much attention to them.  Hurts for a few weeks, see the eye doctor, get a slight tweek to my very light prescription and by that time the cycle was ending anyways.  hmmm, must be my sensitive eyes.  Until that stopped working and my alergy doc said he thought they were clusters.  Then I really checked into it and yep, clusters.  That explained a lot.

So no, I don't think a connection between clusters and flying.  Some things that happen flying and as a passenger can trigger.  Once a flight attendant came into the cockpit freshly perfumed.  Within a few minutes I had a doozy.  I thought I was just allergic to the scent.  Blah blah blah, I'll spare you the stories.

--Shaggy

   I used to fly up to Dutch Harbor from Portland and back several times a year without a problem. I used to do a bit of flying in single engine aircraft in Ecuador and Peru on family business. Unpressurized cabin Sea Level to around 16,000 feet. CH was never a problem.
[smiley=smokin.gif]

I'm with the others here. I think when it's time to get hit you're just going to get hit - it don't matter where you are or what you're doing.

I've flown quite a bit -- and have got hit in the air, on the ground, on the runway, etc, but can't put my finger on any one trigger...

It's just something we all LIVE with... when the demon strikes - he strikes!!!

:-*

I did a lot of flying back in the 60s and had an event of some kind while descending very quickly over Newark in 1962. I assumed it the sudden drop in altitude. (it seemed unusual to me anyway) It did feel like a ch and in the exact same area however, I had no other incident until my ch developed in 1969 while watch Johnny Carson one night so I don't believe the flying connection. Maybe it was Phil Silvers... :o

Charlie

Good point Charlie.  I don't know if this is what happened to you but it made me think, rapid descent can cause all sorts of sinus issues especially if you are nursing a cold or a little clogged up.  Sinuses around the eyes and nose can tear and I hear it is like having an ice pick jammed in your face.  Sometimes followed by sinus infections etc. 

Since the Clusters affect similar areas of the head there would be a chance of confusing the pains.  Both hurt tremendously I am told.  Never had the pleasure of tearing my sinuses, had the CH pleasure many times thank you.

Airlines don't usually descend very fast, but private planes could especially if they don't pressurize much.  If you are really stuffed up though even and airliner's descent could hurt.  yada yada yada, enough flying chat.

--Shaggy

Like shaggyparasol, I was a professional aviator as well, though not for a major airline. All my flying was in the realm of what we call "general aviation", i.e. charter, fire suppression, sailplane operations, instruction, etc. Some of it was in pressurized aircraft, but the majority was not. I was based mostly at airports with elevations of 4,500-6,500 feet and in mountainous areas, so most unpressurized flights involved altitudes of 7-12,000 feet. Some of them required rapid climbs and/or descents. The "beast" and I battled it out from time to time for the last 20 years of my career. Until just before I retired it was the standard textbook once-a-night 20-30 minute battle that never interfered with me professionally. I never had any problem with the altitude changes triggering headaches.

Had one of my worst ch on a plane- of course it might have been the crying baby behind me.........

Quote:

Airlines don't usually descend very fast, but private planes could especially if they don't pressurize much.  If you are really stuffed up though even and airliner's descent could hurt.  yada yada yada, enough flying chat.

These were old Mohawk Airlines Convairs, I think so I don't know just how pressurized these things were. Turbo-props, I guess.

Charlie