Hey All,

I wanted to post my (relatively) recent experience.  I don't know if there is a correlation or not, but wanted to share in case someone else out there could benefit.

Since I was at least 12 (I'm 43 now), I've had episodic cluster headaches.  They occur mormally at 18 month intervals.  I had a couple of episodes at 24 months.  I have never gone over 24 months without an episode.  I would go 6 weeks with 1 to 2 headaches per day, always at the same time.  Y'all know what they feel like so I don't have to describe the pain.

One year ago I started CrossFit.  Just google "crossfit".  It's a kind of workout and there are crossfit gyms everywhere.  The workout is short, and incredibly intense.  I also changed my nutrition to eat "paleo", and have recently begun zoning my nutrition.

It's been over three years since I had an episode!

I have always worked out and kept my self in good shape.  But there is something different about CrossFit.  I think there is something going on with the high intensity and the nutrition that has helped.

I'm not saying CrossFit is a cure for everything (you'll see that there is a near cultish following of CrossFit).  All I know is I used to get cluster headaches, and now I don't.  And the only real change is that now I do CrossFit and eat paleo/zone.  I've read of people "outgrowing" cluster headaches.  Could be a total coincidence.  I don't know.  It was too monumental not to share. 

Has anyone else tried this?  Anyone had a similar experience with exercise/nutrition?

Also, let me know if you do try this and what your results are.

No chocolate,  no go.

          Potter

markca wrote on May 10^th, 2011 at 2:03pm:

I'm not saying CrossFit is a cure for everything (you'll see that there is a near cultish following of CrossFit).  All I know is I used to get cluster headaches, and now I don't.

I'm glad you're not touting a "cure" -that never goes well here.

While I am glad you are not in pain, and glad what you are doing is working for you, I would amend your statement to "I don't have cluster headaches right now." 

You may never have another one, and that would be wonderful.  Or you could have another one tomorrow.

What Pat said. 

Exercise has been beneficial to many of us as an abortive, but I've never heard of anyone being able to prevent by it.  Not saying it can't.  I've just never heard it. 

Very glad you are PF, and I hope it lasts forever.

JErry

Great to see you're not getting CH's currently!  I really do hope they never return, but just keep it in the back of your mind that they could (and keep an arsenal ready!).

Nice to see someone eating Paleo.  I do remember awhile back someone on here eating low carb and it helping them with their CH's too.  I have eaten LC for years, got off it a few times and am now back on no sugar and no grains.  They are such a culprit for so many health and weight issues for me!

Good luck to you!
:)mel

Gald to hear you are pf! 

I am reading a book about the Paleo diet right now because I think it is something that would benefit my husband.  I drastically changed my diet this year (not paleo) for health and other reasons and it did not have much effect on ch.  I think anything we do to improve our health is a good thing! 

Hope you forever stay pf, but keep your ch weapons nearby just in case.

one word of caution for anyone who wants to try crossfit.  if you have never done it before, look up a good work out for beginners and DONT OVERDO IT!  i only give this worning because my first time trying crossfit, i did overdo it, by a large margain.  i almost died.  then my headaches got much worse...  having said that, a word to how good it is for personal training:  the 82nd airborne uses it, the rangers use it, and the army special forces(green berets) use it.  enough said?

I have been on a wonderful "awakening" of a sleeping desire to become fit.... five years ago I lost 85 pounds ...I have kept it off and lost another 15 since.

14 months ago i hired a personal trainer to come to my house, purchase any equipment he felt i needed and he has come for one hour sessions three times per week ever since.... he is a crossfit competitor. My trainer has just moved to the USA to compete.

I have chosen after a year of high intensity interval training to move into lower repetition heavier resistance training. and i started with another strength training coach.... I have been trasformed in the past year and I am eating Paleo 90 +% of the time.

The Paleo diet is amazing.... I have 6 reference books on the subject always sitting next to me here by my computer.

It is an anti inflamatory diet among other things and this may provide some connection to CH...also it tends to regulate hormones which may have another CH connection for some.

It is a tough diet to maintain long term but many athletes swear by it and the data is significant that it is a very good way to live.

My trainer is 100 % strict Paleo and helps me with restaurant food decisions (constant iphone contact) and the accountability of having a pro in your court certainly increases success rate.

Always remember in order of importance

SLEEP
DIET/NUTRITION
RESISTANCE TRAINING
.
.
.
CARDIO

Best of luck and may you all have pain free days.

Paul