Hello Everybody,

I am new here & was recently diagnosed w/ Chronic CH's. I just finished a terrible 10 day attack last week & just started another on Friday & currently going through.

I have found a lot of helpful messages/tips on this board and now have a question I haven't seen on here. Do electronics/computers aggravate your CH's? Or even trigger them? I have found myself that I can't read computer screens, look at my Ipad, watch TV, etc w/out making them terribly worse. Is anyone else experiencing this? I appreciate the Feedback!

Thanks,
Ryan

There is no point in me looking at a computer screen, TV, or IPAD when I am suffering an attack simply because all my focus needs to go into managing the pain.

So I cant answer your question. In fact the question confuses me because I don't understand how, or why,  anyone under attack could or would be using electronic devices in the first place.

Several people have posted that computer screens or even the television can trigger a hit when on cycle. A more common one seems to be bright sunlight, especially thru a window such as when driving. Neither triggers a hit for me but when I'm getting hit, any kind of a light source aggravates me and seems to ratchet the pain level up a few clicks.

Just one more example of the wide variances we find in CH from person to person.

More importantly, do you have home oxygen yet? Are you on a good prevent such as verapamil, lithium or topomax? Do you have imitrex injectables or nasal sprays? Are you lucky enough to be working with a neuro that "gets" CH and is up on treatments? Too much available now to let beasty have his way with you.  ;)

Joe

seaworthy wrote on Oct 1^st, 2012 at 5:10pm:

There is no point in me looking at a computer screen, TV, or IPAD when I am suffering an attack simply because all my focus needs to go into managing the pain. So I cant answer your question. In fact the question confuses me because I don't understand how, or why,  anyone under attack could or would be using electronic devices in the first place.

I may not have asked this question right. I am totally new to this. There is ABSOLUTELY no way I could even think to look at anything when I am in my peak of the CH. What I was trying to say is I guess during the cycle? I have anywhere from 3-6 CH's a day for multiple days at a time.

During these days, I usually wake up w/ a 6-7 pain rating that can easily jump to a 10 if there is sound & light or too much stimulation for that matter. If I get on the o2 right away I can usually maintain them for a bit ( couple hours or so ) during that time, in between them, I have found it almost unbearable to look at any type of electronics for more than a couple minutes before it aggravates me & puts me back into a full blown attack again.

So, my question is "does this or anything similiar to this happen to anyone else who suffers CH's"?

Since mine have been diagnosed as chronic, there is no way of telling when they will hit and how long they will be in remission. So I don't know if electronics can contribute to them as a trigger or if they just aggravate them.

Guiseppi wrote on Oct 1^st, 2012 at 5:50pm:

Several people have posted that computer screens or even the television can trigger a hit when on cycle. A more common one seems to be bright sunlight, especially thru a window such as when driving. Neither triggers a hit for me but when I'm getting hit, any kind of a light source aggravates me and seems to ratchet the pain level up a few clicks. Just one more example of the wide variances we find in CH from person to person. More importantly, do you have home oxygen yet? Are you on a good prevent such as verapamil, lithium or topomax? Do you have imitrex injectables or nasal sprays? Are you lucky enough to be working with a neuro that "gets" CH and is up on treatments? Too much available now to let beasty have his way with you.  ;) Joe

I have found that any kind of light can aggravate or even trigger mine. I constantly wear sunglasses, flourecent light is the worst. Definitely the sun setting while I am driving is VERY bad as well.

Yes, I do have home O2 @ 15lpm/15 min w/ a NRM. It helps a little but never fully keeps them away. Luckily, my Neuro finally ordered me Verapamil 60mgx3/day & Imitrex injections. I am just waiting to get them in the mail through the VA.

I have noticed that w/ each attack they are getting stronger & last longer than the previous. I am really hoping the Verapamil will help prevent them from happening soon.

Thanks for your feedback and helpful info. It is much appreciated.

Ryan