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http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Ill before cycle starts... http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1442522980 Message started by Jimmy_B. on Sep 17^th, 2015 at 4:49pm

Title: Ill before cycle starts...
Post by Jimmy_B. on Sep 17^th, 2015 at 4:49pm

For the past 3 or 4 cycles, I noticed that I became ill (usually a bad cold) immediately before the clusters started. I have been an episodic since I was 15 y/o. I am now 49 and never remember this happening before.
On Labor Day week-end, I got a virus from Hell. Raging fever, body aches and pains, and nausea. I finally started feeling better on Tuesday Sept 8 and on Thursday Sept 10 my clusters started up again.
I'm not sure if the beginning of the cycle is messing up my immune system which brings on the illness (as I get older) or the illness is a trigger for the Clusters???
Has anyone else noticed this type cluster behavior - illness prior to the cycle?

Title: Re: Ill before cycle starts...
Post by Mike NZ on Sep 17^th, 2015 at 6:31pm

Batch has posted about illness depleting vitamin D3 reserves, so this could be enough to tilt you into a CH cycle.

Batch will no doubt post more details...

Title: Re: Ill before cycle starts...
Post by BobG on Sep 18^th, 2015 at 8:18am

I remember this question coming up quite a few times in the past. Enough times for me to believe there could very well be a connection between clusters and an infection.

Title: Re: Ill before cycle starts...
Post by Jimmy_B. on Sep 18^th, 2015 at 2:40pm

Thanks guys. I heard something about the D3 supplements. It would be worth a try. These past 3 or 4 cycles have been almost like clockwork...Start in September with a bad cold and when I'm beginning to feel better, BAMMM :o...I wake up at 2am with a bad shadow. Then it gets worse and worse for about 2 to 3 months.

But this past one wasn't a cold. It was a bad virus (Flu or otherwise).

They say that clusters begin to die down as you get older. That doesn't seem to be happening with me, as of yet :-?

Title: Re: Ill before cycle starts...
Post by Batch on Sep 19^th, 2015 at 9:22am

Hey Jimmy,

Thank you for your Service... Regarding the frequency and severity of CH slowing down as you get older... Well... I'm 71 and if I stop taking the vitamin D3 regimen, the beast jumps ugly on me in less than a week... even less time when the pollen count is high...

Take care,

V/R, Batch

Title: Re: Ill before cycle starts...
Post by maz on Sep 22^nd, 2015 at 1:47pm

I didn't start till I was 57 - but then, women don't get clusters, do they. !!! ;)

Title: Re: Ill before cycle starts...
Post by Scorpion on Oct 1^st, 2015 at 9:25am

For me it's allergies. They mimic a cold sometimes. Some people think that most colds are actually allergies or at least started out that way and progressed into a cold.

Title: Re: Ill before cycle starts...
Post by mamagoober on Oct 2^nd, 2015 at 3:34pm

I just started my 4th cycle and all but the first (at least I don't remember) started with a cold that seems to settle into a sinus infection and so I get sinus headaches for a few weeks or months and then kablammo, clusters. This time I was super diligent to make sure I didn't get the sinus infection. Still got clusters. So it's not the sinus infection per se for me at least.