Hello,

I find that, shortly before I go through a cluster cycle, I start really craving salt.  I was just curious if this is a normal thing, if it's something that, as usual, happens in a few cases and not in others, or if it's just that I have a taste for salt.  I mean, I can go for a while without really noticing, and then, out of the blue, like clockwork, I crave it like crazy.

I don't crave it before a cycle.  But I crave it after a hit.  I eat potato chips like crazy after one.

I have noticed that during a cycle, I need more salt to taste it. I take Lithium and we actually need more salt when taking it. Not before a cycle that I've noticed.

I'll eat all the junk and bad food I can get my hands on during cycle.  I feel like I deserve to eat whatever I want because of all the pain I'm going hrough.  So its extra salt, extra cheese on everything.  

Since Cluster Attacks can affect the Ganglion Nerve, it is possible that this could affect your taste buds!  

Here's the "scientific" definition: The facial nerve is the seventh (VII) of twelve paired cranial nerves. It emerges from the brainstem between the pons and the medulla, and controls the muscles of facial expression, and taste to the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. It also supplies preganglionic parasympathetic fibers to several head and neck ganglia.

I know I get a small painful knot on my neck which the doctor said was caused by the Ganglion Nerve.  I know that I CRAVE salt, but can't partake because of other medical condition.  

Also, the genetic basis of CH probably involves unusual genes for ion transport ... the sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium and calcium doesn't always go where it should.

monty wrote on Jun 24^th, 2008 at 2:02pm:

Also, the genetic basis of CH probably involves unusual genes for ion transport ... the sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium and calcium doesn't always go where it should.

So could it be that, during the periods of attack, the change that clusters cause block the pathways of transport for these ions.

interesting to read this, as for a few weeks now (strated the cycle in early june), i have found that i have been craving sugar, which is not at all characteristic of me. i am normally a salty kinda gal, but not of late. wierd.
i couldn't follow the whole cranial nerve/salt connection..

Hmmmm that may be why Saul went and bought Sea salth for cooking the other day. We've never used it before but he said he really wanted it LOL!