I don't believe I posted much last fall when I usually get my cycles, simply because I didn't go through much of a cycle last fall. Still haven't figured out why it didn't hit me last fall, I have been having fall cycles going on 7 years now, lasting 2 to 3 months. Here we are going into the summer and now I'm cycling.

One of the last things I believe I posted was asking if anyone has tried and had success with magnesium supplements. Of course there were mixed comments. I've recently been researching (online forums and articles) if histamine may play a role in clusters.  I've ran across a few sites that considered cluster headaches as histamine headaches, so I tried looking a little more into how much histamine may be involved with clusters and headaches in general.

I'm sure all of have come to the conclusion that something is just not quite right chemically which is causing the clusters and from all the research I've done, seems as though different things work for different people. The reason why I am now focusing on histamine is because I suffer other histamine related issues and wonder if there are others that do also. One article I read stated there is an increase in histamine levels during the cluster attack, but for migraines the histamine increase comes after the attack.

I've searched for histamine on this sight and surprisingly only one post came up talking about histamine indirectly. I'm not stating every cluster sufferer has a histamine imbalance or has too much histamine in their body, I'm just reaching out for whatever makes sense for me and in the process perhaps it may lead someone else in the right direction also. In doing research on histamine or how to achieve a histamine balance of course vitamin and minerals are suggested. I found it curious that Magnesium helps lower histamine levels. I have yet to try taking a magnesium supplement daily for an extended period of time to see if it actually does help.

I was curious to see if anyone has actually looked into histamine having an effect or had done their own research or trail and error evaluation relating to histamine.

The D3 regimen advocated on this site includes a daily supplement of magnesium, calcium and zinc. I think more for their replenishment as D3 tends to use them up than for their direct support in preventing CHs. But who knows? Something apparently works in all this and while it is probably the introduction of D3, it might be the support of the various supplements as well. I take them all in any case. blessings. lance

I have researched the histamine connection several times over the years.  I have other histamine-related conditions (vasomotor rhinitis and excess stomach acid) which drove my curiosity about all this.  Histamine levels are raised during attacks, but all I can find about it is an association, not a cause. Some endocrinologists have labeled this "histadelia."  Reducing histamine production in a meaningful way is a biochemical/nutritional approach which hasn't been shown to be very effective or permanent.  Taking antihistamines won't do much for CH either.  As Lance stated, Magnesium is a very important part of the D3 treatment.  I'm currently having good results from the D3 regime and the additional magnesium that goes with it, but even with this treatment, the histamine-related stuff continues.
~pattik 

It's interesting to search large libraries of medical literature because you can get a crude history of the coming and going of various research/causation concepts surrsounding particular disorders.

With histamine & CH, attention to the question peters out in the late 1990s. Your question was getting attention prior to that--not in great detail--but, it appears, studies were not very productive.

This doesn't totally deny that there may be some interaction of histamine and CH for some people, but no evidence that it's a relationship which has commanded much contining research. Perhaps, histamine as a trigger for attacks but not a causal issue as with the role of the hypothamus.

This abstract from one of the "Founding Fathers" is sort of a swansong to the concept:
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J Headache Pain. 2006 Sep;7(4):231-4.
When cluster headache was called histaminic cephalalgia (Horton's headache).
Fanciullacci M.
SourceDepartment of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, Viale G. Pieraccini 18, I-50139, Firenze, Italy. fanciullac.marcello@tiscalinet.it

Abstract
The Author revives his experiences and reminiscences in the frontline research and everyday clinical practice dealing with what was then called "histaminic cephalalgia" (Horton's headache). In this context, the Author, one of the historical representatives of the School of Florence, reports an outline of the contribution of this pioneering period in order to promote research ideas concerning possible brain involvement in cluster headache (CH) pathogenesis, which is currently accepted worldwide. The recent history of CH has registered remarkable progress in revealing the mystery of this pathology and it is likely that, in the near future, through the development of better education and new treatments, the overall suffering of patients will be further minimised.

PMID:16767533[PubMed]
---

At one time the Beast went by the name histamine headaches because of the monstrous release of histamine during the headache. They weren't sure if histamine was responsible for the condition, or a result of the condition. In the intervening time, they've begun to understand them better and have found histamine is released in large quantities because of the headache. They have no idea why. If it was a cause, antihistamines would be decent preventatives or abortives, but they are neither. They can't even mitigate the release of histamine in an attack.

Found the following article yesterday, it is from 1984:


Quote:

Based  on  observations  indicating  histamine  release  in  cluster  headache,  Ketotifen  was  given  to  15 patients suffering from a chronic form of this disease. The drug shows a mast cell membrane stabilizing action which proved effective in the treatment of bronchial asthma. It was administered in dosage of 1 mg 3  times  daily  for  8  weeks.  Full  remission  was  achieved  in  8  patients. A considerable  improvement  was noted in 2 cases, a moderate improvement in 3, and only a slight improvement in 2 cases. ... MATERIAL AND METHODS Ketotifen was administered to 15 male patients aged from 30 to 57 years, with the history of cluster headache from 2 to 30 years. In 7 patients the primary chronic and in 8 the secondary chronic forms of cluster headache were diagnosed. The treatment was undertaken using a single blind method. At first the patients received placebo tablets 3 times daily for a week, and then Ketotifen in dosage of 1 mg 3 times daily for 8 weeks. They knew that they were treated with a new drug, but were unaware of being given placebo. They recorded themselves the daily number of attacks of headache. The number and character of the attacks were registered every week by the physician. Data concerning the age of the patients, duration and clinical forms of the disease, and a weekly record of attacks during treatment with placebo and with Ketotifen, are presented in Table 1. RESULTS Full  remission  was  achieved  in  8  patients  (in  2  with  a  secondary  chronic  form  of  cluster  headache  it  was obtained just after 4 weeks of Ketotifen treatment) (Table 2). A considerable improvement, i.e. a decrease in the number of attacks to single, usually mild episodes of pain occurring a few times a week, was observed in 2 patients (cases 6 and 10). An evident, although not so much pronounced improvement was noted in 3 patients (cases 2, 5, 11 ). Only in 2 persons (cases 3 and 15) the results were poor. In the great majority of patients improvement was observed in the first week of treatment and it progressed gradually over the course of 8 weeks of Ketotifen therapy (Table 3). In 3 patients the diminished frequency of attacks noted in the first week did not change in the later weeks of treatment (cases 2, 9, 15). Improvement achieved during 8 weeks of Ketotifen administration was maintained in the subsequent 8 weeks after withdrawal of the drug. Source: Split, W.; Szmidt, M.; Prusiński, A.; Rozniecki, J. (May 1984). "Ketotifen in the treatment of chronic cluster headache.". Headache 24 (3): 147-9. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Please see also e.g.: START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Histamine Desensitization Therapy: I know the protocol & can recite it. It DEFINATELY helps me, but it won't 'cure' (sorry) my clusters. It gives me much needed longer breaks from the relentless attacks.

Unless you find a great neuro, most won't even attempt it (Lack of experience). Most hospitals can't/WON'T do it. Only 2 hospitals in the USA that I know of that would do it. The DIAMOND HEADACHE CLINIC in Chicago is the most likely and the easiest place to get it (St. Joseph's Hospital in Lincoln Park).

If you have more questions, just ask away. I've done it many, many times in Indiana & in Chicago.

And check out:
START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

PS. There is SOMETHING definitely there between histamine and cluster headaches. I wonder exactly why one of the names they call these 'Cluster headaches' -> "Histamine Headaches" ? Desensitizing a cluster patients body to histamine CAN stop the attacks and DOES FOR ME, temporarily (unfortunately) ... but hey, it helps!

EDITED TO ADD:
"Cluster headaches have been called by several other names in the past including Erythroprosopalgia of Bing, Ciliary
neuralgia, Erythromelagia of the head, Horton's headache (named after Bayard T. Horton, an American neurologist),
Histaminic cephalalgia, Petrosal neuralgia, sphenopalatine neuralgia, Vidian neuralgia, Sluder's neuralgia, and
Hemicrania angioparalyticia."

(SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA "CLUSTER HEADACHE" PDF FILE)

ALSO ADDING:

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

" Histamine desensitization and surgical intervention may be considered for chronic cluster headache patients who have not responded to other forms of standard therapy." (SOURCE:START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE)

There IS a lot more pro and con info on the web. It is not a cure all. I agree that what helps some patients may not help another patient. Each person and each beast may react  / respond differently. BUT I'M SURE GLAD I DID IT AND STILL DO IT WHEN NEEDED!

I'm NOT a doctor, I'm a chronic clusterhead that's been around these boards for years. Don't let the # of postings fool you. But, I still always say CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR and you'd probably have to get a referral to the specialists for this treatment because like I said, most hospitals, doctors, and neuro's won't even try this treatment ( Or "can't )

One last thing: I was Xtremely skeptical when first trying this treatment as so many 'new treatments' failed ... and this one (Histamine Desentization) ALSO FAILED for me TWICE IN A ROW but my doctor (Dr. Merle Diamond) talked me into trying it 'just one more time' AND IT STOPPED MASSIVE, FREQUENT, DAILY ATTACKS FOR MANY, MANY WEEKS !!  ;D
Good Luck !

I4B

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Sorry about reviving this old article but I think I should write down some of my recent observations.

I got into a new cycle 3 weeks ago (after 6+ years). In the first few days (before my methylprednisolone kicked in) I took some Cetirizine (an antihistamine) for an unrelated allergic symptom. That night I had a cluster free night, no shadows, nothing.

When my meds kicked in (methylprednisolone + verapamil) I had a nice big spell of over 10 days with only a minor attack.

Last Saturday I was feeling well and decided to go on a mountain hike. I got exposed to heat and to lots of sunlight.

The same night I got a major episode and 2 the next day and one at least every day after that.

Yesterday I had to take Cetirizine again at 20.00 hours. I was in a really bad state following the daily attacks and related lack of sleep. A couple of hours after that my head felt great, not even a hint of an episode coming and I got a great good nights sleep.

Possible theory:

1. My intense excercise and sunlight exposure increased histamine levels (it has been scientifically proven to do so)

2. Increased histamine further sensitised the affected area and acted synergistically with the CH causes, allowing the episodes to break through the CH medication.

3. Reducing the histamine levels removed the histamine related co-factor and allowed the meds to do their job as they were before my ill conceived attempt to excercise.

4. So, maybe antihistamines DO NOT stop or act against CH but they do contribute preventing an attach if histamine levels are, for some reason or other, increased.

Now, a samle of n=2 is no sample at all (and I am not willing to be a guinea pig and try to raise my histamine levels and try again  ;) ) nor am I going to self medicate on Cetirizine just because I thought it worked...

...but I m gona keep in mind an see if incidental intake of Cetirizine actually coincides with episode free days and see how it goes.