Hi all,

I started running a couple of years ago, however when I'm in a cluster period, even a short easy 3km ALWAYS sets off an attack about 3-5 minutes after I finish my run.

Is there something I can take/do to prevent this from happening? Not being able to run is making me miserable but it's not worth it for the pain of the attack after.

I'm currently taking a 5 day course of prednisone and sumatriptan injection for the attacks.

I have a race tomorrow - would it be safe to take a sumatripan 100mg pill before the run? Might that prevent an attack?

Any advice much appreciated!

ps. any other tips for exercise while in a bout or is the only way to stop exercising altogether?

Different people react differently with some finding that a run can kill off a CH and others where it kicks them off, similarly some use a really hot shower and others a cold one.

Some people do use sumatriptan pills as a short term preventive, however they are not designed to be used that way. As to you using one for when out running to avoid a CH, well that would need medical advice (we're not doctors).

thanks so much, seems like when I'm in a cycle, it's just a hard no to running. Always sets off an attack, and it's just not worth it :(

For me, overheating is a sure trigger. If I have to do something strenuous, I take an ice cold shower immediately afterwards. I don't come out until I'm shivering. Thank god I have well-water.

Unfortunately, this isn't always effective. There's a point where there's been too much heat and I'm stuck with a HA, regardless.

If heat is a trigger, have you thought about swimming as a form of exercise when you're in cycle?

Jeffire wrote on Jun 13^th, 2019 at 9:49am:

If heat is a trigger, have you thought about swimming as a form of exercise when you're in cycle?

Or a treadmill in a room with air con turned down cold?

Thanks for the suggestions, can't do indoor swimming pools at gyms etc - the smell/heat alone sets me off.. and I'm too much of a wuss to swim outdoors in winter  :D

Re running in airconditioned room - I could try that. I think as soon as my core temp goes up a bit it sets off an attack.

As an experiment, I had an ice cold shower during my attack a few nights ago and it definitely helped! Does this help anyone else?

Sabine,  I can promise many people get some relief from icy-cold showers, air conditioners and sticking their heads in the snow.

Ice-packs are all the go around here with the favourite being a packet of frozen peas.

Glad you've found something that helps and have you heard about Red Bull-type energy drinks?  The ones with caffeine and taurine guzzled down at the first hint of a hit are also known to help.

Reaction to heat and cold is more complected for some of us. For me, extreme cold is as much a trigger as extreme heat. During attacks, an ice pack over the back of my head helps a little, but in many cases a hot compress on the right side of my face helps more.

When I was an avid runner I would have a cluster headache after running very frequently. Best thing I would recommend is getting on the Oxygen right after your run is over.