Click this link to read a post I like on the clusterheadaches.com message board...

Chip80

CH.com Newbie

Offline

So this isn't a sinus
infection? Duh!

Posts: 23
x1|Farmington Hills|USA|usa|402|109|MI,Michigan
Gender: male

I'm back (unfortunately) after 2 years.
Jul 11^th, 2008 at 10:38am

Back again after 2 years of remission. CH hitting me like clockwork around 9pm each night, lasting 1.5-3hrs.

The cycle started again after I had been put on beta blocker for AFIB - got out of shape again (had been doing triathlons) and strained by right shoulder/back area again. The strain aggitated prior nerve damage from 20 years ago and here we go again.

My neurologist told me that a large percentage of CH cycles are precipitated by neck/should/back injuries. He gave me Axert to take which seems to work pretty good at aborting, although it takes about 30min to start working. I'm going to try Kudzu also this time. Would have tired LSA, but not sure it's a good time with heart surgery coming up in Sept.

I've got AFIB cath ablation surgery scheduled for Sept. After that I plan on getting back in shape again. Keeping my should and back strong is the best preventative for me.

Back to top

Set a bead on the northern plains and just roll that power on!

IP Logged

Click Here to visit the CH.com Facebook page!

Jonny Ex Member	Re: I'm back (unfortunately) after 2 years. Reply #1 - Jul 12^th, 2008 at 2:02pm Chip80 wrote on Jul 11^th, 2008 at 10:38am: My neurologist told me that a large percentage of CH cycles are precipitated by neck/should/back injuries. Never heard that one before and ive been in this game for nearly 34 years.
Back to top	IP Logged

Charlotte

CH.com Alumnus

Offline

Posts: 2385
Patterson,California
Gender: female

Re: I'm back (unfortunately) after 2 years.
Reply #2 - Jul 12^th, 2008 at 11:45pm

welcome back Carl/Chip80. I had good luck with the kudzu for about 14 months. Fortunately, when it stopped working for me, verapamil started working for me.

You can check with your pharmacist about using kudzu and beta blockers. I ran kudzu and verapmil together past my pharmacist, doc, & neuro - with the printed info in hand on kudzu.

I used a liquid form but the company stopped making it (I think I was the only one that used the liquid at that time). You can get kudzu quickly on line at both iHerb and Vitacost.

Charlotte

Back to top

IP Logged

Chip80

CH.com Newbie

Offline

So this isn't a sinus
infection? Duh!

Posts: 23
x1|Farmington Hills|USA|usa|402|109|MI,Michigan
Gender: male

Re: I'm back (unfortunately) after 2 years.
Reply #3 - Jul 14^th, 2008 at 2:51pm

I just went to a chiroprator in the area that my friends rave about. I've gone to a chiro before, but this guy was amazing. Using CRA (Contact Reflex Analysis) he identified 3 spots in my spine that were "out" and corrected. Just sitting here typing, my back feels better than it has in weeks - no more burning or spasms. He said that when my right shoulder/neck area muscles spasm they pinch the trigeminal nerve and that is triggering the CH. The muscles in my right upper right shoulder/neck area were knotted hard as rocks when I went in, but not now.

I have to go back to him 2 more times for adjustments. I hope and pray that this brings me relief, as nothing else seems to work.

In this cycle, I've tried all of the following:

Prednisone - On second course. No affect, other than making my voice very airy sounding.
Kudzu - No affect.
Oxy - Seems to bring relief while using, CH starts again shortly after tank empties.
Axert - Aborts the attack after about 45min.
Ice - Helps if I get it on my shoulder/back as soon as I notice the burning sensation starting.
Hot shower - While it tends to distract me from the CH pain, I think it's worse after I get out of the shower.
Advil - Nope

I've got to belief that I've got an atypical form of CH. Since it seems that my attacks are always precipitated by back/shoulder muscle spasms.

Back to top

Set a bead on the northern plains and just roll that power on!

IP Logged

Brew

Ex Member

Re: I'm back (unfortunately) after 2 years.
Reply #4 - Jul 14^th, 2008 at 3:00pm

Chiropractors can help a number of musculo/skeletal/structural issues, but CH isn't one of them.

Quote:

He said that when my right shoulder/neck area muscles spasm they pinch the trigeminal nerve and that is triggering the CH.

If he did, indeed, tell you this, run for the hills. Or, keep going back to him if he makes your frame feel better, but if he claims he can cure your CH, I would not return if I were you. How are his techniques supposed to fix a defective hypothalamus?

Back to top

IP Logged

Chip80

CH.com Newbie

Offline

So this isn't a sinus
infection? Duh!

Posts: 23
x1|Farmington Hills|USA|usa|402|109|MI,Michigan
Gender: male

Re: I'm back (unfortunately) after 2 years.
Reply #5 - Jul 14^th, 2008 at 3:12pm

Quote:

Chiropractors can help a number of musculo/skeletal/structural issues, but CH isn't one of them.

Quote:

He said that when my right shoulder/neck area muscles spasm they pinch the trigeminal nerve and that is triggering the CH.

If he did, indeed, tell you this, run for the hills. Or, keep going back to him if he makes your frame feel better, but if he claims he can cure your CH, I would not return if I were you. How are his techniques supposed to fix a defective hypothalamus?

I think, in my case, correcting my biggest trigger (muscle spasms), may be the right thing to do. Only time will tell. I can pretty much stay away from my other triggers right now (perfume, booze), but I can't seem to get my back/shouder under control.

I agree that Chiro can't cure a defective hypothalamus, but I do remember reading something recently that not all CH case are accompanied by abnormal hypothalamus.

I'll keep you guys posted and let you know if chiro made a diff with my CHs.

Back to top

Set a bead on the northern plains and just roll that power on!

IP Logged

Brew Ex Member	Re: I'm back (unfortunately) after 2 years. Reply #6 - Jul 14^th, 2008 at 3:37pm Quote: I'll keep you guys posted and let you know if chiro made a diff with my CHs. Please do.
Back to top	IP Logged

Charlie CH.com Alumnus Offline Happy to be here Posts: 18971 Jamestown, NY Gender:	Re: I'm back (unfortunately) after 2 years. Reply #7 - Jul 14^th, 2008 at 5:02pm I'm glad you're feeling better but don't spend a lot of time with chiropractors if they say they deal with CH.....Nope. Charlie
Back to top	« Last Edit: Jul 14^th, 2008 at 5:03pm by Charlie » There is nothing more satisfying than being shot at without result---Winston Churchill IP Logged

Tiannia

CH.com Alumnus

Offline

Life does not apologies......

Posts: 3422
Eugene, OR
Gender: female

Re: I'm back (unfortunately) after 2 years.
Reply #8 - Jul 14^th, 2008 at 5:08pm

I had 1 neuro who told me that I had Occipital Neuralgia along with Clusters. And that when I triggered the Occipital Neuralgia, that I showed a greater chance of triggering a cluster at the same time. So he treated the ON to try and reduce the number of CH I had. The treatment did not reduced the # of hits, but at least some of my day light hits where not as high a KIP. It did not touch the night hits at all.

Sorry you are back because of the CH, good to see you though.

Tia

Back to top

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

or

&&The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change. - Carl Rogers

IP Logged

Click Here to visit the CH.com Facebook page!

Chip80

CH.com Newbie

Offline

So this isn't a sinus
infection? Duh!

Posts: 23
x1|Farmington Hills|USA|usa|402|109|MI,Michigan
Gender: male

Re: I'm back (unfortunately) after 2 years.
Reply #9 - Jul 21^st, 2008 at 1:41pm

It's been exactly 1 week since I went to my new Chiroprator.
On Monday when I saw him the first time and he adjusted me, I had shadows of CH that evening but no attack. I've had some soreness in my back and shoulder off and on since last Monday, but NO MORE CHs since then. I've been extremely careful about staying away from my triggers and hope this cycle has come to and end.

I am not saying that the Chiroprator cured my CH, but he did correct what I believe to be my biggest trigger.

Back to top

Set a bead on the northern plains and just roll that power on!

IP Logged

Brew

Ex Member

Re: I'm back (unfortunately) after 2 years.
Reply #10 - Jul 21^st, 2008 at 5:49pm

Be careful not to confuse correlation with causation. What you experienced had way too many variables to be considered even close to a controlled experiment (i.e., really watching your triggers, the fact that it occurs over time, which may mean a natural cessation to your cycle, etc.).

That said, I'm glad you're feeling better.

Back to top

IP Logged

FramCire

CH.com Alumnus

Offline

Life like a froward child
must be humored a little

Posts: 1710
Bolivar, MO USA
Gender: male

Re: I'm back (unfortunately) after 2 years.
Reply #11 - Jul 21^st, 2008 at 6:16pm

Just a strange note to add. My very first cycle ended the same day I started having symptoms related to disks in my neck being out of place. I had to have 2 replaced, but the pain I experienced (for whatever reason) only started the day after my CH cycle ended. At least the neck pain could be controlled with Vicodin or percocet, unlike CH.

Back to top

You've overstayed your welcome since the day we met but it doesn't seem to matter to you. No medications are your master, nothing makes you fret, it's a helpless feeling having nothing I can do

IP Logged

	Welcome, Guest. Please Login or Register
	Search box updated Dec 3, 2011... Search ch.com with Google!