It's not a stupid question, but I can tell you that it doesn't happen to me, nor have I seen anyone else mention it. Many here are on verapamil, and one of the side effects is constipation.

Oh, yeah - welcome.

Welcome! No need to be embarassed! It could be just your body's response to it. I know for my aunt if she gets nervous, she has loose stools. (IBS) So it could just be some kind of reaction like that.

I wouldn't know about the loose stools, I'm on medication that slows my intestinal tract down, however, I do tend to have bowel movements during clusters. It's not fun in the least.

You are new here Kathleen....or else you would never have thought of this as an embarassing question at all.   


You would be so surprised at the subjects that are discussed here. 


Chronic 21 years.  That problem has never bothered me.  It may be certain meds you are on or something entirely different...

keep asking questions...we're here to answer


Linda

  During an attack I often sweat like a stuck hog. But afterwards I feel like I'm in a ice box sometimes. Although usually the endorphins are running around making me feel pretty mellow.
  By the way, welcome to the maelstrom. No such thing as a dumb question here in Chuck's nut house.
   Atleast thats who I'm blaming it on today. Feel priviliged Chucky.

Kathleen,
It's not a stupid question. In fact, that has happened to me pretty consistantly during my CH episodes.  I don't take any prescription preventatives which might interfere with that "side effect".  And it usually happens on any CH hit at a pain level 4 or above for me.

Two years ago I emailed Professor Goadsby about just this subject. I had read an abstract of his regarding a neuropeptide (VIP) which not only affects gastrointestinal activity, but also influences our circadian pacemaker in our hypothalamus.  Goadsby found that we have elevated levels of this neurotransmitter during attacks.  He was kind enought to email me back and said that this intestinal reaction isn't real common, but it's certainly not unheard of either.

The fluctuations of all these brain chemicals in our hypothalamus can really mess up the regulation of our body temperatures, so I think that going from hot to cold is fairly common.
Here's a link to Goadsby's abstract:
Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

I'm guessing that your intestinal side effects are directly related to your CH activity, especially if you're seeing it happening consistantly during the beginning of an attack, as I do.
Patti

Mrs Wo, I will admit I get a cold hand during my entire cycle especially at work.  My cycle ended last week and I usually had a hit around 6-8am every morning and one through the night.  During those morning hits at work my right hand espcially was ice cold.  
I never thought anything of it till you mentioned it.
Bizarre if  you ask me.  

Thank you guys for helping me feel so welcome here.   

I don't have O2 yet, have tried all the triptan stuff in the past to no avail, worked 1 out of 10 times if I was lucky. I take topamax, verap and magnesium.  Just got the verap last week.

I believe I hindered my GP for years because I refused to be a guinea pig any more.  I was tired of trying shit that just didn't work and I ended up in the ER all the time.  I have finally given in and am willing to do whatever he wants.  I was put on the topamax last year and it was great for a while and then once again, doesn't seem to be helping!  It is frustrating!  Sorry, I am shadowing right now and had a bad night.  I'm afraid I have become chronic because of my unwillingness to continue trying therapies in the past.  I didn't even know about CH, I thought it was just migraines and that they would one day go away!

Your support and responses here have meant a lot to me. I will continue to read all that I can and ask questions as they come up. You guys are great and I am glad to be a part of the "family".

Kathleen
Wichita, Kansas

Hey Kathleen.  This is actually a really good question.

In addition to all my other abnormalities I suffer from IBS.  I also experience bowel activity just prior to or during an attack.  I always felt that moving my bowels had a small but positive effect on my pain level.

Fortunately Verapamil is one drug that positively affects both my CH and my IBS.

Bob P is right in his observation.  The bowel is the largest store of seretonin outside the brain.

-Dennis-

Mrs Wo wrote on Aug 19^th, 2008 at 2:37pm:


I don't think being chronic or episodic has anything to do with whether you're trying out therapies.  My understanding is that there's an unknown underlying cause that makes our brain arteries dilate, and gives us the pain.  The therapies merely try to counteract the arterial dilation.  None of the therapies "cure" the mysterious underlying cause.

When I have an attack, I also get extremely cold.  I feel as if I am wrapped in frozen blanket.  When I start coming down from an attack, I jump into a hot steamy shower.  It helps to warm me up, but I still feel the chill. 

As for the stool part, I don't notice anything different at that end. 

angela

I've been on verap for years now-loose stools are not a problem-however I have noticed during the 28 years of CH that I have to pee really bad after each CH.  Weird. 
Also, I'm a world class sweater before and during hits (have had total strangers just watch me sweat in amazement  ) after I ususally get chilled for a few minutes.  Of course, we regularly have 100 plus degrees during the summer, so sweating would not be really that strange.  Except for the sheer volume and quickness-from zero to drenched in 60 seconds.
Wanted: one hypothalumus-in good repair and functioning within the normal range.  Probably the wrong place to advertise for this one.

pfdan y'all
kathy