Hey there,

I just started a really terrible cycle of CH after a few years pain free. Had a 9kip or so the other day. Shook my world pretty bad.  Most of the others are 7's. I was referred to an acupuncturist by a coworker, whom I visited today (Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or ). The woman had lots of experience with migraines, but had never worked with a cluster headache sufferer (there aren't many of us). After narrowing down the painful points, she threw in a few needles, and then let me hang out for a bit and relax. While she was gone, she did a quick bit of research to see what is best for clusters in eastern medicine.

She prescribed me:

-Vitamin D supplements (says cluster headaches could be due to vitamin D deficiency)
-Melatonin Spray (as a preventative, to use before bed)
-Plasque Flower (a vasodilator, gets the blood moving, says may prove to be a good abortive tool. Haven't tried it yet.)

She is also putting together a formula of chinese herbs for me to order.

Since the acupuncture treatment a few hours ago, my shadow has diminished significantly. Looking forward to seeing how this might help. Glad to find a better treatment than being cracked out on coffee all day.

Has anyone here ever tried acupuncture/eastern medicine here? I looked through the threads real quick and didn't see anything. I'll keep you posted how it works out.

-Nick

NickO wrote on Sep 4^th, 2009 at 8:12pm:


Isn't a vasodilator the LAST THING we need??

Quote:


I'm trying to think of a better way of putting it but I dont think there is one.

Pixie-elf wrote on Sep 4^th, 2009 at 10:01pm:


It would seem...

Pixie-elf wrote on Sep 4^th, 2009 at 10:01pm:

It is a vasodilator!!!

Verapamil does relax the smooth muscles by making them respond only sluggishly to nerve signals.

For a clusterhead it slows down the otherwise fast expansion of some arteries in the head, by slowing down the longitudinal muscles.

If high blood pressure is caused by over-constricted arteries, relaxing the circular muscles around them brings the desired result.

If it must be, you could call verap a vasoconstrictor in the first case and a dilator in the second one. But best, call it what it is: a Ca-channel blocker.


                

Marc wrote on Sep 4^th, 2009 at 10:35pm:


Ah, I didn't mean it was specifically one, but that it has that effect. Most calcium channel blockers do. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or Mentions some about it's action as one.

If our problem were simply "Vasodialators are bad and vasoconstrictors are good" they'd probably already have a cure by now.

Marc-I love your posts.   

There are quite a few different pasque flowers - traditional uses for some include treating spasms, neuralgia and headache. Some are being investigated for treating alzheimers and their neuroprotective effect.   One study showed that a variety inhibited nitric oxide production, which indicates possible relevant activity, though that is hypothetical. 

Some can be rather toxic. It seems that many pasque flower preparations in common use are homeopathic, suggesting very low or zero dose. Homeopathic preparations are unlikely to be toxic, but not likely to be effective.

I go to a chiropractor regularly.  It certainly doesn't stop the Ha's, but my muscles are so tight that they pull everything out of whack.  It helps more to go to a masseuse.  I did both until my masseuse died and I just haven't replaced her.  I went to her for 15 years.  I don't know that I got less HA's, but it sure helps with the tight knotty muscles in my upper back and neck!!!  I also get a facial nerve thing going on sometimes with my headaches and it stops that.  I wish I could tell you that it stopped my headaches.

Joni   

Guess I'm the exception on accupuncture -- it triggered my CH. It felt great when I had it done, but an hour later I got hit with a BIG Kip and after about 5 or 6 of these (same pattern) I decided that I could do without that.... (thought I'd given it a shot long enough).

But the one thing to remember around here -- WHAT WORKS FOR ONE DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK FOR THE NEXT ONE! We all have to do what works for us.

About 70% of us get relief from O2 and swear by it. Me, I take Calicum citrate, magneism, and zinc several times a day (Pete told me to do that). It seems to be helping me. And I take melatonin at night before bedtime. Sleep like a baby most nights and don't get night hits (been doing this for years - works for me).

But I ALSO take topamax each night as a preventative (have for 10 years - I'm chronic).

What I'm getting at - each one of us has to find our magic bullet and what works for US. There's a LOT to read on this board - what works and what hasn't worked for us. I'd suggest you READ READ READ. Then it's a trial and error thing. O2 seems to be the one thing MOST of us agree on that works.

Hugs BD