Hello all...I have had headaches since the age of 15. They were never severe until I got into my late 20s. I moved to London from the US 5yrs ago. My headaches intensified tremendously in the UK. A year ago, I sought medication attention after waiting far too long. I was prescribed steroids and verapamil to dilate the blood vessels of the brain. I am fortunate to have good health insurance and was seen by a top GP who diagnosed me with clusters. I had no idea that this headache had a name. Then I was referred to a top neurologist. I was taking up to 5 verapamil a day for over a year. I looked at this cite often and my symptoms were identical too many. The 2am alarm headache, the real ice pick one. The dailies at 8am and 4pm, everyday for months and months. Then the occasional shocker that nearly paralyses you, which was usually the peak of the cycle and I sort of looked forward to since the next day was not nearly as bad. So thousands of pounds had been spent on doctors, MRIs, and medication yet no solution. A month ago, I went to see an allergist. I had a cambrdige food allergy test done and an environmental allergy test. It turns out I am allergic to so many everyday foods that I have been consuming for 30 years. It is only 5 days of not eating these foods, but I have been headache free for 4 days now for the first time in nearly 5 years. I strongly encourage anyone suffering from clusters to get a thorough food allergy test done. I feel as if I have my life back!!! I have not taken verapamil this week. The first time in well over a year. I am amazed that all of the doctors and specialist I saw never drew the conclusion between the headaches and allergies. Also, I had no visible signs that I was allergic. I am allergic to tomatoes, wheat, raw egg (ice cream.) If your clusters intensify after an ice cream cone with raw egg, you are probably allergic. That is what triggered me to see an allergist. I had an ice cream with my son and my brain felt as if it was going to pop. My headaches were a result of my immune system over reacting and fighting off all of the perceived toxins in my body. Here is what I am allergic to: Raw eggs (no ice cream, mayo, or mousse,) scallops, nectarines, oranges, tomato,  barley (no beer,) wheat (no pasta,) rye flour, almonds, cashews, peanuts, pistachio and walnut. I ate most of these foods on a daily basis and I think I found the source of my cluster. I hope this helps at least 1 other person. 

Glad you found something that has alleviated your pain. As Linda mentioned, allergies are typically not a component of CH. Many have had the allergy series done hoping to isolate a trigger and were unsuccesful. Praying your success continues and you'll be done with the headaches. Pain free time is truly a beautiful thing!

Joe

Thanks, all! After a fresh pot of coffee my brain works a little better.

B

Bob Johnson wrote on Jul 31^st, 2010 at 11:04am:


Bob, I'm not quite sure what you're saying especially in conjunction with what Linda wrote.

For some people MSG is a trigger.  Alcohol seems to universally be a trigger.  For this person, apparently many foods were a trigger. ???? 

If allergies and food sensitivities are not a factor in clusters - how can food(s) and alcohol be triggers?  Maybe it was because I wasn't at the convention and am not taking Linda's statement in context, but I'm really confused.

I know a number of clusterheads that went to Diamond and did exactly what the OP did, and by avoiding the food triggers, they have become pain free.

Gary has done the allergy testing (food and environment).  Unfortunately the only thing he's allergic to are bee stings and jellyfish.  Never had the opportunity to figure out if those are triggers.   

I really am not trying to be contentious, I'm just trying to figure out what's being said. 

Thanks,

Laurie

I agree with the others that although CH can be triggered by allergies, allergies are not the cause.

Allergies are a huge trigger for me, especially wheat. I got markedly better for quite a while after I quit eating all sources of gluten.   But then I got a concussion and everything came back worse than ever.

I'm so glad you found a trigger that you can avoid and control.  Just be careful, because even if you're in remission, it's only remission.  Chances are the headaches will come back, it's just the nature of the beast.  And we have seen a few people around here who got so upset when the CH came back that felt completely depressed and hopeless.   Depression, hopelessness, and extreme pain are a huge risk for suicide.

Please be VERY CAREFUL about your attitude.

In the mean time, congratulations on being pain free and good luck!

Great post, Bob...and thanks to all who helped clarify this topic. I did recently have allergy tests done only to find...nothing. Small allergic reaction to chlorine and benzine, but definitely not a strong trigger. I wanted there to be one, because if there was, that would make it much easier to control these things. But there wasn't. For those who have identified food or environmental triggers...great! Just beware of the morphing beast who galumphs through our preventatives by changing its plan of attack! lance

Joni wrote on Sep 1^st, 2010 at 2:31am:


I think it is a function of how people think about causality. Some diseases have relatively simple cause and effect - (Tuberculosis, HIV, ruptured appendix) while others are pretty complex and involve lots of variables that interact with each other (heart disease, cancer, etc).

Allergies are probably not the central mechanism for CH, but there is evidence that the immune system plays a role. In particular, there is a theory on the causation of clusters called the neuroimmune hypothesis. It has been shown that clusterheads have certain immune glitches, and that these can affect neurotransmitters and brain function.

Quote:

monty wrote on Sep 1^st, 2010 at 12:30pm:




I find that a fascinating study.  Thank you for finding it.

Interesting in several ways, not the least of which being that I also have an auto-immune disease.  I have wondered in the past if there was a link between the conditions somewhere...

I just re-read the thread,  Neuro,  and saw no flaming and there's also no need to worry about flames in reply your post here.

No-one is saying for a moment that allergies play no part in CH because it's openly accepted that they certainly do.  The discussion so far has been about the difference between causing Cluster Headaches as opposed to triggering an individual attack.

Eggs seem to be a big trigger for you and in avoiding them you've taken away a serious trigger which is allowing you a far greater joy in life.  It's the same as alcohol for many,  certain smells for others,  and all sorts of other things can trigger a hit for some.

As you say,  medical science doesn't know the cause of this dread condition but understanding your personal triggers,  be they allergies or otherwise,  is a very important part of managing the nightmare we must live with.

I'm thrilled you've found something that works well for you and thanks for passing it on as it may help others,

Brian in Oz.