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Kristin

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Curiosity ... Cluster side versus handedness
Mar 5^th, 2011 at 9:39am

Something I've wondered about since joining this community is whether there is a relationship between the side we experience our clusters on, and our preferred "handedness". One reason I find this interesting is that I am generally ambidextrous, and I also experience headaches on both sides, tho never at once ... the cluster picks a side. My guess is that there is no relationship, but I figure it couldn't hurt to ask.

Kristin

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Brew CH.com Sponsor CH.com Alumnus Offline Posts: 14163	Re: Curiosity ... Cluster side versus handedness Reply #1 - Mar 5^th, 2011 at 11:07am If that were the case, 90% of CH sufferers would get hit on the same side, since 90% of people are right-handed. I'm pretty sure that's not the case.
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So_Cal_Guy

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Re: Curiosity ... Cluster side versus handedness
Reply #2 - Mar 5^th, 2011 at 12:47pm

Funny you should mention this, I'm 52 and started to have CH on the left side. At age 49 i hadn't had an attack in over 6 years, so i thought, "good, that's over with" but NOOOO, 2 years ago the beast came back but this time on my right side. Not sure what to make of this, but like you say the beast only attacks on one side.

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Charlie CH.com Alumnus Offline Happy to be here Posts: 18971 Jamestown, NY Gender:	Re: Curiosity ... Cluster side versus handedness Reply #3 - Mar 5^th, 2011 at 4:38pm Started on my left and stayed there. I tend to be left-oriented though. Charlie
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Kristin

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Re: Curiosity ... Cluster side versus handedness
Reply #4 - Mar 5^th, 2011 at 5:13pm

Funny how it can change like that. If physiology plays any kind of role, as some believe, I would expect there to be a greater measure of predictability than I've seen. All things have a cause, of course, and being the curious type I never stop wondering what it may be. And, since brain patterns are subject to influences ... eg, biofeedback ... there might be a control angle to consider. A recent abstract on pulse control via biofeedback in the treatment of clusters piqued my curiosity. Just another of so very many angles I have chased in my pursuit of some kind of solution to this.

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Kristin

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Re: Curiosity ... Cluster side versus handedness
Reply #5 - Mar 5^th, 2011 at 5:15pm

Funny how it can change like that. If physiology plays any kind of role, as some believe, I would expect there to be a greater measure of predictability than I've seen. All things have a cause, of course, and being the curious type I never stop wondering what it may be. And, since brain patterns are subject to influences ... eg, biofeedback ... there might be a control angle to consider. A recent abstract on pulse control via biofeedback in the treatment of clusters piqued my curiosity. Just another of so very many angles I have chased in my pursuit of some kind of solution to this.

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Kristin CH.com Newbie Offline I Love CH.com! Posts: 11 Houston Gender:	Re: Curiosity ... Cluster side versus handedness Reply #6 - Mar 5^th, 2011 at 5:17pm Sorry to post a redundant reply there ... still figuring out te msg board interface.
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Linda_Howell

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Re: Curiosity ... Cluster side versus handedness
Reply #7 - Mar 5^th, 2011 at 11:04pm

Over the last 11 yrs. this site has been here this subject comes up many times by newcomers trying to find some/ANY correlation they can pinpoint as a constant. There isn';t any.

There have been numerous threads over the years on this very subject. The results tell us nothing & even if they did what would it tell us??? I'm left-handed and get hit on the right side almost always. Right-handed people get hit on the left side. O....K.... so what?

Cluster headaches are a very UN-constant condition. What works for some almost always...stops working after a while. Dosages need to be upped for one cycle or scaled down for another. What drug worked...stops. What works for you..doesn't work for me.

I truly think we all need to stop making assumptions, stop trying to out-think things. It's a waste of emotions and time.

Look closely at what is out there. Listen to people who say this might or might not work. Educate yourself on what we DO know and make conscious decisions to try this or that and then educate your doctor if he is willing to learn. DON'T go to him empty handed though. Research...ask questions here..and STOP trying to find reasoning where there is none in left-handedness or color of eyes, or lioness features. LOL

O.k. I'm done. Let the bashings begin. I'm so ready!!!!!!! bring it on. Grin

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Hurt people.....hurt people. Think about it.

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KingOfPain

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Re: Curiosity ... Cluster side versus handedness
Reply #8 - Mar 6^th, 2011 at 2:38pm

Hi Kristin,
Interesting topic.

I am predominantly right handed but can utilize my hands ambidextrously should the need arise.
I have always been a "lefty" when it comes to CH hits.

As the saying goes, there are no stupid questions although,
some replies/responses on this board can be less than welcoming or courteous. Roll Eyes

Don't worry about those...as one of our CH family has said many times,
"Take what you need & leave the rest" [hi Den Smiley

].

Don't stop asking questions, that's how we ALL learn.

Edit to add:
I see your location is Houston.
There is going to be a Dallas Meet n Greet soon hosted by
Denny [Dallas Denny 62] & Cindy...March 25th, 26th, and 27th.

Here is the link/information:
Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

or

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« Last Edit: Mar 6^th, 2011 at 5:46pm by KingOfPain »

Arrived August, 1999.
We swallow greedily any lie that flatters us, but we sip only little by little at a truth we find bitter. - Denis Diderot
Thanks for the ignore function! Wink

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Kristin

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Re: Curiosity ... Cluster side versus handedness
Reply #9 - Mar 6^th, 2011 at 5:27pm

Lovely sentiments King ... thanx so much! As a scientist I never stop questioning so long as the problem remains. In my short time in this forum I've also seen conversations shutdown suddenly and for no apparent reason. The rubber band guy is a good example. What the hey? Sure, it seems unlikely, but there is no harm in trying. Seems to me we should all keep asking questions and never close off any path.

Tnx again!

K

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Kristin CH.com Newbie Offline I Love CH.com! Posts: 11 Houston Gender:	Re: Curiosity ... Cluster side versus handedness Reply #10 - Mar 6^th, 2011 at 5:29pm I won't bash you Linda ... you have a right to your opinion. K
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McGee CH.com Veteran Offline I Love CH.com! Posts: 220 Gender:	Re: Curiosity ... Cluster side versus handedness Reply #11 - Mar 10^th, 2011 at 10:47am i agree with Linda, Mark (<<<<< bullet proof)
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wimsey1

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Re: Curiosity ... Cluster side versus handedness
Reply #12 - Mar 11^th, 2011 at 8:01am

There is research to indicate it is almost a 50/50 split in the CH community, but left-handedness is somewhere around 18% in the general population. Too large a gap for there to be any correlation. Faulty hypothalmus? Yes, probably. That's why these have been labeled as primary headaches. Part of the scientific method, as you know, is buildig on what has been observed and measured and tested previously. We do break new ground from time to time, as in the very closely held opinion that taurine/caffeine boosts high flow O2 effectiveness...D3...melatonin...etc. Some of it is starting to make its way into the research community. Blessings. lance

ps no one shut rubber band guy down...witness the tons of responses...skeptical? sure. Having fun and maybe occasionally rude? yup. Shut down? no. Did you try the rubber band thingie?

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