I don't believe I posted much last fall when I usually get my cycles, simply because I didn't go through much of a cycle last fall. Still haven't figured out why it didn't hit me last fall, I have been having fall cycles going on 7 years now, lasting 2 to 3 months. Here we are going into the summer and now I'm cycling.

One of the last things I believe I posted was asking if anyone has tried and had success with magnesium supplements. Of course there were mixed comments. I've recently been researching (online forums and articles) if histamine may play a role in clusters.  I've ran across a few sites that considered cluster headaches as histamine headaches, so I tried looking a little more into how much histamine may be involved with clusters and headaches in general.

I'm sure all of have come to the conclusion that something is just not quite right chemically which is causing the clusters and from all the research I've done, seems as though different things work for different people. The reason why I am now focusing on histamine is because I suffer other histamine related issues and wonder if there are others that do also. One article I read stated there is an increase in histamine levels during the cluster attack, but for migraines the histamine increase comes after the attack.

I've searched for histamine on this sight and surprisingly only one post came up talking about histamine indirectly. I'm not stating every cluster sufferer has a histamine imbalance or has too much histamine in their body, I'm just reaching out for whatever makes sense for me and in the process perhaps it may lead someone else in the right direction also. In doing research on histamine or how to achieve a histamine balance of course vitamin and minerals are suggested. I found it curious that Magnesium helps lower histamine levels. I have yet to try taking a magnesium supplement daily for an extended period of time to see if it actually does help.

I was curious to see if anyone has actually looked into histamine having an effect or had done their own research or trail and error evaluation relating to histamine.

I have researched the histamine connection several times over the years.  I have other histamine-related conditions (vasomotor rhinitis and excess stomach acid) which drove my curiosity about all this.  Histamine levels are raised during attacks, but all I can find about it is an association, not a cause. Some endocrinologists have labeled this "histadelia."  Reducing histamine production in a meaningful way is a biochemical/nutritional approach which hasn't been shown to be very effective or permanent.  Taking antihistamines won't do much for CH either.  As Lance stated, Magnesium is a very important part of the D3 treatment.  I'm currently having good results from the D3 regime and the additional magnesium that goes with it, but even with this treatment, the histamine-related stuff continues.
~pattik 

At one time the Beast went by the name histamine headaches because of the monstrous release of histamine during the headache. They weren't sure if histamine was responsible for the condition, or a result of the condition. In the intervening time, they've begun to understand them better and have found histamine is released in large quantities because of the headache. They have no idea why. If it was a cause, antihistamines would be decent preventatives or abortives, but they are neither. They can't even mitigate the release of histamine in an attack.

Histamine Desensitization Therapy: I know the protocol & can recite it. It DEFINATELY helps me, but it won't 'cure' (sorry) my clusters. It gives me much needed longer breaks from the relentless attacks.

Unless you find a great neuro, most won't even attempt it (Lack of experience). Most hospitals can't/WON'T do it. Only 2 hospitals in the USA that I know of that would do it. The DIAMOND HEADACHE CLINIC in Chicago is the most likely and the easiest place to get it (St. Joseph's Hospital in Lincoln Park).

If you have more questions, just ask away. I've done it many, many times in Indiana & in Chicago.

And check out:
Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

PS. There is SOMETHING definitely there between histamine and cluster headaches. I wonder exactly why one of the names they call these 'Cluster headaches' -> "Histamine Headaches" ? Desensitizing a cluster patients body to histamine CAN stop the attacks and DOES FOR ME, temporarily (unfortunately) ... but hey, it helps!

EDITED TO ADD:
"Cluster headaches have been called by several other names in the past including Erythroprosopalgia of Bing, Ciliary
neuralgia, Erythromelagia of the head, Horton's headache (named after Bayard T. Horton, an American neurologist),
Histaminic cephalalgia, Petrosal neuralgia, sphenopalatine neuralgia, Vidian neuralgia, Sluder's neuralgia, and
Hemicrania angioparalyticia."

(SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA "CLUSTER HEADACHE" PDF FILE)

ALSO ADDING:

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

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

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

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

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

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

" Histamine desensitization and surgical intervention may be considered for chronic cluster headache patients who have not responded to other forms of standard therapy." (SOURCE:Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or )

There IS a lot more pro and con info on the web. It is not a cure all. I agree that what helps some patients may not help another patient. Each person and each beast may react  / respond differently. BUT I'M SURE GLAD I DID IT AND STILL DO IT WHEN NEEDED!

I'm NOT a doctor, I'm a chronic clusterhead that's been around these boards for years. Don't let the # of postings fool you. But, I still always say CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR and you'd probably have to get a referral to the specialists for this treatment because like I said, most hospitals, doctors, and neuro's won't even try this treatment ( Or "can't )

One last thing: I was Xtremely skeptical when first trying this treatment as so many 'new treatments' failed ... and this one (Histamine Desentization) ALSO FAILED for me TWICE IN A ROW but my doctor (Dr. Merle Diamond) talked me into trying it 'just one more time' AND IT STOPPED MASSIVE, FREQUENT, DAILY ATTACKS FOR MANY, MANY WEEKS !! 
Good Luck !

I4B