Hey all,

I'm pretty sure stress is a primary trigger which can, ultimately, induce my cycles. What are your thoughts about stress and whether or not it is a key contributor. Also, I'm going through my second cycle in 4 months. I've never had back to back cycles before which is terrible - my CH switched from right to left and they hit me like clockwork, right before bed and as soon as I wake up. This has been crazy!!! Fortunately the Verapramil has elevated some of the pain and Im able to stick myself with imitrex when it's applicable.

Back to the stress question/s....
Could my level of stress taken me back into a second cycle like never before or am I potentially becoming chronic?


Thanks!

Stress and CH is an interesting combination which has come up several times however for those for whom there is a connection between the two it can take several forms:

• High stress as a trigger
• Low stress as a trigger
• Transitions between high / low stress as a trigger

Keeping a headache diary can help you identify which of these applies to you.

I know that for me the transition from high stress to low stress is a trigger for both CH and migraines, so what can help is to try to minimize the size of that transition, reducing the high stress and not relaxing too much on a weekend too.

As to what triggers a new cycle, I've not seen anything where this has been firmly identified other than for those who have a cycle aligned to seasons with spring / autumn (fall) being common.

Don't worry about being chronic or not. It is just a label, there is no difference in the CH itself and worrying won't help anything at all.

In times past these monsters have been know as Executive Headaches - the stress they suffer being known to start a cycle. They've also been known as Holiday Headaches as the sudden release from stress has been known to start a cycle.

Some CHeads need a stress-free existence for fear of it triggering a headache while others will tell to never relax, never unwind, and never ever sleep!

For myself I've twice had major cycles killed on the spot by the sudden onset of stress. Once when I was being shot at, then later when my dear father passed away unexpectedly. I can't recommend either as a cure.

It's likely one of the few things we all agree on - that stress, or the lack of it, may or may not be involved.

Gotta love democracy.

I've never heard of it referenced as the "Holiday Headache," but it makes perfect sense to me!  I have thought for years that low-stress is a trigger for me as I usually take two weeks vacation during the winter holidays and I am, at a minimum, having shadows by the start of vacation week two.  On the subject, my neuro told me on my last visit that he is starting to recommend yoga to all of his headache patients.  If I remember correctly, it had to do with regulating the level of stress in your life and keeping it constant.  While I haven't started yoga, I do know that when I walk for 30 minutes at least every other day on a constant basis, I have far fewer shadows per week and sometimes none.  This is also considered a stress maintenance technique, so it makes sense that it works.