Posted by gary g (208.133.217.53) on October 09, 1999 at 00:40:28:
In Reply to: nasal congestion a trigger? posted by jen on October 08, 1999 at 21:07:42:
I noticed quite a while back that a cluster often seemed to follow a cold/flu like bout for me -
BUT in the last several clusters I've been paying close attention, and think it is more apt to actually be a common part of the overall cluster onset than it is a separate 'triggering" event
my initial "malaise" only lasts a couple days (so not a cold) and has no fever or digestive symptoms; and then tends to give way to the cluster precursors - some of which you mentioned
as far as those associated symptoms you report having without attacks - sounds EXACTLY like what often happens with me - as it has been now for about 3 weeks - I think it's what some folks are calling shadows
I'm afraid I gotta suggest that you & I ARE in an active phase of CH right now, and the imbalance pendulum just hasn't swung far emough yet to start producing the characteristic extreme pain attacks - had 2 or 3 mild ones a while back, and chased 'em back into their cave
so far I've been able to "hold off" the attacks with a variety of behavioral and medication "tricks", and once in a great while I succeed in doing that for the full active cluster - I get the precursors, but very few if any attacks
unfortunately, I only get away with that about 1 in 3 times - so right now I'm in that nasty "waiting for the other shoe to drop" phase
how I deal at this point:
unlimited sleep - I just don't set the alarm clock & don't get up until I just can't sleep any more
lots of benadryl - 8 to 10 a day
NO extreme physical exertion, but mild exercise every day - walk a couple miles, that sort of thing
have also been experimenting taking a 3mg melatonin every night at bed -
so far so good
but because I'm using it AND the benadryl, I can't make any fair claims for the melatonin, and I'm too much of a woosss to stop the benadryl while I've got a chance of dodging the attacks