Posted by Brian W on June 14, 1998 at 22:38:18:
In Reply to: Another Crazy Theory? posted by Carl on June 14, 1998 at 20:51:51:
I was chronic for 10 years and could expect a dance with the monster at any time.
The only time i was fairly certain not to have a cluster was when i did have a cold or the flu,
or when i had a hangover. Yup, a hangover. I personally don't believe that alcohol causes any
more disruption to a person's system than demerol and at least i could control the amount
of beer that i took to ease the pain. The side effect for me would be a painfree day afterwards.
If i had an important duty to perform on Tuesday, i would drink beer on Monday night. Tuesday was
sure to be cluster free. Of course, look out for Wednesday. I was advised by my doctor to avoid alcohol
and it seemed to make no difference in the severity or frequency of my headaches. (Except that alcohol would
bring one on immediately if there was 'one on deck lurking'). Sometimes I would trigger one to
get it out of the way and have a few hours of peace.
Again, this self treatment was after several years of no effective medical treatment, no information and no
support. It was tolerable for me under the circumstances. Of course, i thought the first cluster headache
was the stroke that was going to kill me so when it turned out to be nonfatal pain it was good news. Everything
is relative, isn't it?
As an addendum to the fungus/cluster relationship> I have been painfree for 2 years, thanks to Sansert. Yesterday
my usual 'shadow cluster' demonstrated some pain. Also, for the first time in years, i am developing a case of Athletes
Foot. I expect to allow the clusters and the foot problem to develop and treat them with an antifungal therapy, just to see
if there may be a connection. Sansert at the ready..
Painfree days to all,
Brian W.