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Hi Chole, I had COVID a long while back and got lucky as it only lasted about 5 days and did not aggravate my ECH. However I had that new strain of flu a few months back and it threw me and my CH for a loop (caused out of cycle random attacks). I think any type of infection/virus that depletes the system can cause this not just COVID. Thankfully I did not turn chronic either. The effect of COVID for me was similar to the now old fashion flu bug and lastly I couldn't answer the busting with M/L as I have not had to try them yet but if it makes any difference it did not interfere with RC busting. Hope you are doing well!

I can get an abort in minutes by soaking in a tub of really hot water. It works like a charm for me but you have to be on top of it in the early minutes while it's ramping up or it tends to not work. I think I have made it work at least 50-100 times now. Been a while since LSD busting. Doing pretty good!

We do know that low D makes for worse Covid, don't we? Everyone should be adding it! So, yes, it might be due to the D that I take daily. Or it is just location or really great luck! All three of my kids had it. But they do not live close.

I have been doing the very hot bath method since before I joined here. I start out with about 2'-3"s of very hot water. For me, a cool cloth on my Ch side helps too, As the water cools, I add more hot. At the end of the hit, I have a normal bath in depth and still quite hot. As in the bottom half is bright red from the heat. I thought of this when pondering blood vessel dilation and heat. It has to be done very early in the hit as xBoss said. Just run it as hot as you can stand. My theory is that it dilates the blood vessels on your bottom half, thereby reducing the pressure in your head. Another trick I have used is to down some caffeine about 20 - 30 minutes before an anticipated hit. That has often prevented the first hit of the night. They come like clock work, so I know when to get the caffeine in for me. Might be worth trying.

I also use the hot water method and need no less than 105-106 to get er done.. This high temp is also effective in bringing you down from unwanted side effects from things like alternative medicine...

That's actually a great thing @spiny !! Maybe a halo effect from the D3 Regimen!

Sorry that I can't help Chloe! I have not had Covid fortunately!

During an attack the blood vessels swell and or go through a flooding of sorts, causing more blood around the brain. The over flow of blood and pressure surrounding the nerves can cause an attack by sending a pain message to the brain. Caffeine restricts the vessels limiting the intake of blood to the brain thereby aiding in the abort and or ceasing of the attack. Hope that makes sense.

I'm not aware of research. It's well-known of course that caffeine helps, and many people think that the taurine in energy beverages, either alone or in some connection to the caffeine, also helps. If you're going to be relying in part or in full on caffeine, try to stay away from it at times when you're not using it for attacks. As with so many other things, it seems you can build a tolerance to caffeine that reduces its effectiveness. Depending on which Monster drink you used, you might well find that it has less caffeine than the much smaller, quicker-to-get-down energy shots, such as 5-Hour Energy. A "standard" Monster has about 80ish mg of caffeine, whereas the standard 5-Hour Energy has more than 200mg, and the extra strength 5-Hour has close to 250mg. Assuming that O2 has worked for you but isn't now -- some/many people find that if the pressure in the oxygen tank is low (maybe 1/3 full, or less full), O2 doesn't work as well.

You see those nice Medical O2 tanks on my deck? THEY WERE FREE!!!!! Yes. I saw my Neuro last week and requested a script for O2. He gladly obliged and WE filled out a form. Our local O2 carrier is Lincare. The form has a bunch of questions unrelated to Clusters, so we left those blank. There were a lot of blanks! It stated ' minimum of 15LPM with a non-rebreather mask for 15 minutes, as needed for Cluster Headache'. My delivery came in 24 hours!! They will bring however much I require every week. 'How long does one tank last for you? How many next week?' So, should you need it and you are on Medicare, you can now receive it!! I am in heaven. Also in cycle, but this project makes it SOOOO worth the pain. I am delighted to have this cycle and uncover this stupid mystery we have been wondering about. Thanks to all of those who were able to attend 'Headache on the Hill'!!! WE WON!! Ok, time for a massive HAPPY DANCE. Yes, I will Pin this!