New to form but not to CH

[jaymc]

Hey guys, I just stumbled upon this forum about 2 months ago. Reading all I can and absorbing as much information as possible. My story is like most here. Im 27 now, CH started to hit when i was 20. Did not know what was going on. Doctors, doctors , and more doctors giving me stress medications and headache Meds. During one of my many hits in the middle of the night i would pace around and around untill i could sit down and start googling. That's when i found out about CH. I found a new doctor, who is very young. It took him about 15 minutes before he suggested that my headaches were not migraines or stress, but rather CH. He gave me verapamil, it helped for the last cycle but i belive it was just coming to a end on its own when started taking it. This year it has not helped. 

 

The 1st 6 years were like clock work. Around Canada i would get my 1st hit. Then about 1-2 per day, usually one during the day at the same time every day. Then one at night at roughly the same time. Lasting about 6-9 weeks. Shadows meant a hit was coming and i had about 5-10 minutes to get ready. 

This year is way different in so many ways. Beginning of April i started getting shadows, 4 months earlier then my previous 6 years. Weird to me? Now May 31st and still only shadows. Every day about 2-3 shadows lasting from 1-4 hours. Left side as always. With the left side nostril plugged for the duration of the  shadow. 

I am extremely grateful to have stumbled upon this site, When feeling trapped from my CH i often read Threads on this form which seems to bring my moral up about having CH. 

I don't let CH stop me from doing anything. I've been getting by with it for 7 years now and somehow pull through each cycle. 

I would like to stop the Shadows this year. I am currently on a 4 month travel trip across Canada and into the US. So getting any kind of natural Meds would be good. I don t want to bust since im not in the comfort of my home. No out of province/country health plan, so doctors are a no go. 

My question is; Is this common to some people? Having a cycle of only shadows? Any natural remedies that seem to help people with shadows? 

[CHfather]

Ginger tea or authentic ginger candy are known to help some people with shadows.  Best way to make the tea, in my opinion, is to boil some cut-up pieces of ginger, though some use powdered ginger (which you have to keep stirring to mix well).  The recommended kind of candy (available at amazon) is made by The Ginger People.  Ginger beer/ginger ale, too: Reed’s Extra Ginger Brew, Ginger People’s Ginger Beer, Natural Brew Outrageous Ginger Ale or Blenheim 1903 Hot Ginger Ale.

Next I'm into "I think" territory, but I think energy shots, such as 5-Hour Energy, help some people with shadows, and I think oxygen is very helpful for some people, too.

You might look at Bejeeber's post near the end of this thread, and possibly Cenzo's at the top of the thread, for an additional idea or two. https://clusterbusters.org/forums/topic/4968-newbie-ch-relief-with-your-thumb/#comment-51941

Another poster (urs) has said white tea got rid of his shadows.  He said this about white tea: >>white tea differs from all the others. the same leaves are sun dried but NOT fermented or even further processed<<

 

[spiny]

Hi jaymc!

Check and check CHF! Yes, caffeine can help with shadows and so can O2.

Ginger is great for shadows! I carry ginger candy.

Traveling with CH can be tough. Especially changes in altitude and barometric pressure. So, if I am going to a higher altitude, I hit the caffeine first. It helps. If a weather front is moving in, again caffeine. Sometimes I carry chocolate coated coffee beans as a treat when needing some caffeine.

Oh, by the way, the beast is well known for changing on you! I am sorry that you have had a turn for the worse this year.

ATB

spiny