Exercise and CH

23 Sep, 2013 - 10:41 am

Hello All,

Ive been cluster free since April. However seems i have taken up an "intense" exercise regime as part of a programe with my fitness/ Yoga centre, i have started to get normal headaches alot, i drink alot of water so its not due to dehydration. But now when i lay down, i start getting a pain behind right eye and wake at 3am. I prop myself up and wake at 7am, same deal, so i just get up. This has only happened since exercise. Im worried that im going to bring on a CH attack....Has anyone else have this issue with exercise as a CH sufferer?

A bit of my history.......but when CH started 13 years ago, they were treated as migraines, as they first came on while doing excerise with a PT, so i stopped these hard workouts and my mid year attacks also stopped.

A few years after, i was advised they were CH. I typically get a attack once year, usually Jan-Feb (this year mar- apr though?). Av length, 6 weeks, with 2-5 attacks a day. Always come on 1-2 hours after falling asleep and then 2 hours there after, until i just get up. And just one day, they will stop! But i can bring on an attack through day with food/ alcohol within 2-5 mins, but ive learnt the triggers and avoid those foods/ drinks during a cluster.

I want to get fit, but i dont want to suffer a set of CH attacks....

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25 Sep, 2013 - 7:49 am

Hi Katy,
hopefully it's just a horrible co-incidence.
what happens if you scale down the fitness regime? Say, walking on the beach every day and only fresh unprocessed foods, instead of full on? Maybe that'll be enough to keep you active without triggering attacks.
If nothing else, it might help eliminate causes and triggers.
BTW, it's possible to drink tons, but not uptake water properly. The effect will be the same.
Have you tried Batch's Vit D regime? It has helped many CH sufferers.
best wishes Peter.

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25 Sep, 2013 - 11:51 am

Thanks for your response Peter,

This is a passage I found after doing research on exercise and CH sufferers.

“Headache during exercise may be happening if you suffer cluster headaches, which occur in cycles and are particularly painful. Cluster headaches produce sharp pain typically on one side of the head and may affect your eyes as well. Exercise can set off these headaches because physical activity raises your body temperature, and increased body temperature is a known trigger for cluster headaches. If you experience cluster headaches, avoid physical exertion during a cluster period”


Im fine walking at steady pace and doing yoga. Its the fitness sessions with pushups, squats, situps and set after set i find an issue with. but without these, i dont get the results i want. However my health and setting of a 6 week attack is defintely out of the question!!!

Tonight i will be taking my class at half pace and stop and use a cooling breath and suck iceblocks, wet cloth.... can only try.... guess how i go with my sleeping pattern and whether i wake with headaches will show...

I eat very fresh and wholemeal foods, so eating isnt a trigger.

Can you please advise the Batchs Vit D regime?

Regards katy

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27 Sep, 2013 - 8:43 am

Hi Katy,
I try not to put too much weight on words- regardless of the book. What happens to you might not have ever been covered before.- maybe you're unique?

Batch's Vit D regime is covered in many places- have a look, you'll find them.
cheers peter

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27 Sep, 2013 - 2:37 pm

Thanks, found a link to it. I will try Vit D.

I have already been using Fish oil and Magnesium on advice.

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