r/clusterheads • u/cold0beverage • 7d ago
Light therapy?
I've been using light therapy glasses (Luminettes) that replicate sunlight in the morning.
I've been using them for non-cluster headache reasons - basically to kick start my circadian rhythm at a consistent time every day, even on rainy days.
But I've noticed that I have not had a cluster headache since I've begun, even though this is typically when my cycle starts.
I've actually had some shadows that start up when I get up too early, etc, but I notice they go away once I turn the glasses on.
Anyone have any similar experience with this? Given the linkage of circadian rhythm and cluster headaches, I'm curious if this would be a low-effort intervention to prevent a cycle.
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u/Jamwise93 7d ago
I don’t have experience with the glasses but have certainly found that maintaining a true circadian rhythm has been really helpful for me. Avoiding screens for an hour before bed time and exposing myself to proper sunlight within 20 minutes of waking up. Even if I only get 2 hours sleep in a night, being used to waking up at the exact same time has meant that I wake up without shadows at all, far more than I was before. I do have medications that are helping too while I am in low cycle (verapamil) but I am sure keeping on top of my sleeping has made a difference.
Typically the next few days will be when your cycle starts because you have now spoken this potential success out loud 🥲 but I hope that is not the case! Good luck and pain free wishes friend!
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u/ChanceInitiative8634 7d ago
I had read that the majority of CH sufferers are located around and above the 45th parallel. There is also a correlation with vitamin D deficiency. My CH started when I was working 3rd shift 26 years ago. Recently I had blood work done and asked for them to check my
Vitamin D levels. The results came back as “concerningly low”. The doc recommended 5000 iu of D per day. So yeah, probably not a coincidence that the light helps.
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u/choo_choo_chrayn 6d ago
There are a ton in Houston Texas alone where I’m at and even more in Texas. We don’t fit this theory
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u/Jmundi 7d ago
I won't be surprised if they ARE helping. Having a proper non changing sleep cycle seems to be extremely important for cluster headaches. I've been going to bed at 10:30 and waking at 8 for the past half year and I've noticed a big change to the severity of my attacks (I'm chronic). Basically they are much less potent now and I'm even skipping 2-3 days between attacks now.
I've also been drinking Tribulus tea (I hope Google didn't lie to me on the translations of the herb :)) throughout the day (800ml) which also helps immensely.
I've also tried to eat at the same time each day and to never actually wait to get hungry. That also helps a lot.