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Topic: Any info on transition from episodic to chronic? (Read 352 times) |
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Pistol Pete
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Any info on transition from episodic to chronic?
« on: Jun 26th, 2003, 5:03am » |
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Can anyone here describe their transition from episodic to chronic?
I made a post yesterday describing a long lasting (4 months and counting), mild cycle and received an email from Judy informing me that this type of cycle marked the beginning of her chronic headaches.
This is a useful piece of information, but not what I wanted to hear. I have read this board off and on since I was diagnosed years ago and my heart has always gone out to both the chronic sufferers and those that get hit multiple times a day.
I have been one of the "lucky" ones, every two years or so, a 6 week cycle, one headache a day, 45 minutes and on with my life.
Of course the cycles are always somewhat different. First cycle only triggered by alcohol, quit drinking, no headaches. Second one, triggered by alcohol, but would show up occasionally even after I quit drinking. Third one, drinking didn't make a bit of difference, same time every day, drinking or not (that's when I finally saw a doctor).
I have never been to the ER. I've tried, drove there a couple of times and sat in the waiting room, but with a 45 minute duration the headache would go away and I would leave without seeing a doctor.
Any information you chronic sufferers can provide would be appreciated. I am seeing the doc on Tuesday and will be discussing which meds to try next.
Good luck and PFDs to all.
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CJohnson
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Re: Any info on transition from episodic to chroni
« Reply #1 on: Jun 26th, 2003, 7:25am » |
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Here is an article from the headache journal on this very topic. Maybe you can get *cough*hack*cough* a password so that you can read it. I think you can buy 30 day access to the article for $29. LOL! Oh well.
Anyway, here is a link to the abstract of the article:
http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/abstract.asp?ref=0017-8748&vid=43 &iid=3&aid=41&s=
PFDANs
-Curtis
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Pistol Pete
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Re: Any info on transition from episodic to chroni
« Reply #2 on: Jun 26th, 2003, 7:51am » |
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Thanks Curtis,
I am not done reading yet, but I found the article at www.biomedcentral.com as well.
Signed up for a free trial and the article was available.
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Virginia
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Re: Any info on transition from episodic to chroni
« Reply #3 on: Jun 26th, 2003, 11:23am » |
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I don't really remember a "transition" from episodic to chronic. I do remember that I went 6 months without a headache (at the time that was really good for me) at the end of 97. And when they came back in '98, they never went away.
sorry I can't give more info.
Virginia
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oringkid
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Re: Any info on transition from episodic to chroni
« Reply #4 on: Jun 26th, 2003, 11:57am » |
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Whoa! Don't jump off the deep end yet! I am episodic and I have had episodes that lasted 5 months! BUT, my last one in the spring of 2002, lasted only about 2 months! They mutate...back and forth, up and down.
Worrying about becoming chronic may not make you chronic, but it sure doesn't help ya none!
Sherry
Don't worry, ... be Happy. 
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Marc
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Re: Any info on transition from episodic to chroni
« Reply #5 on: Jun 26th, 2003, 12:47pm » |
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In my case, there was no transition or warning, I just woke up one morning and said "Gee, I think I'll become a chronic Clusterhead"
What can I say - compost happens.
Don't start assuming anything yet, just go ahead and work with your doctor to deal with what you have now.
Best of luck!
Marc
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Roxy
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Re: Any info on transition from episodic to chroni
« Reply #6 on: Jun 26th, 2003, 12:54pm » |
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Sorry I can't be more help to you. I just woke up one morning with an "unusual headache", and I've been chronic ever since.
Tracey
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Pistol Pete
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Re: Any info on transition from episodic to chroni
« Reply #7 on: Jun 26th, 2003, 12:55pm » |
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I am just trying to get a better handle on this current cycle. Never had one this long or this mild before.
Oh, by the way, I never worry. Every problem falls into one of two categories, those you can do something about and those you can't.
If you can do something, do it, don't worry about it. If you can't, why worry?
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Linda_Howell
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Re: Any info on transition from episodic to chroni
« Reply #8 on: Jun 26th, 2003, 1:27pm » |
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Same as Mark, Pete.
Episodic for 5 yrs. and then they just didn't go away. No warning, not even a little "hehehe. Gotcha" from him.
11 yrs. chronic now and I keep hoping this is just a fluke.
Yeah, right LindaH
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MarkHW
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Re: Any info on transition from episodic to chroni
« Reply #9 on: Jun 26th, 2003, 3:23pm » |
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My cycles just got closer and closer together.
I was episodic in the Spring....
Then in Spring & Fall
Then I had like a month or so between cycles... then a week... then a day.... then poof none.
Mark
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Jayne
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Re: Any info on transition from episodic to chroni
« Reply #10 on: Jun 26th, 2003, 4:20pm » |
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Mine happened just like MarkHW's
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Pistol Pete
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Re: Any info on transition from episodic to chroni
« Reply #11 on: Jun 26th, 2003, 4:28pm » |
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I appreciate the information. From what I have heard so far, I firmly believe I am not chronic.
In fact, I have decided I am never going to have a headache higher than kip-3 again!
Thanks for your help.
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Pistol Pete
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Re: Any info on transition from episodic to chroni
« Reply #12 on: Jun 26th, 2003, 4:36pm » |
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Re-reading my last post, it occured to me that I may sound sarcastic and that is certainly not my intention, I was trying to be funny.
My sincere thanks to all that responded, I really do appreciate the information. Like most of you this is the only place I can communicate with people that have been through this.
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cathy
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Re: Any info on transition from episodic to chroni
« Reply #13 on: Jun 26th, 2003, 4:49pm » |
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Hi Pistol Pete....
Welcome to the board sorry your cycle has been so long...PF vibes and wishes that it's just a fluke..., btw...if you could try just a wee bit harder to be funny it'd be greatly appreciated.  thats sarcasm.
Cathy ;D
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| « Last Edit: Jun 26th, 2003, 4:51pm by cathy » |
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Pistol Pete
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Re: Any info on transition from episodic to chroni
« Reply #14 on: Jun 26th, 2003, 5:13pm » |
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With replies like that, I'm going to go for sarcastic.
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eyes_afire
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Re: Any info on transition from episodic to chroni
« Reply #15 on: Jun 26th, 2003, 5:17pm » |
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Hi Pete. No warning here either. My cycles used to last for 6 months, with a 6 month break in between. Little did I know that my 'cycle' that started in September 2001 would last until October 2002. Then the pain stopped from October 2002 until April 2003 although I still had all the other CH symptoms for that time. Then in April 2003 the full blown attacks started again. Lucky for me I've been on verapamil and it has been very effective in preventing the full blown attacks, but I'm still getting tons of the other symptoms.
--- Steve, one of many...
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Pistol Pete
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Re: Any info on transition from episodic to chroni
« Reply #16 on: Jun 26th, 2003, 5:25pm » |
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Thanks Steve,
Verapamil is first on my list for next thing to try. I have an appt on Tuesday and my doctor is usually pretty accomodating, not a headache expert, but familiar enough with the topic and definitely sympathtic.
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Callico
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Re: Any info on transition from episodic to chroni
« Reply #17 on: Jun 27th, 2003, 12:04am » |
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Hi Pistol Pete,
Great name. Sure miss the original, but he wasn't a clusterhead.
No transition for me. Episodic, once or twice a year for a couple of months at a time until March of last year. They just didn't quit.
Wish you the best at the Drs.
jc
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ccbiggsoo7
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Re: Any info on transition from episodic to chroni
« Reply #18 on: Jun 27th, 2003, 1:54am » |
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Pete, yeah there is not much of a transition from episodic to chronic, except more holes in your wall, balding and less social outings!!!Lithium is about the only med. that you can drink on w/0 popping a eye!! I 'm sure that varies,but it worked for me!! Chris
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chris
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