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        New Message Board Archives >> 2002 Posts >> New guy from Kansas City and question
        
(Message started by: StanTheMan on Sep 13^th, 2002, 11:13am)

Title: New guy from Kansas City and question
Post by StanTheMan on Sep 13^th, 2002, 11:13am

Hi everyone!
My name's Stan and I'm new here. I started experiencing cluster headaches about 10 years ago at age 32. I have the classic "cycles", if there is such a thing. Typically my clusters run about 2-4 weeks, followed by a remission that lasts 12-18 months.
Ultimately, I can only say it's by the grace of God that I can endure. I'm very blessed to have a very supportive wife and family. The support from my church has also been wonderful

I take low level of Lithium during my cluster period each day. If I have an attack, I'll take 10 mg of Maxalt, which works pretty well for me.

My question: Is it true that for many sufferers that the cluster headaches will disappear completely once you reach your 50's or 60's?

I met a guy several years ago who said he had clusters while in his late 20's and 30's, and then they disappeared completely. (He had them every year until he was in his mid 40's); at that point it had been 5 or 6 years since he had one.)

Anyway, I just wanted to visit and say hi! Don't know how often I'll be able to post, but I'm sure I'll be "lurking" from time to time. God bless you all!

StanTheMan

Title: Re: New guy from Kansas City and question
Post by Drk^Angel on Sep 13^th, 2002, 11:21am

Welcome to the board! Sorry that the beast is roasting your cranium in the pit to a nice golden brown, then chomping down on it with his sharp, jagged teeth. Welcome to the family!

PFDAN.......................... Drk^Angel

Title: Re: New guy from Kansas City and question
Post by Jabeen on Sep 13^th, 2002, 1:25pm

Mine didn't start until I was near 50-from what I've read on this site, there are 50 and 60 year olds still suffering-
Jabeen

Title: Re: New guy from Kansas City and question
Post by TomM on Sep 13^th, 2002, 1:43pm

Stan--your symptoms are simlar to mine. I turn 40 in December and did not start having CH's until I was 33. From what I've read here, this affects all ages although one can hope and pray there is a magic birthdate. I'm not holding my breath, though. Take a moment and read some old posts and testimonies.
Welcome.
--TomM--

Title: Re: New guy from Kansas City and question
Post by Jim R on Sep 13^th, 2002, 3:18pm

Welcome Stan! Sorry you have to be here, but it is a good place with great information and very supportive and knowledgeable people. I'm 47 so haven't reached that Magical Age if there is one - wish I had - my cycle started almost 2 months ago and usually last 6 months... Best wishes and PFDAN's to ya. - Jim R

Title: Re: New guy from Kansas City and question
Post by echo on Sep 13^th, 2002, 3:20pm

Mine have become less frequent, but more severe with age. I'm hopeful that these will leave altogether once I reach 50 - 55.
Welcome to the board.

Title: Re: New guy from Kansas City and question
Post by Slammy on Sep 13^th, 2002, 3:20pm

Oh man.... if only they had an age limit on these CHs...... I started when I was 14 and I am 41....seems forever.

Slammy 8)

Title: Re: New guy from Kansas City and question
Post by oringkid on Sep 13^th, 2002, 3:50pm

Welcome Stan! I started mine at age 11 and am now 41. I too hope there is a magical time limit for these!

Stick around!

Sherry

Title: Re: New guy from Kansas City and question
Post by domm on Sep 13^th, 2002, 4:16pm

Stan - add my welcome to those already sounded. I started at 44 and am now 50. I'd love to think they're going to quit..... anytime now.... :D

anyway - welcome and good luck in finding pain free days.
domm

Title: Re: New guy from Kansas City and question
Post by Charlie on Sep 13^th, 2002, 5:36pm

Welcome aboard Stan

I got mine in 1969 when I was 23. They were episodic and showed up at least twice a year for about 3-4 weeks. Eons ago when I was 45, (just turned 56) they began to dissipate. They have been gone since 1991....11 years. I don't really know why, I don't smoke, and rarely drink. I do take anti-convulsant drugs for epilepsy (Lamictal at the moment) and was taking Dilantin and Phenobarbital when they began to go away.

I should say that they ended during the most stressful time of my life. Makes no sense but I'm not complaining.

Sorry you had reason to find us but we're glad for your company. We can always use some new blood. 8)

PS: Stick around as there is a clusterhead convention in Vancouver, BC this weekend and after everyone sobers up and gets back to their keyboard, you'll get the full treatment :D

Charlie

Title: Re: New guy from Kansas City and question
Post by 2late on Sep 13^th, 2002, 6:31pm

welcome to the board stan, i've been dealing with this for 4 years, now 37, don't think they end just because your a senior although i hope so. penile dysfunction & ch is to much to handle!!! ..............2late

Title: Re: New guy from Kansas City and question
Post by ChristineL on Sep 14^th, 2002, 7:26am

Hi Stan and welcome,

Mine started when I was 26 and I am now 51 and still have them although I did have a 12 year remission.

Chris L

Title: Re: New guy from Kansas City and question
Post by StanTheMan on Sep 16^th, 2002, 7:48am

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome!
I have an appt with the neurologist tomorrow...we'll see what he has to say.
BTW, the info available on this site is EXCELLENT! My wife has been pouring over it, and she too really appreciates it.
The beast came to visit a couple of time over the weekend, but was able to beat it back with some meds and brisk walks.

Take care and thanks again!

StanTheMan :D

Title: Re: New guy from Kansas City and question
Post by johninaz on Sep 16^th, 2002, 8:15am

Hey, Stan,

Glad you found us. I think almost all of us that come to visit here are the ones who are still suffering, so you're not likely to get much response from those whose clusters went away forever. (Thanks for being an exception, Charlie.)

I have heard over and over that clusters "tend" to go away as we get older. I'm pinning my hopes on that. I also heard (not over and over again, but just a couple of times) that 5 years after quitting smoking the clusters would go away. This obviously won't help someone who never smoked, but I did smoke.

I smoked my last cigarette in the fall of 1997, so this fall will be 5 years. My headaches have already gone from chronic to episodic (2-3 yrs ago), and I pray they will go away for good soon.

MayGod bless you (and all of us) with an end to cluster headaches.

John in Arizona

Title: Re: New guy from Kansas City and question
Post by echo on Sep 16^th, 2002, 8:31am

Hopefully your neuro appointment goes well. If not - and you need to search for another I have found a good one who understands Clusters.
He works out of the Regional Hospital on Quivira and I435 and the Olathe Hospital. He's a champ!
Drop me a message if you need the name.