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        New Message Board Archives >> 2002 Posts >> New to Board - but not to site.
        
(Message started by: JanB on Nov 6^th, 2002, 4:07pm)

Title: New to Board - but not to site.
Post by JanB on Nov 6^th, 2002, 4:07pm

Hi,

I'm Jan. I've had CH since I was 12 (I'm 46 now) and this site has been a wonderful source of information and hope for me.

When I first came here I was amazed at what I read. I thought my brother and I were the only ones who had these. I've really learned a lot from reading here.

My cycles have gone from about 6-9 months apart when I was younger to about 2 years between bouts now. The actual headache period seems to last longer now though.

My last cycle started this May and was pretty mild up until August then they hit pretty hard. My Insurance company decided to limit my Imitrex injections this time so I cut down to 1/3 of an injection per CH and it worked well. I was getting hit about or 7 times a day this time. Between the Oxygen and the Imitrex I think I've almost made it through another cycle.

My question is.........has anyone on the board here ever grown out of this or known anyone that has? I was kind of hoping someone had. I can't imagine what it will be like to have these when I'm in my 80's. I started getting mine pretty young. Wasn't diagnosed properly until my late 20's and my doctor is very good. I've tried lots of meds and haven't had much success with preventatives. The Imitrex for me has been a Godsend. I've been using it since about 1995 and it has always stopped the CH within about 10 - 15 minutes. Just wish the INS. companies would understand the difference between clusters and migraines. Maybe then it would be easier to get the medication you need.

My husband has been great. (I was having a CH when I met him!) It's been 28 years and he's still hanging in there. So far none of my four kids have shown any sign of these.

Enough of my rambling, just wanted to Thank everyone for the great info.

Jan :)

Title: Re: New to Board - but not to site.
Post by echo on Nov 6^th, 2002, 4:20pm

Wheather they go away with added years has been battered around in the past. There are several that have had elongated remissions which leaves all of the rest of us hope for a light at the end of the tunnel. For me my cycle seem to get shorter with age, and more severe.
Welcome aboard

Title: Re: New to Board - but not to site.
Post by sueellen83 on Nov 6^th, 2002, 8:15pm

I was 7 when mine started and like Echo, my cycles have gotten closer together and lasted longer as I've gotten older.

Until this cycle I haven't been able to find anything that helped. Verapamil has worked wonders for me (just hope it keeps working).

Welcome and hope you PFNAD!!!!

Title: Re: New to Board - but not to site.
Post by kim on Nov 6^th, 2002, 8:42pm

Hey JanB,

I'm 41 now and have had ch since approx age 13. When I was a kid i did not keep track or try to find ryme or reason. Like any kid, when pain left, i skipped to me loo and fogot all about it.....
as you grow older and mature, your responses to clusters will fluctuate. I've gone runnin to the doc and begged for easy answer, i've cussed the docs, life and everything else and gone through cycles in that mind set, i've matured and tried to find an ANSWER! That said, it's impossible to predict what will happen to YOU personally over time................But you found a good place to Begin.............

Well wishes, Kim

Title: Re: New to Board - but not to site.
Post by Drk^Angel on Nov 7^th, 2002, 2:14pm

Welcome to the board! Sorry that the beast keeps lobbin' giant, steamin' meteorites into your cranium. Good luck!

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

Title: Re: New to Board - but not to site.
Post by BobG on Nov 7^th, 2002, 2:58pm

I'm 55 now and haven't had a cycle for about 4 years now. Maybe I've outgrown them, maybe not.

I've calculated that my 401k and pension will be at zero dollars on December 20, 2034 so I'll be checking out of this world on the 21st.

But I'll let you know if I've outgrown them before I leave.

Just kidding JanB. I ain't going anywhere til I'm over a hundred.

I don't know if anyone really knows if we outgrow clusters. There's people here older than me that still get them :'(

Title: Re: New to Board - but not to site.
Post by Linda T on Nov 7^th, 2002, 3:01pm

Hi Jan, you've come to the right place. You'll get lots of info and support here if you stick around.

As to how long these suckers will last? I have no idea. I'm 43 now and my ch attacks began when I was 25. I can't imagine either how I will take this at the ripe age of 80! Any octogenarians out there want to respond?

Wishing you the best of luck and PFDAN to all, Linda T

Title: Re: New to Board - but not to site.
Post by Jabeen on Nov 7^th, 2002, 3:28pm

Hi! Wanted to say welcome-but I don't know the answer to your question. I would also be interested in knowing who the oldest person here is that is still suffering. I am 51-had my first bout at 45 and then had 5 years with no HAs and then they showed up again??
Many of these folks have had HAs since they were teens or children...why mine showed up at 45 will always be a mystery. :) :) :)

Title: Re: New to Board - but not to site.
Post by Bill_C on Nov 7^th, 2002, 3:53pm

Yes, mine seem to be dwindling. They started thirty five years ago, so I've had them a while. In the last five, six years they have tapered off. My neuro doesn't encourage me in this, saying that CHs don't necessarily
go away with age. But mine seem to be, but then, I am no longer a spring chickee.
Hang in there.

Title: Re: New to Board - but not to site.
Post by 2late on Nov 7^th, 2002, 6:10pm

welcome to the board Jan, glad you found us. .........2late