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        New Message Board Archives >> 2003 Posts >> How Do You Become Chronic?
        
(Message started by: Cluster_Head101 on Apr 7^th, 2003, 6:43pm)

Title: How Do You Become Chronic?
Post by Cluster_Head101 on Apr 7^th, 2003, 6:43pm

I have only been on this board a few days and noticed many of you are chronic cluster sufferers.

I still only get them once a year in a 4-8 week cycle which I am currently in.

How do people become chronic and is there a chance I ever become a chronic sufferer?

I cannot imagine having a cluster every single day of the year......

Title: Re: How Do You Become Chronic?
Post by 2late on Apr 7^th, 2003, 6:50pm

the answer is you might, hate to tell you that but it's true, i went from chronic to episodic so you never know. good luck to ya! ..........Jack

Title: Re: How Do You Become Chronic?
Post by jonny on Apr 7^th, 2003, 6:54pm

Ive been chronic since day one, that was 27-28 yrs ago.....I can only hope to go episodic......LOL

If you go chronic you will adjust and deal. Hard to believe but you will.

...................................jonny

Title: Re: How Do You Become Chronic?
Post by don on Apr 7^th, 2003, 6:56pm

Quote:

How Do You Become Chronic?

Why? You setting goals? I'd get a new one if I were you. LOL

Seriously it's like being an alcoholic. You only know you are one when you become one. Then all you can do is treat it. I dont there is any prevention methods for avoiding becoming chronic.

Title: Re: How Do You Become Chronic?
Post by fubar on Apr 7^th, 2003, 7:31pm

Wouldn't that be nice to know... then we could maybe do something to avoid going chronic.

You cannot imagine it because it is unimaginable. No attempt to convey the experience to a non-sufferer has been successful. The torent of emotion and despair, the resolve to survive, the helpless feeling from the never-ending onslaught of terror... it's all too much to describe with any justice to the condition.

When I was episodic, I knew there was going to be an end, every time. Now, that comfort is gone. Even if this ends, I'm feeling like I'll have PTSD as a result. I've already watched myself degrade into a raving lunatic a few times on this board, and that is pure CH talking.

Crap, someday I'll be like Jonny. :o (God willing bro!)

Title: Re: How Do You Become Chronic?
Post by don on Apr 7^th, 2003, 7:44pm

Quote:

watched myself degrade into a raving lunatic a few times

A FEW times? ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: How Do You Become Chronic?
Post by Karla on Apr 7^th, 2003, 11:26pm

I was born chronic at age 31. I would give anything to be eposodic but it just isn't in the stars for me. You learn to deal with it you have no choice.

Title: Re: How Do You Become Chronic?
Post by catlind on Apr 8^th, 2003, 6:24am

Karla, you use a very interesting term.

Born chronic. You and Jonny, among others have that unique and unwanted experience. I can't relate fully, but I can relate to the term you use.

Saying you are born to this is an apt description. It's a slow, distinct, deliberate, unpredictable process that is very frustrating and full of hard work to get to the diagnosis and understanding of CH. It's a very painful process. Too bad the end doesn't produce something wonderful and awe inspiring :'(

Cat

Title: Re: How Do You Become Chronic?
Post by das on Apr 8^th, 2003, 7:23am

I started out episodic, went chronic for 2-3 years and then back to episodic. To Karla and Johnny I ask, have you tried shrooms? Just curious? When I was chronic, I started taking verapamil and valproic acid which was successful in getting me back to episodic.. at least I think it did. Then when I got hit with my next cycle, which coincidentally was the harshest I have experienced so far, I tried oxygen and shrooms and had a great deal of success. My last cycle was the mildest I've experienced... at least that I can remember.

I am also a newly convereted believer in the power of mind over matter. I also believe that a positive mental outlook will help you and others around you deal a lot better with your CHs. Remember, you don't deserve this, you can handle the pain and you will survive. Positivity my friends. I send it out to all of you.

Title: Re: How Do You Become Chronic?
Post by Linda_Howell on Apr 8^th, 2003, 1:12pm

"How do you become chronic?"

After 8 months and it doesn't go away like it always did before, you start to wonder. Then a yr. passes and YOU KNOW ! This M-F loves me, for some reason and will continue to stalk me like an old boyfriend gone crazy........

And after a while longer....you accept it, you deal with it. Ten years later, I'm still dealing.

Linda H

Title: Re: How Do You Become Chronic?
Post by BruceD on Apr 8^th, 2003, 1:25pm

Whew! I really hesitated opening this thread because I was expecting a 5 step program to become chronic. Sure didn't want to something that told me I was already 4 steps into it and no way out. :o

I feel for all you guys who are chronic. My last episode lasted 5 months and by that time I was getting the "down-in-the-dumps" feeling like it would never end. I guess like Linda said, after a year or so, you just learn to live in spite of it.

Take care
BruceD

Title: Re: How Do You Become Chronic?
Post by brain_cramps on Apr 8^th, 2003, 1:29pm

on 04/07/03 at 19:31:33, fubar wrote:

Crap, someday I'll be like Jonny. :o (God willing bro!)

ROTF LMAO!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

sorry jonny ;)

Title: Re: How Do You Become Chronic?
Post by jonny on Apr 8^th, 2003, 2:37pm

on 04/08/03 at 07:23:38, das wrote:

To Karla and Johnny I ask, have you tried shrooms?

No, and theres two reasons for that.

1) I have my HA's under control to the point that I only deal with maybe 10% of what I dealt with when I had no meds.

2) Due to a huge drug problem in the 70's and 80's I dont need the temptation of getting high on anything (but beer), I will not allow anyone around me to do drugs (Lost tons of friends...LOL) and I will not take any prescription drugs that will get me high.

Thank god for beer....LOL ;D ;D ;D

.............................jonny :D

Title: Re: How Do You Become Chronic?
Post by brain_cramps on Apr 8^th, 2003, 2:45pm

GREAT POST, jonny

(I have nothing against shrooms, but I can relate with your history!)

basking in the 'after-glow' of the younger years,
grant 8)

Title: Re: How Do You Become Chronic?
Post by don on Apr 8^th, 2003, 3:17pm

Shrooms? Who needs shrooms?

I've already lost all sense of reality.

Wheres my play dough?

I believe the instructions for becoming chronic are over on ww.mustardgasmenow.com