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        New Message Board Archives >> 2003 Posts >> Question for the episodic cluster heads
        
(Message started by: DaveHar on Jun 27^th, 2003, 7:19am)

Title: Question for the episodic cluster heads
Post by DaveHar on Jun 27^th, 2003, 7:19am

I already know that when in cycle sleep patterns are messed up because you are kicked out of the bed by the beast.

My question is this:

When you are not getting hit are your sleep patterns still messed up or do you find that you get a good nights sleep? Also while in cycle do you find that you are very much on edge? Do little things set you off very easy?

These questions are pertaining to while in cycle but not being hit. Please any information would be a help to me. I am trying to understand what is going on with me. I am trying to understand if the beast is causing me to be an ass as well as not sleep or if it is something else.

thanks

Dave

Title: Re: Question for the episodic cluster heads
Post by kissmyglass on Jun 27^th, 2003, 7:35am

I'm chronic but yes, I'm very much on edge & little things set me off. I was never like that until the Ch's came...I need to find some valiums quick....

Next person who cuts me off & then drives 10 MPH has a good chance of being beaten to death....

Kev

Title: Re: Question for the episodic cluster heads
Post by catlind on Jun 27^th, 2003, 7:37am

Total and complete personality overhaul happens here when I'm in cycle.

Little things will set me off very easily. I'm a miserable person to live with during a cycle, and I give great kudos to all supporters who have to deal with us. The fear of the next hit is always a powerful thing and it keeps me on edge.

Cat

Title: my story
Post by rumplestiltskin on Jun 27^th, 2003, 8:13am

Quote:

When you are not getting hit are your sleep patterns still messed up or do you find that you get a good nights sleep?

....but then you say
Quote:

These questions are pertaining to while in cycle but not being hit.

...uh when In cycle I'm gettin hit 1 to 3 times daily. So i'm not sure about the "while in cycle but not being hit" part of the question...I've always been a nightowl who pushed the envelope of sleep. Sleep seems like a waste of time. Sooo when "in cycle" I get even less due to wakeup calls. Then if I fall prey to the much needed "nap"....bam...I usually pay dearly for it.

Attitude: I have been on Verapamil steady for over 2 years...if I have "cycles" I don't know it. What I do get are very infrequent "breakthroughs" that either just go away, or are easily killed at a low level of pain by O2 and/or Midrin and/or Zomig. I've stayed at a fairly constant level of bliss.

Here's the rub...I started the Vera miracle a few months prior to getting sober. Sooo my previous "cycles" occured while I was a drunk....Sooo my "attitude" was greatly skewed by my drunkeness and therefore would not be of much help in yer study.

My severe attitude problem and sleep disorders known here at CH.com as Den's period of "heebeejeebees" was actually the final throws of an anxiety disorder caused by alcoholism. Sobriety cured all that.

Walkin in the sunshine of the spirit
den

Title: Re: Question for the episodic cluster heads
Post by Bob P on Jun 27^th, 2003, 8:26am

When in cycle, I wake up 1 1/2 hours after going to bed with a HA. When not in cycle, I still wake up 1 1/2 hours after going to bed. I look at the clock, roll over and go back to sleep. I never sleep well. I beleive it's caused by our constant flat line melatonin levels.

Title: Re: Question for the episodic cluster heads
Post by DouglasL on Jun 27^th, 2003, 11:30am

I have always been known to be on the short-tempered side.
While in cycle that really goes over the edge sometimes. Usually if i've lost too much sleep or if i’ve had too many hits too often and my head is sore. I will tell you this. Lithium has really helped me with the mood swings.
I have in the last 2 years made myself go to bed and get up close to the same time every night and day (even weekends). I do really feel that keeping the same bedtimes is very important. I don’t ever have problems sleeping. While in cycle i'm so tired I pass out and out of cycle if I make it to 11pm i’m doing good.

In the last two years I’ve stayed on verap 240mg 3 x’s a day and Lithium 300mg 2 x’s a day. This is the first time I have not stopped taking my meds when I have not had a headache in over a month.

My personal feelings as to why I’ve stayed more or less pain free so long is keeping regular sleeping patterns, staying on my meds, and ceasing almost all recreational drugs.

DougL

Title: Re: Question for the episodic cluster heads
Post by don on Jun 27^th, 2003, 11:33am

Quote:

Also while in cycle do you find that you are very much on edge? Do little things set you off very easy?

The last 5 guys I ran into the guardrail because I didn't like their haircut might be able to answer that question better than me.

When out of cycle I can sleep in a burning room without waking up. Cept to maybe light a butt.

Title: Re: Question for the episodic cluster heads
Post by Jackie on Jun 27^th, 2003, 11:45am

Dave,
You asked for a reply from episodic sufferers.....but I'm gonna answer for my chronic hubby anyway.... ;D

He sleeps like a brick when not getting hit. I suspect that he suffers from sleep apnea...but that's another story.

As to the short temper....yes.... and it gets worse the harder he's getting hit. I believe a lot of that has to do with the depression that sets in. Depression and short tempers seen to go together.

Jacks 8)

Title: Re: Question for the episodic cluster heads
Post by Drk^Angel on Jun 27^th, 2003, 12:46pm

My wife calls me a bitch with PMS when I'm in cycle... Can't understand why...

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

Title: Re: Question for the episodic cluster heads
Post by NotH20 on Jun 27^th, 2003, 1:17pm

Dave - a fellow episodic here...

While in cycle my "edge" is sooooo sharp I can cut a concrete brick just with a glare from my eyes ;) I'm very much on edge and the members in our household are not happy campers. For me personally, it's a toss-up as to whether is from the various meds, the lack of sleep or the Beast wearing me down constantly. I'm a totally different person when out of cycle.

While out of cycle, I don't really get a good nights sleep but then again I've never been one to get 8 hours straight. I wake up constantly during the night - most of the time look at the clock and roll over back to sleep. I would have to agree with DougL regarding the consistent sleep patterns. Although very hard no matter how much you try - getting the "regular" amount of sleep each night allows you body some normalcy which it's not used to when in cycle.

Just my 2 cents worth....

Heck - it looks like I've answered these questions all wrong - take #2:

First part is okay - but for the second part I'd have to say that the Beast hits me all hours of the day and night - when in peak cycle I can get hit about 3 times per night so I'm not sure I'm a good candidate to answer that question.

Good luck to you Dave - if you are in cycle I would attribute your edginess to the ch's...if this continues when out of cycle I would see some information from the medical field.

Mia

Title: Re: Question for the episodic cluster heads
Post by suzy617 on Jun 27^th, 2003, 5:12pm

Yes my temper is short while in cycle but I think thats due to the interupted sleep each night when getting hit. Otherwise I am a great sleeper cept maybe to get up to pee.

Hope your feeling better soon,
suzy

Title: Re: Question for the episodic cluster heads
Post by BobG on Jun 27^th, 2003, 7:15pm

When you are not getting hit are your sleep patterns still messed up or do you find that you get a good nights sleep?

My sleep habits are less than perfect. Has nothing to do with getting hit though. It's the changing work shift each week.

Also while in cycle do you find that you are very much on edge?

No.

Do little things set you off very easy?

No. Only a..holes with cell phones do that. And ALL people that use cell phones in public are a..holes.

Title: Re: Question for the episodic cluster heads
Post by jonny on Jun 27^th, 2003, 7:44pm

Even chronic......Like Bob P I get up every night at the time I should be hit even if m not getting hit.

Its got to be so many years of being wacked at that time , maybe a defensive mode....I dont know.

One thing I can tell you is that it is a real MF when you have to get up at 3 am to open your shop.

Sleep?.....look at me bags

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

Title: Re: Question for the episodic cluster heads
Post by kim on Jun 27^th, 2003, 9:08pm

Maybe it's me...........nite after nite of agonizing waltzing tends to get me a bit testy. Normally, I am just a regula butthead.....after I have felt better for a while, I am back to my butthead self :)

Thing is, it's easier to be alone with clusters while yur buttheadedness is at it's all time high. Then, when you are feeling bettr, you can irritate folks jus like ole times and they know it's just you and not some weirdo. ;D whose taken over your body walking around imitating human butthead behavior 8)

PS: Now that I have some control over the clusters, I'm happy to report that I only drink Pine Sol by accident ::)

Title: Re: Question for the episodic cluster heads
Post by DaveHar on Jun 27^th, 2003, 9:46pm

To everyone I want to say thank you. I am in cycle and sleep is very on/off with me right now. When out of cycle my sleep patterens are so, so normal. 7 to 8 hours if I am lucky with the little one.

This cycle has been very weird. There has been no pattern except that I get hit with a kip 4 or 5 two to three times a day and nailed to the wall 2 or three times a week. The migraine cycle has gone back to full swing where I am hit 5 or 6 times a day on top of the CH. So right now I have had a very hard time not snapping at everyone that I talk to.

Thanks again to all who have answered.

Dave

Title: Re: Question for the episodic cluster heads
Post by paul_b on Jun 27^th, 2003, 9:54pm

Yup, on edge is the name of the game. Sometimes the anxiety is as big an issue to deal with as attending to the pain and being armed with meds and O2.

Title: Re: Question for the episodic cluster heads
Post by taraann on Jun 28^th, 2003, 2:21am

I've never been a good sleeper even before the ch's, ...so sleep pattern whats a sleep pattern...? ;D ;)And as for being on edge during cycle oh yes definately I'm on edge and the longer into a cycle I get the more attitudey and "sensitive" I get.

Title: Re: Question for the episodic cluster heads
Post by ave on Jun 28^th, 2003, 5:01am

Like BobP, I wake 1-2 hrs after going to sleep, attacks or no attacks. I wake several times during the night as well.

From a child I have had trouble sleeping - sleeping long hours, that is.

I have now accepted that I sleep less than other folks, and I have no sleeping problems any more. At least, I don't experience it as a problem...

Title: Re: Question for the episodic cluster heads
Post by eyes_afire on Jun 28^th, 2003, 12:28pm

Whether in cycle or not, my sleep is wacked. I have no problems falling asleep. But I dream like crazy. Fall asleep, dream, wakeup, fall asleep, dream, wakeup, fall asleep, dream, wakeup.... over and over sometimes. Of course, in cycle things are worse because it's more like: fall asleep, dream, wakeup, take oxygen, etc. If I'm having a bad night sometimes I just give up after 6 hours of that rollercoaster, then feel like taking a nap later in the day at 10am... sometimes it's very hard to resist ::). Then there are days like today: wake up at 6:30am, fall back asleep and don't wake up until 10:30am :o. 9 hours sleep is too much and now I'm late with everything >:(.

--- Steve, one of many...