Clusterheadaches.com Message Board (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
New Message Board Archives >> 2003 Posts >> Episodic to Chronic Transition
(Message started by: JoeKen on Jul 30th, 2003, 2:52pm)

Title: Episodic to Chronic Transition
Post by JoeKen on Jul 30th, 2003, 2:52pm
Hi folks,
At the moment I am episodic and between episodes  -  based on my previous episodes, (only two), they start around March and continue for around 3 months, and then go away. When in an episode the only relief that I get are days with shadows, and between episodes I have shadows most days but they are only KIP 1 or 2 and only very ocassionally develop into full blown CH. ( I hope that you are following all this, there will be questions later !!).

Here comes the questions: -
I notice from many postings that it is not unusual to change from Episodic into a Chronic sufferer. Given my symtoms, (shadows most days), do any of you have enough experience, direct or indirect, to venture an opinion as to whether I am likely to go Chronic at some time in the future. Are there any advance warnings that indicate a change is imminent from Episodic to Chronic?
Maybe I should start another thread with this question, and if there is any significant response I may just do that, but: -
I have suffered headaches and migraines for as long as I can remember and it has been my experience that the body builds up it's own resistance to any regular medication over time. I have lost count of the number of headache pills which have given wonderful results to start with but whose effect has slowly faded after taking them regularly for any length of time. Does this happen with Sumatriptan tablets over time?
Thanks for giving these questions some thought.
JoeKen.

Title: Re: Episodic to Chronic Transition
Post by Ted on Jul 30th, 2003, 3:09pm
It is actually rare to go from episodic to chronic, though it does happen. I think the reason it seems not unusual is because when it does happen people post about it, whereas people don't post often saying "I'm still not chronic." You know what I'm saying?
I did read a study a long time ago about certain indicators/indicator that shows some have more of a tendency to turn chronic than others. It was something like age of onset or if someone else in the family has them or something. It wasn't shadows most days in cycle though (I'm pretty sure). That's not much help but if you search for it you will be able to find something,
There's no way to tell if the Imitrex pills will stop working for you until they do stop working for you or you die and they always worked for you.

Title: Re: Episodic to Chronic Transition
Post by fubar on Jul 30th, 2003, 3:25pm
My neuro says (I'm sure he's quoting texts) that only about 10% of episodic turn chronic.  He also says there is no rhyme or reason why, or any indicator for how long a chronic will remain chronic.  In other words... they dunno.  He does say that some chronic people eventually reach an age where the cluster headaches stop completely (50's and up).

So, to answer your question... there's no way to tell so stop worrying already.   ;D

-Fu

Title: Re: Episodic to Chronic Transition
Post by Jabeen on Jul 30th, 2003, 7:00pm
I had my first bout 6 years ago-out of nowhere after 45 years!  They lasted about a year while it took time to find out what I had and try multiple meds.  Then they were gone for 5 years and returned a little over a year ago.  Now they follow no pattern-they come sporadically. Could have 2-3 a week, then nothing for 2 weeks and then they are back???  Problem is that this time they don't seem to be going away like last time...hanging on just enough to torment me.
Just pray they don't go chronic and the percentages are right.   :) :) :)

Title: Re: Episodic to Chronic Transition
Post by Live4Fun on Jul 30th, 2003, 7:02pm

on 07/30/03 at 15:09:00, Ted wrote:
whereas people don't post often saying "I'm still not chronic."


I'm Still Not Chronic!!!

Seriously though, Imitrex injections still work for me, no fading of effectiveness yet. If you start getting shadows constantly out of your normal cycle, then you should maybe start to worry about becoming chronic. Otherwise, you are probably ok.

Just my 1.5 cents.  :D

Brayn

Title: Re: Episodic to Chronic Transition
Post by BarbaraD on Jul 30th, 2003, 7:18pm
Don't remember if there was any warning or not. I was episodic for years and years and then one time the episode just didn't end. That was back in 97 and I've been chronic ever since.

Found Topamax and went into remission and am still holding on, b ut have "breakthru" headaches on occasion. Some go on and on and then I have to go to the cafagot or the DHE-45 to get them stopped.

I don't think there's any rhyme or reason for these things or how they'll react to anything.

My best advice is just take it one day at a time. If you do go chronic you'll know it quick enough. But most people don't. But for goodness sake don't spend your time worrying about it.

Hugs  BD

Title: Re: Episodic to Chronic Transition
Post by jonny on Jul 30th, 2003, 7:24pm
My advice.

Dont worry about it, IF it does happen you will have all the worry in the world then so save it up.

So for now dont sweat it, IF it does happen youll have me to get you through it....Not much but im all you got ;D

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

Title: Re: Episodic to Chronic Transition
Post by Ree on Jul 30th, 2003, 7:53pm
I will pray that it doesnt go from Eposodic to Chronic for you... good luck.........ree

cross your fingers and toes...]

Title: Re: Episodic to Chronic Transition
Post by don on Jul 30th, 2003, 8:42pm
The IHS now defines chronic as being unable to sustainn 30 days without attack, within one year, medicated or unmedicated.

Title: Re: Episodic to Chronic Transition
Post by Marc on Jul 30th, 2003, 9:04pm
Hey Don,

I already knew about the new IHS defimition because I visit the OUCH site  ;)

Amazing what you can learn there............

Marc

Title: Re: Episodic to Chronic Transition
Post by fubar on Jul 30th, 2003, 9:21pm
Heh, and I thought Chronic was that whacky stuff the homies are selling down on the street corner.  Silly me.

-Fu

Title: Re: Episodic to Chronic Transition
Post by don on Jul 30th, 2003, 10:09pm
It is Fubar. Trust me it is.

Title: Re: Episodic to Chronic Transition
Post by kim on Jul 30th, 2003, 10:16pm
Starship Trooper :)  LIve :)

Yes.  Kimis crackers.

Just hear it and then we-ll tawk ;D

Title: Re: Episodic to Chronic Transition
Post by Ted on Jul 30th, 2003, 10:53pm

on 07/30/03 at 19:24:34, jonny wrote:
So for now dont sweat it, IF it does happen youll have me to get you through it....Not much but im all you got ;D

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


That was actually funny as shit!

So was this

Quote:
I'm Still Not Chronic!!!


And this

Quote:
Starship Trooper   LIve  

Title: Re: Episodic to Chronic Transition
Post by JoeKen on Jul 31st, 2003, 3:43am
To Jonny,
I shall sure as hell will know I'm in trouble when I have to turn to YOU for help, but having said that, I do know that you'll be there  -  thanks a lot, and in the nicest possible way, I hope I never contact you again.
A possible mantra for us all might be, "Take one day at a time, and live that day as if it might be your last (pain free) one".
Thanks to all who took the trouble to reply, with the possible exception of kim, whose reference to 'Starship Trooper' I didn't understand  -  may be it's an American thing, or maybe it's just that I'm not an avid watcher of the saga.
Nil illegitimum carborundum  -  (Don't let the bastard grind you down).
JoeKen.
P.S.  I'm still Episodic.



Clusterheadaches.com Message Board » Powered by YaBB 1 Gold - SP 1.3.1!
YaBB © 2000-2003. All Rights Reserved.