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        New Message Board Archives >> 2003 Posts >> Cycle Duration?
        
(Message started by: runningwildjoe on Sep 4^th, 2003, 12:49pm)

Title: Cycle Duration?
Post by runningwildjoe on Sep 4^th, 2003, 12:49pm

I started my CH cycle back in May after 14 years CH free!
I've read that the average cycle is about 2-3 months.
At 4 months into my cycle, does anyone have some experience on cycle duration? Personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.
I'm taking Maxalt & O2 which is working pretty well although I'm working with my doctor now to increase the dosage. He just set a limit of 15 a month! and I'm very consistently getting 2 CH's a day! One around 1Oam or late afternoon & the other about 12:30am.
Thanks!
Joe

Title: Re: Cycle Duration?
Post by echo on Sep 4^th, 2003, 12:55pm

14 Years? Sorry to read you fell back into the shitstorm. There is really no set timeframes for my cycles. I do get to dance at 2 AM on a regular basis.

Sorry they are back.

Title: Re: Cycle Duration?
Post by maggie_may on Sep 4^th, 2003, 1:14pm

Hi Joe, and welcome!

I've also heard the 2-3 month average for cycles - but these things are anything but average and/or normal. For me, my cycles last from about October to March, making 6 months. Six on, six off, I guess ::)

Every year though since the nice break I had about 4 years ago, my cycle seems to be getting longer - maybe a week or two longer a year. It used to last from the end of November to the beginning of February (2.5 months), but not any more. Lucky me!

I'm taking, or was taking, Imitrex shots until a bad experience and now I'll probably have to go back to the nasal spray. I also take verapamil before bed and use o2 when needed.

hope this helps a little.
wishing pfdans to you,

maggie

Title: Re: Cycle Duration?
Post by JDH on Sep 4^th, 2003, 1:27pm

Joe,
I've had cycles last anywhere from a couple of weeks to six months. For me other than the time of year when they come (fall), my cycles are very unpredictable.
pfdan's to you,

Jim

Title: Re: Cycle Duration?
Post by judyw on Sep 4^th, 2003, 1:41pm

Sorry to hear after such a long break they have returned...just like everything else with CH it is unpredictable in how it manafests to how long it lasts...Have you read up on the use of Verapamil and its success here...might want to do that and discuss it with the doctor...Could take away some of the need for the Maxalt...keep us posted on how you are doing and hopefully when you finish soon...Check out the search button for answers to commonly asked questions... :)
judyw

Title: Re: Cycle Duration?
Post by vig on Sep 4^th, 2003, 1:59pm

The worst part is that the cycle length grew everytime.
I started at about a month, then it was six weeks, then two months. Pretty soon there wasn't much time in between the episodes. :^(.

Title: Re: Cycle Duration?
Post by cathy on Sep 4^th, 2003, 2:11pm

Hi Joe...sorry your still getting hit and after a 14 year break that sux's...Wes's cycles usually last about 12 - 16 weeks...

Sending you PF cycle stop vibes to you from across the pond...

Hi Vig....smile.. ;D

Cathy :)

Title: Re: Cycle Duration?
Post by Cooked Brain on Sep 4^th, 2003, 2:19pm

three or four months

Title: Re: Cycle Duration?
Post by 5-string on Sep 4^th, 2003, 2:26pm

Hey Joe,
This is my 4th year into them and unfortunatly every year the cycle gets longer and more severe for me.
This year they started July 20 and still running..
I don't know how long this one will be.

Also Maxalt did'nt do anything for me.
Take it easy, sorry there back,
Mark.

Title: Re: Cycle Duration?
Post by OneEyeBlind on Sep 4^th, 2003, 2:41pm

My first (and hopefully last) cycle lasted 4 months.

Title: Re: Cycle Duration?
Post by Linda T on Sep 4^th, 2003, 3:17pm

Hi Joe:

I too had a very long break - 11 years. My first cycle in 1984 lasted about 3 months. When the ch came back it was very unpredictable. I had a 4 month cycle, a 2 week cycle and a 5 month cycle.

The only thing predictable about ch is that it is UNPREDICTABLE.

Sorry. Not what you wanted to hear.

Wishing you all PFDAN always, Linda T

Title: Re: Cycle Duration?
Post by stevek on Sep 4^th, 2003, 4:00pm

I have been wandering when this shit might stop myself. I’m working on month 6 right now. This is the longest cycle that I remember. I took off to surf in Mexico for a month hoping a change would stop this cycle – no luck. CHs really suck!

I hope your cycle ends soon.

Stevek

Title: Re: Cycle Duration?
Post by UnsolvedEquation on Sep 7^th, 2003, 2:20pm

A cycle can last anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of decades. ;D
In my 3rd year this cycle :o

Title: Re: Cycle Duration?
Post by Prense on Sep 7^th, 2003, 2:43pm

What's a cycle? ;D

Title: Re: Cycle Duration?
Post by godsjoy on Sep 7^th, 2003, 3:03pm

So sorry they're back for you....after 14 years....This beast is a crazy maker for sure.....The beast started about 12 years ago for me.... about a year after being diagnosed with graves disease ( Barbara and George H. Bush had this disease). Basically my thyroid went berzerk....and the thyroid stimulating hormone started to pump my system through and through with the TSH....(Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)...I had my thyroid killed with Chremo and I have it checked every so often to adjust the amount of synthetic thyroid I take daily.....Don't know if this has anything to do with it....BUT....I had one year of reprieve (last year) and I had my thyroid increased then......Anyway....They are back this summer and hopeing to only have a week or so left.....IF....it is like my past cycles of about 12 weeks....hmmmm......I take Maxalt and oxygen for my nighttime attacks and got on Verapamil just recently.....The CHs seemed to lessen for a week after the verapamil started to take effect.....BUT they are back strong again....My RX was for Verapamil SR, but recently got my RX refilled and I think it is different.....Don't know if that is the problem....or if I might need to take more mgs.....I'm on 240mgs right now.....Well....sorry for rambling.....

This site is the best....people that care and understand and many that have done more homework that most Drs.....

Bless you,
Karen

Title: Re: Cycle Duration?
Post by Prense on Sep 7^th, 2003, 3:12pm

240mg might be low Karen, but it also takes some time before it really starts to work. If it's been a few weeks, and it still isn't working, then I would look into a higher dosage if possible. I am currently on 480mg with no results, but it has only been a week at that level. Of course, if you only have a week left, why bother? I am chronic, so I have ALL the time in the world to try something new...I sometimes forget that doesn't work for others. ;D

Title: Re: Cycle Duration?
Post by runningwildjoe on Sep 8^th, 2003, 9:46am

Thank all for you input! You're right Karen - this is a great site. In the past 4 months I've tapped into lots of facts about CH's and have educated my doctor with med info I've picked up here.
In fact, he just prescribed & I picked up my starter kit for Imitrix injectors. Tried one the other night. The sting surprised me but not painful; the FAST results were awesome. Sometimes my Maxalt takes 15-20 minutes to kick in. This was more like 5 minutes! I did get a bit dizzy & slightly nausious but by God there ain't nothing like relief from the demon!! Don't think I'll be doin' much driving after an injection!
I up'd my Verapacil from 120mg to 360mg four days ago so we'll see if the reduces my twice a day CH's.
I feel sooooooo blessed to have the Kaiser ins to pay for Maxalt, 02, Verapacil, & now Imitrix. I shouldn't get to cocky though, as my "account" may not have been reviewed by the ins wizards yet & they may decide this kid doesn't need all this stuff. I'm only skeptical because I read the sad stories here about insurance hassles.
Well, I've gone on long enough.
Thanks again for everyone's responses!
There definitely IS strength in numbers!!!
Joe