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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Question about low level CH's
        
(Message started by: IndianaJohn on Jul 30^th, 2004, 5:45pm)

Title: Question about low level CH's
Post by IndianaJohn on Jul 30^th, 2004, 5:45pm

Hello everybody,

I had a question about something out of the ordinary that happend to me yesterday. I am currently on 480mg of verapamil, 300mg neurontin at bedtime and have Imitrex nasal sprays for abortive.

Tuesday night I had a solid Kip 9 followed by two K7's one right after the other. My Rx for the imitrex hadn't come in so I just suffered through it. I had taken the Neurontin as directed that evening, along with my 2x daily verapamil.

The next day I had K3's ALL DAY. I could feel them come and go, but there was really no relief between HA's during the day. I could tell that they were CH because the pain areas were typical of all of my other CH attacks. All on the right side, behind the eye, the jaw muscle, the smooth muscles on my forehead, and the back of my head. All the areas where I experience pain from CH. I finally got the Imitrex I needed and they went away. Wednesday really was a trying day.

My question: Has anyone had an episode where you've suffered through one or multiple severe HA's then the next day had low level ones that just wouldn't quit?

I didn't classify them as shadows because my shadows are more like tension headaches and these were much worse.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

John

Title: Re: Question about low level CH's
Post by Superpain on Jul 30^th, 2004, 7:34pm

I've experienced ha's like that for months at a time. But I'm atypical... My last cycle was a little over 2 yrs long, and perhaps 1/3 were headaches like you describe.
More than a shadow, but not a full blown cluster.
Kinda like a raging CH, but there's a layer of insulation between it and my head. It hurts like hell, but you know it could be much worse. Typically I experience those in the first months of my cycle for the most part, then they become increasingly more defined and painful.

Title: Re: Question about low level CH's
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Jul 30^th, 2004, 8:50pm

Shadows by any other name are still shadows.

When I'm at the peak of a cycle - even with high levels of Verapamil - I have a constant (1-2) shadow that ramps up to a 4-5 at my peak biological clock times, then down to a 1-2 again. Of course, when I'm at a cycle peak, I'm also having my worst full-blown CH's (thank you Imitrex!).

So .... maybe, you're at the top of your cycle. If so, each day that follows should get a little bit better and easier. Keep a good thought!

Kris

Title: Re: Question about low level CH's
Post by Redd715 on Jul 30^th, 2004, 8:55pm

That is shadows for me....

The sort of low level attacks that sort of hang there all freaking day.....won't go nowhere....irritate the hell out of you....

My office is an ice box...I wear heavy sweaters to work in 80 degree weather and have a mexican blanket on my desk chair in case I get really cold and have to wrap up and yesterday I sat there with an ice pack held to my head at my desk all day to boot! Yeah I know what you are talking about...intimately!!!

Title: Re: Question about low level CH's
Post by kimh on Jul 30^th, 2004, 9:14pm

yep, have had that happen. Good news is that for me usually indicates the cycle is coming to an end and better days are ahead***

well wishes****

Title: Re: Question about low level CH's
Post by IndianaJohn on Jul 31^st, 2004, 8:08pm

Thanks everybody, maybe, just maybe this cycle is ending. God how I hope so...