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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> How Long ch last without meds
        
(Message started by: marieinthesprings on Dec 3^rd, 2004, 4:01pm)

Title: How Long ch last without meds
Post by marieinthesprings on Dec 3^rd, 2004, 4:01pm

when this cycle hit me I was so unprepared, coz the beast has been asleep for so long, I was a happy pf person. when the cycle hit the pain was tolerable, I thought, no way they are not starting again, its just a bad headache, but they started to wake me every night like clock work and still i refused to see a doc untill the pain got so bad that i finally admited yes dam it they are back. I am sure I was not at peak cycle when i had this attack but, the one that made me call the doc the next day seem to have lasted all night. Has anyone else been cought with out meds and how long did it last?....thanks.....Marie

Title: Re: How Long ch last without meds
Post by byoung111 on Dec 3^rd, 2004, 4:23pm

Hello Marie. Up until last year I never used any meds. My CH have always lasted 30min to an hour and up to 8 weeks long. When I was on Prednisone the time was still the same, but the cycle lasted an extra month. And my body didn't agree with me while I was on it. However I was PF for almost 2 years after it. I hope you get something to help :)

Brian

Title: Re: How Long ch last without meds
Post by Biker on Dec 3^rd, 2004, 7:21pm

Mine have gone anywhere from 20 minutes to hours. Not sure what the difference is. Without meds, I am pretty much unable to preform any function. With only oxygen, I can breathe the gass, relieve the pain for awhile, get somthing partially accomplished, then have to go back to the oxygen. I have worked at home like this for hours. If you know anyone with an oxygen/accetlyne welding toarch, you may wish to try breathing that oxygen. Thats what got me started, and I keep oxygen pretty handy.

Title: Re: How Long ch last without meds
Post by the_old_man on Dec 3^rd, 2004, 8:39pm

When I could take the meds, the ch would last 30 to 45 minutes. Now that I can't take the meds due to heart problems, the ch lasts from 30 to 45 minutes. The only difference is that without the meds the pain is much more intense. The biggest problem is not getting a full night's sleep. I haven't slept through the night since Nov 3. Three hits a night like clockwork. The really weird thing that happened last night was that while I was doing my usual pacing to get through it, I actually fell asleep on my feet and fell onto the couch. Either I fell asleep or I fainted. It only lasted a few seconds, but it was weird. No nausea or anything. Week 5 and counting.

The Old Man

Title: Re: How Long ch last without meds
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Dec 3^rd, 2004, 8:52pm

My first cycle went undiagnosed - lasted for about 10 weeks - one truly severe head-banger a night at exactly the same time, lasting 1-2 hours.

My next cycle was classic enough that I was diagnosed after only the 2nd week. HA's were lasting about 45 min. to 2 hrs. until I got Imitrex injects and started on high-dose Verapamil.

There's alot of info that leads one to believe that prevents and Trex can lengthen a cycle. The fact is, even if that's true, I wouldn't ever try to go a cycle without. The magic is simply too good.

If it's going to be awhile before you can get O2 or meds, you can try Melatonin before bed. It's helped many, many people here. Sold OTC - I take 9mg a night when in cycle.

Good luck and many hugs,

Kris

Title: Re: How Long ch last without meds
Post by Jonny on Dec 3^rd, 2004, 9:01pm

With no meds.....4-5 HA's in 24 Hrs...1-2 hours each (Everyday)

With meds......4-5 HA's....a month....stop 90% of them in their tracks

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

Title: Re: How Long ch last without meds
Post by MzBlackIce on Dec 4^th, 2004, 3:33am

Hi Marie. I was unprepared this week. CH number one lasted 2 hrs. One day of PF...CH number two lasted 4 hrs and kept me home from work because of lack of sleep. Hope you found something to help you.
Melissa

Title: Re: How Long ch last without meds
Post by cschick on Dec 4^th, 2004, 8:36am

Marie - I think that we are all different but we can tell you our experiences but don't take any of them for gospel. I didn't have any meds last year - started mid-September and went for about 6 weeks. This year I started cycle Oct 1 at 12:45am and haven't stopped yet. I am on Verapamil and o2 to abort. I don't know if the meds have anything to do with it or not but I am over 8 weeks with this cycle and had the Beast switch sides on my yesterday. Always get hit on the right now I'm getting hit on the left. So really what I am saying is the beast is unpredictable and while we can tell you what works for us and give advice - you have to find what works for you. READ, READ, READ and decide what you would like to try and get to a Dr. No need to suffer when there are meds and treatments out there that may work for you!

Best of luck to you and let us know what happens!
Karen

Title: Re: How Long ch last without meds
Post by marieinthesprings on Dec 4^th, 2004, 10:13am

:) thank you all for your support. Its so nice to talk to people that understand....take care everyone