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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 General Board Posts >> 4 weeks into a cycle, help..
        
(Message started by: Conrad on May 8^th, 2005, 3:24am)

Title: 4 weeks into a cycle, help..
Post by Conrad on May 8^th, 2005, 3:24am

Hello friends. Conrad here. In the middle of a cycle, about the 4th week. Normally shut down for me at 6 weeks in the past. ANyone else compare? Anyone know of any indicators of when their cycles are coming to a stop? If so let me know! I'm ready! I'm tapering off of prednisone right now and taking 240mg of verapamil a day. Also use Oxygen, works well... and Zomig ZMT if O2 does not kick it. Just ready to get rid of these, screws with my sleep at night so bad. Everyone take care and you are in my prayers. [smiley=laugh.gif]

Title: Re: 4 weeks into a cycle, help..
Post by Carl_D on May 8^th, 2005, 4:27am

Before I became chronic, my 'episodes' were pretty unpredictable. I never knew if they would last 6 weeks or 6 months. I do know that when I'd start going out of cycle, the hits were harder and more frequent. Then I would shadow hard for a few days, and it would be gone.

Peace,
Carl D

Title: Re: 4 weeks into a cycle, help..
Post by BobG on May 8^th, 2005, 5:29am

Hello Conrad. Your cycle sounds much like a lot of clusterheads' episodic cycle. I hope it ends "normal" for you in 2 weeks.
My clusters were usually 6 to 8 weeks. They ended much like Carl's, the last few days were real bad both in kip scale and frequency. Then they would go away.
Have you tried melatonin before bed? Or Benedryl. They help to keep you out of the REM sleep mode where the devil lives.

Title: Re: 4 weeks into a cycle, help..
Post by sandie99 on May 8^th, 2005, 6:20am

Conrad,
I keep my thumbs up that your cycle ends.... :)

PF wishes,
Sandie

Title: Re: 4 weeks into a cycle, help..
Post by Langa on May 8^th, 2005, 9:29am

Quote:

Anyone know of any indicators of when their cycles are coming to a stop?

When I was episodic, a sure way I knew my cycle was ending was that the clusters "acted" like they did when the cycle first started...low level headaches that eased within 20 minutes and then I would skip a day or two without one until they went away all together.

Here's hoping your cycle is ending Conrad. ;)

Langa

Title: Re: 4 weeks into a cycle, help..
Post by Charlie on May 8^th, 2005, 12:46pm

Welcome aboard and I'm sorry you have to deal with this horror. Stick around and you'll find some good ideas for dealing with it, here and on the other boards.

When I had my cycles and when the cycle was ending, I used to get one less every few days and then they would disappear shortly, until the next wall banging cycle.

I post the following technique here frequently and it worked for me:

Dr. Wright’s Circulatory Technique:

What follows is a technique learned from a neurologist:
I am not sure what mechanism is triggered by this but whatever it is, at least indirectly helps kill the pain. I do know that this technique has nothing to do with meditation, relaxation, or psychic ability. It is entirely physical and takes some work. It involves concentrating on trying to redirect a little circulation to the arms, hands, or legs. It can described as a conscious circulatory flexing. Increased circulation will result in a reddening and warming of the hands. Try to think of it as filling your hands with redirected blood. The important and difficult part is that it has to be done without interruption through the pain. Do not give up in frustration. It may not work on the first try. Every now and then it will work almost immediately. I lived for those moments. Try experimenting between attacks. You will find that it gets easier with practice.

I was given less than five minutes instruction in the use of method. The doctor, while placing his arm on his desk, showed me that he could slightly increase his arm and hand circulation. After several attempts, I was able to repeat this procedure and use it successfully. I have had about a 75% success rate shortening these attacks. My 20 minute attacks were often reduced to 10 minutes or less. Once proven that I had a chance to effectively deal with this horror, I always gave it a try as I had nothing to lose but pain.

Perhaps it will help if you think of it as trying to fill the arm as if it is were an empty vessel. I used to try to imagine I was pushing blood away from my head into my arm. Use your imagination. There is one man who wrote that his standing barefoot on a concrete floor shortened his attacks. This may be similar as it draws some circulation away from the head. Cold water, exercise, or anything affecting circulation, seems to be worth a try. My suggestion is to not let up immediately when the pain goes. Waiting a minute is probably a good idea. So long as you do not slack off, this has a chance of working.

This technique is very useful while waiting for medication to take effect or when none is available. It costs nothing, is non-invasive, and can be used just about anywhere. It is not a miracle but it helped me deal with this horror. It can be a bit exhausting but the success rate was good enough for me and a cluster headache sufferer will do just about anything to end the pain. It gives us a fighting chance.

I hope this technique is helpful and I wish you the best of luck

Charlie

Title: Re: 4 weeks into a cycle, help..
Post by Kirk on May 8^th, 2005, 12:47pm

The 30 years I was Episodic. They would be K-9 or 10 and 6 -8 a day then nothing. Like someone cut the string. I'd spend a week or two waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Hopefully this means the end of your cycle coming on.

Good luck [smiley=sayyes.gif]