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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 General Board Posts >> Decrease in Clusters over the Years
        
(Message started by: LV on Oct 10^th, 2005, 5:10pm)

Title: Decrease in Clusters over the Years
Post by LV on Oct 10^th, 2005, 5:10pm

Hi
I am a new member

I started get CH when I was 20

Since I was 37, the episodes have decreased, getting them once every 2 years now

Currently in cluster right now but am concerned that they have come back full time

Anyone else had the experience where the episodes get less as you get older?

Many thanks
LV

Title: Re: Decrease in Clusters over the Years
Post by nani on Oct 10^th, 2005, 5:18pm

Not yet. :(
Welcome LV. Actually we do have a few sufferers who've experienced this. Make your self at home and start reading.
pain free wishes, nani

Title: Re: Decrease in Clusters over the Years
Post by LV on Oct 10^th, 2005, 5:31pm

Thanks Nani

Title: Re: Decrease in Clusters over the Years
Post by Jonny on Oct 10^th, 2005, 5:42pm

Time I think is doing me right, only took 30 years chronic to get here. ;;D

Title: Re: Decrease in Clusters over the Years
Post by AussieBrian on Oct 10^th, 2005, 5:52pm

G'day, LV, and welcome aboard. The old information about CH certainly suggested they abate with age so we're probably the only group of people world-wide who actually look forward to getting old.

I know mine are a lot easier nowadays but that equally could be because I gave away all medications ten years ago. Probably more a matter of rolling with the punches and coping as best we can.

Either way, good luck and stay in touch.

Cheers and beers,

Brian up north.

Title: Re: Decrease in Clusters over the Years
Post by Barry_T_Coles on Oct 10^th, 2005, 5:59pm

Hi LV

Welcome & sorry you have to be here but your in the right place, what you cant learn here you dont need to know.

There's an absolute wealth of info available here.

As far as them decreasing as you get older I dont know myself but at 56 I am going to have to be bloody ancient before it tells on me.

Keep posted look around and welcome to the best nut house available.

Kind Regards
Barry in the North West

Title: Re: Decrease in Clusters over the Years
Post by pattik on Oct 10^th, 2005, 7:04pm

Hi LV, I have been episodic for 25 years--experiencing episodes once a year. But over the last six years, I have gone two years between. I don't know if this has anything to do with aging. It could also be due to the fact that I stopped using Imitrex and only use O2 and magnesium supplementation. Who knows? Anyway, welcome to the board, and hopefully, we can look forward to more and more time between episodes. :)

Patti

Title: Re: Decrease in Clusters over the Years
Post by Charlie on Oct 10^th, 2005, 8:24pm

Welcome aboard and your post reminds me that although unproven, there may be an age factor for some of us.

My episodic began in 1969 when I was 23 and disappeared in 1991 when I was 45. It's going on 14 years pain free so far. No complaints here and I'm hoping you are on the same track.

Here is my technique that worked for me most of the time:

Dr. Wright’s Circulatory Technique:

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.

Charlie

Title: Re: Decrease in Clusters over the Years
Post by Mr. Happy on Oct 10^th, 2005, 11:01pm

on 10/10/05 at 17:10:41, LV wrote:

Anyone else had the experience where the episodes get less as you get older?

Didn't start till I was in my 40's, so I don't know about this "Older" crap. Bob J still gets them, and then there's Squanto, who sez he's 70. Chaz doesn't get `em anymore, but he's real old too.

I wouldn't heap my offerings in the Agéd Basket of Salvation just yet. Best to plan on hunkering down for the duration, and taking the point spread.

Anything else is a plus.
RJ

Title: Re: Decrease in Clusters over the Years
Post by Jasmyn on Oct 11^th, 2005, 2:31am

Hi LV.

I for one hope its true.

Title: Re: Decrease in Clusters over the Years
Post by Langa on Oct 11^th, 2005, 8:06am

Hi LV and Welcome to the Family!

Had CH since I was 10, am 36 yo now - Can't say my clusters have decreased, but i'm still young...I can still dream right? ;)

Langa

Title: Re: Decrease in Clusters over the Years
Post by Bob P on Oct 11^th, 2005, 8:41am

Yes. My story sounds the same as yours.

Clusters started at 20 y/o. Have a cycle every 8-9 months, 4-6 weeks long.

At age 40 the remission period jumped to 2 years.

Since then, I'm almost 55 y/o now, every remission has gotten about 3 months longer. Last remission was 3 years 3 months long, BUT, the downside is that the cycles have gotten longer too. Last cycle lasted 21 weeks.

Title: Re: Decrease in Clusters over the Years
Post by Jeepgun on Oct 11^th, 2005, 9:31am

Hello, LV. I hope the beast completely loses your address. Welcome to the board. Good luck and hang tough.

-Frank