Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Shadows
        
(Message started by: Ann9900 on Jan 14^th, 2005, 7:24pm)

Title: Shadows
Post by Ann9900 on Jan 14^th, 2005, 7:24pm

I'm trying to get a better understanding of shadows and what they feel like. Is it pain that is mild (like 1-4 or so)? It is GLARINGLY obvious to me when I have an 8 or a 10. A 6 is fairly obvious. (I'm indecisive and speak in even numbers because 1 through 10 gives me too many choices. I've rated my migraines, and now clusters, on a scale of 1-5 for several years now.)

I'm not sure if the "lingering" pain I have after an 8 or 10 is a shadow or not. Or if they are the twinges of pain during the day that often only last for a couple of seconds. Or if the fact that lightly touching the base of my head and having slight pain (just on my HA side) is a shadow.

Can anyone help? What are your shadows like? I'm guessing that when I have this figured out, I can more accurately track what is going on and have a better of understanding of the length of my cycles.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Title: Re: Shadows
Post by nani on Jan 14^th, 2005, 7:28pm

For my own definition...I call anything under a k4 a shadow. Sometimes it's a mild, constant pain...sometimes more of a throbbing pain. They also last longer ( 1- 2 hours) than my regular, higher hits (40 minutes) That's just how I describe them.

Title: Re: Shadows
Post by Sean_C on Jan 14^th, 2005, 8:15pm

Shadows to me is the feeling somone is pushing with there finger on the back of my eye for hours on end. Sometimes watering eye, slight blocked nasal cavity, some sensitivity to light.

Sean...........................

Title: Re: Shadows
Post by Langa on Jan 14^th, 2005, 8:19pm

A shadow to me is a low level cluster that lasts for hours. :-/

Langa

Title: Re: Shadows
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Jan 14^th, 2005, 8:36pm

For me, a shadow is that lingering, annoying discomfort in my temple/eye that never is a true CHA, but reminds me the beast is still around. When at the peak of a cycle, I have a constant 24/7 shadow-type pain (kip1-3). It starts to ramp up a little at certain times of the day, when I can sometimes kick its ass with an espresso. But when in cycle, I can count on the kip 8-10 every night at the same time until my prevents start to work.

Even then, I know my cycle isn't over until those annoying shadow pains are gone.

In many ways, a shadow is like a CH hangover that just stays around. In fact, my temple actually is sore to the touch all the time when I'm at my peak.

Kris

Title: Re: Shadows
Post by don on Jan 14^th, 2005, 10:29pm

Quote:

Shadows are sort of "phantom" headaches we get, usually as a warning that an attack is on it's way.

Title: Re: Shadows
Post by painkiller on Jan 14^th, 2005, 10:46pm

I define "shadow" as the point where it feels like an attack is starting but never fully develops... i get my CHA's during REM sleep mostly and sometimes the "shadows" wake me before the headache gets bad... i'd rate the pain at around 2-4

Title: Re: Shadows
Post by Mr. Happy on Jan 15^th, 2005, 12:11am

If it even _remotely_ reminds me of CH, then it's a shadow. Don't have a rating system for the damned things. However they're rated, it's a reminder to keep a pocket Triptan nearby.

You go to your church.........
RJ

Title: Re: Shadows
Post by CC2004 on Jan 15^th, 2005, 12:41am

on 01/14/05 at 19:24:45, Ann9900 wrote:

hi Ann - I rate 1-5 also. Shadows for me are usually less than 1, usually I know its not actually a hit starting. Also yes, I would also describe the lingering pain after a hit as shadowing. I just stopped shadowing a week ago, my last hit being new years eve (and no, it wasnt alcohol!). I kicked my cycle in the butt with water water water and only got night hits 5 times after I began WWW, but I had shadowing and opposite side "phantom" pains at least half the time each day every day. Some of the phantoms on the wrong side were 3-4s (pretty high on our scale >:() but they didnt usually last more than 10 minutes. Many were 2s. I dont remember ever having opposite side phantoms like this or shadowing anywhere near like for the 3 or more weeks I did, and I put it down to interfering with my cycle with the water water water - not great but better than hits any day ;;D

hope you're finding what you need around here
wishing you well - keep strong
CC :)

Title: Re: Shadows
Post by RichardN on Jan 15^th, 2005, 2:50am

To me, it's just that . . . . a shadow of a cluster, starting behind the eye and right (for me) temple. By 2-3, I'm hitting the 02. Nightime hits might go to KIP 4-5 before I can abort with the 02.
Most of my life, I seldom had HAs. Four years with these things and if it's any other type HA, (frontal lobe, back of the head), I don't worry about it. Right side/eye/temple = CH shadow = 02 . . . . for me.
I credit Verap (240), Melatonin 6mg, water/water/water for helping to keep the frequency and intensity much lower than they might be.

PFDANs

Richard

Title: Re: Shadows
Post by Renee on Jan 15^th, 2005, 6:29am

For me, a shadow is somewhat compared to the dagger still stuck in my eye but it is no longer hot. I can still feel the pressure of the dagger but I'm not dancing.

It is also what I rate the kip 1-3's but sometimes I shadow all day with no relief. I'll get a stuffy nose and droopy eye as well but nothing compared to the droopy eye that comes with a higher kip ch.

Title: Re: Shadows
Post by E-Double on Jan 15^th, 2005, 8:06am

on 01/15/05 at 00:11:12, Mr. Happy wrote:

If it even _remotely_ reminds me of CH, then it's a shadow. Don't have a rating system for the damned things. However they're rated, it's a reminder to keep a pocket Triptan nearby.

I consider a "shadow" the "Don't you dare forget I'm here feeling!!"........

A reminder of what could be.....a little BOO!! ;)

Title: Re: Shadows
Post by EmpressJMB on Jan 15^th, 2005, 9:53am

My shadows are the feeling like one is coming on but never materializes; just hangs around not letting me forget it's there. J.

Title: Re: Shadows
Post by Biker on Jan 15^th, 2005, 10:03am

I consider my "shadows" as a warning that its time to find my oxygen. Sometimes my shadows are just that- and do not ramp up to a full blown CH. Sometimes, my shadow turns out to be the beginning of a full blown brain pain. Either way, a shadow is my personal trigger to find oxygen-----FAST!!!!. I use to use that "wait and see" method, but these days, I will not hesitate a bit to breathe in some good old 02. Even a little "twinge" of pain in my CH spot finds me looking for my oxygen. Yea, I may be a wimp, but I think I have crawled around enough to learn I dont have to take any chances with that devil. Oxygen tends to abort my shadows. If I can abort the shadow, the CH takes longer to hit, and most times does not hit at all.
Before my discovery of oxygen (thanks to CH.com) my shadows would last for hours. Like a really mild CH, then WHAM!!!!! I would become a babbling, head banging, worthless man-thing.

Title: Re: Shadows
Post by maureen on Jan 15^th, 2005, 10:15am

A shadow for me is the constant annoying tingle at the base of my head CH side and behind my eye. Before I found this site I used to call it my" know it's still here pain." Once that tingle is gone so are my CH.

Title: Re: Shadows
Post by Ann9900 on Jan 15^th, 2005, 10:40am

Thanks for all of the great advice! You've all helped to put a word to what I've been feeling. I've often thought of this (until now) "undefined" pain as it saying "Hey, I'm still here!" It often doesn't materialize into anything significant (fortunately for me), but like I said, I'd like to get some definition to my cycle. The thing that really made me wonder if I was still in my cycle happened Thursday. I decided to have some fruity wine-cooler-type drink with dinner. Shortly after, the "lingering pain" I had was becoming more intense. Nothing I couldn't handle, but stronger than it was before the drink.

Thanks again for the help! I'll keep reading and keep drinking my water... :)

Title: Re: Shadows
Post by taraann on Jan 15^th, 2005, 12:09pm

I call shadows, pressure headaches. To me it's a mild pressure that says it might turn into a fullblown stabbing CH. Like something is pushing from the inside out, but lightly.

Title: Re: Shadows
Post by River_Rat on Jan 19^th, 2005, 9:28am

on 01/14/05 at 20:36:53, Kris_in_SJ wrote:

In many ways, a shadow is like a CH hangover that just stays around. In fact, my temple actually is sore to the touch all the time when I'm at my peak.

Kris

Thanks for the quote Kris I couldn't have said it better.

PFDAN

NORM