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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Episodic in 6th week of cycle! 
        
(Message started by: Conrad on May 24^th, 2005, 11:55pm)

Title: Episodic in 6th week of cycle!
Post by Conrad on May 24^th, 2005, 11:55pm

Hello everyone. Have not posted anything in awhile, been busy with work and my headaches of course. I'm an air force recruiter. Still having 1 headache a day but I can manage them with oxygen for the most part and really shut it down with a zomig, get my new refill of those tomorrow. I apologize for not being here as much supporting, feel like I have not done my part here totally. I can say this though. I do pray for everyone with this problem before I go to bed at night, I really do. I know it hurts and I pray for a fix. So I hope that is worth something? For those of you that are episodic for around 6-8 weeks like me, do they all of a sudden just vanish for you?? I'm still on my 360mg verapamil and 100mg topamax a day in the mornings. God Bless all of you and long sleepy nights to all! [smiley=sleep.gif]

Title: Re: Episodic in 6th week of cycle!
Post by thomas on May 25^th, 2005, 8:41am

Yeah, they go away when they decide to. I am a little concerned that you are using topomax and are episodic, it just seems to me to be one of the last-restort type preventives. :-/

Title: Re: Episodic in 6th week of cycle!
Post by pattik on May 25^th, 2005, 10:04am

Hi Conrad. I'm episodic too. My cycles last 5-6 weeks, and typically, they ramp up in intensity from the middle to the end of the cycle when I can get Kip 8's and 9's. Then they suddenly stop, and that's the end of that cycle. I don't use preventative meds other than magnesium supplements as I am approching my usual autumn cycle time. I have found O2 to work very well, most of the time. Imitrex became less and less effective, mostly because of rebounds, so I haven't used that much lately. I'm going to try kudzu next time around. I have a full bottle just waiting in the medicine cabinet. ;;D

Title: Re: Episodic in 6th week of cycle!
Post by aprilbee on May 25^th, 2005, 11:02am

I am an episodic and mine last about 3 months I have CH on both sides of my head (yes I am one of the lucky ones) the first half of my cycle, they are on one side then switch in the other side half way through, I start counting down the days once it switches...and then...they stop...my neuro always wants me to try preventatives, but I have yet to find one that works.

wishing you pfdan too!

Title: Re: Episodic in 6th week of cycle!
Post by kcopelin on May 25^th, 2005, 11:18am

Yes, they all of the sudden vanish-after reaching a peak. Am on verapamil and just started a prednisone taper-cause the beast is not responding-in fact it has morphed to nights AND days which really sucks. My CH started when I was in the AF. Am retired now and get my treatment through VA. How is the AF treating you with these headaches?
Kathy

Title: Re: Episodic in 6th week of cycle!
Post by Kris_in_SJ on May 26^th, 2005, 8:29pm

I'm a 10-12 week person. Mine ramp up - 1 every third day, then every other, then every, then twice a day. By then, the Verapamil is kicking in. At peak, I have 2/day with constant kip 2-4 shadows. Then, they slowly ramp down just the way they started, except those damned shadows stick around for quite awhile. I usually only have to use Trex injects for a few weeks until the Verap kicks in. Then a really strong cup of coffee helps a little.

Word of caution ... it took me a full 4-5 months to wean off the Verapamil this last cycle .... slow wins the race, so they say.

PF Wishes,

Kris