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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Chronic or episodic
        
(Message started by: Kiwiinoz58 on Jun 25^th, 2005, 7:12pm)

Title: Chronic or episodic
Post by Kiwiinoz58 on Jun 25^th, 2005, 7:12pm

Can someone tell me the difference between chronic and episodic? Not sure which is me as I'm still in the learning process. Also what are kips and shadows?
Cheers,
Jacqs(Kiwi)

Title: Re: Chronic or episodic
Post by TonyG1 on Jun 25^th, 2005, 7:53pm

I'm sure there are others on the board that can explain better than I but I'll take a shot:

Epsodic as it suggests is a person who will go through regular cluster episodes lasting however long they last. They headaches go away for a period and then a new cycle will come around. For me, my cycles run ever 2 to 2 1/2 years apart and last for a month or two before giving me a break until the next cycle. The chronic side of the cluster family doesn't get this break between cycles (god bless them!!!). As it suggests, chronic is chronic and is continuous.

The kip scale is the pain scale ... see the link on the left had side of the screen:

http://www.clusterheadaches.com/scale.html

A shadow is not a full blown cluster headache but rather are a psedo cluster... just enough to let you know you're still in cycle but not enough to cause a great deal of distress -- unless -- they are unusually strong shadows and last for an extended period of time... they can wear you down ... not to mention the fear they breed for the coming of the next full blown cluster ... [smiley=ohjez.gif]

Hope this helps

Title: Re: Chronic or episodic
Post by bnfreeman on Jun 25^th, 2005, 10:45pm

I was told by the wonderful people here that shadows where pretty much like a baby cluster. I was having 10' s everyday for weeks and months then all of a sudden it was a constant nagging cluster-like headache on the right side of my head. Been like that since March. Only a few 10's some 8's and 9's too. But not as bad as they were. I am still in cycle, had a beer and wish I hadn't before I could finish it.

So far I am chronic since October 2004, but not totally chronic because I havn't made it made it to the 1 year mark. Last year had a few months of peace. Hope you are episodic.

BF

Title: Re: Chronic or episodic
Post by nani on Jun 26^th, 2005, 2:54am

Officially, one is not chronic until they have gone one year without 30 consecutive, med free, pain free days.

A shadow, for me, is a duller CH. I can have a k5 shadow that lasts several hours. The difference is in the onset of the pain ( a hit will fully emerge within 5-10 minutes...a shadow can take an hour to ramp up), and the "sharpness" of the pain. A hit feels like a sword...a shadow feels like a baseball being shoved in behind my eye.
pain free wishes, nani

Title: Re: Chronic or episodic
Post by Kiwiinoz58 on Jun 26^th, 2005, 6:24am

Thanks so much people at least you have cleared up a few questions. It would seem that I'm chronic and have lots of shadows in between attacks. The only pain free time I've had in the last year was for 2 months after my Verap dose reached 480mgs. It is now up to 940mgs. But knowledge does help!

love to you all,
cheers,
Jacqs(Kiwi) :)

Title: Re: Chronic or episodic
Post by burnt-toast on Jun 26^th, 2005, 9:12am

The whole eposidic vs chronic issue has been a sore issue with me. The stake in the ground of 1 yr without remissions of 14-30 consecutive days?

I often read posts from folks that have ON periods that last months. Dealing with these things for several consecutive months will wear anyone down, and impair ones ability to function normally.

My ON periods last years so I'm chronc, but the effects of several consecutive months of sleep deprivation should make CH a chronic problem for more folks that we tyically count. [smiley=twocents.gif]

Tom

Title: Re: Chronic or episodic
Post by E-Double on Jun 26^th, 2005, 9:57am

http://www.dmkg.org/neuig/ihsc/3_cluster.pdf#search='diagnostic%20criteria%20chronic%20cluster%20headache'

Title: Re: Chronic or episodic
Post by don on Jun 26^th, 2005, 9:59am

http://www.clusterheadaches.com/newvisitors.html#acronyms

http://www.clusterheadaches.com/scale.html

Title: Re: Chronic or episodic
Post by Jonny on Jun 26^th, 2005, 12:33pm

on 06/26/05 at 02:54:05, nani wrote:

Officially, one is not chronic until they have gone one year without 30 consecutive, med free, pain free days.

Nope...they changed that to "Even if your taking preventitve meds"

I love how they just up and change shit when they never even had a CH.

Im not chronic cause I take meds?.....I guess Magic Johnson dosent have aids....right?

Title: Re: Chronic or episodic
Post by don on Jun 26^th, 2005, 12:36pm

Quote:

I guess Magic Johnson dosent have aids....right?

Not according to his wife.

He was cured by Jesus.

She actually said that on a talk show.

Title: Re: Chronic or episodic
Post by nani on Jun 26^th, 2005, 12:36pm

on 06/26/05 at 12:33:11, Jonny wrote:

Well, shit...I didn't get the memo. :-[

Title: Re: Chronic or episodic
Post by Jonny on Jun 26^th, 2005, 12:46pm

on 06/26/05 at 12:36:45, nani wrote:

Well, shit...I didn't get the memo. :-[

Me either......Don posted it awhile ago....the bastard could be lying to us....get the tar and feathers ready ;;D