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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006-2007 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> So how do I know my cycle is finished?
        
(Message started by: Quinkin on Jan 24^th, 2006, 2:39am)

Title: So how do I know my cycle is finished?
Post by Quinkin on Jan 24^th, 2006, 2:39am

Hi All,

I've experienced my first CH cycle after a life (29 years) of never having headaches worth more than a panadol.

It's been almost two months now (started about three weeks before christmas) and I am getting near the end of my tether.

Last week was really hard with Sunday night to Thursday morning being a fairly constant stream of fierce attacks (whereas previously it was generally only at night/early morning and I would sometimes get a day off).

However I have just had 4-5 PFDs before a fairly short and relatively mild episode this morning (probably a Kip 5 or 6) at work.

My question to the veterans out there is how do I know when my cycle has ended, or is it just "wait and see"?

I thought I was clear after 4-5 PFDs (more than double my previous mid-cycles breaks) and it has been pretty depressing to end up back in the cycle. The overwhelming sense of helplessness and futility... I can't imagine what it must be like for those who have experienced year after year.

Beren.

Title: Re: So how do I know my cycle is finished?
Post by AussieBrian on Jan 24^th, 2006, 2:58am

How do you know when it's over? Dead easy!

The lights start flashing, the music blares and it's party time. The grog's a-flowing, sun's shining, the circus is in town and suddenly all the world is good again. Fifteen tons of dead weight are lifted from your shoulders and you can fly with the eagles, and the Broncos get another win.

It's this knowlege keeps many of us going and it's great to see you staying positive.

Cheers and beers,

Brian.

Title: Re: So how do I know my cycle is finished?
Post by Barry_T_Coles on Jan 24^th, 2006, 3:27am

on 01/24/06 at 02:39:48, Quinkin wrote:

Hi All,

or is it just "wait and see"?

Beren.

Hi Beren

Best you can is as you say wiat & see if this is your first time around then you wont have the experience to know yet but if you are anything like me you should be getting near hopefully.
My last cycle lasted around 12 weeks, the previous was 8 -10 weeks, we are all different in how it effects us.

And as Brian has said you will want to party when its over.

Hope it breaks soon for you.
Kind Regards
Barry

Title: Re: So how do I know my cycle is finished?
Post by marlinsfan on Jan 24^th, 2006, 9:04am

How do I know? I drink a couple of glasses of wine or beer. If I get hit, then I know it ain't over!

I waited one month after the last headache in my last cycle before I drank one, just to be sure.

Title: Re: So how do I know my cycle is finished?
Post by E-Double on Jan 24^th, 2006, 11:31am

30 days PF signals the true end of cycle according to the big whigs

Title: Re: So how do I know my cycle is finished?
Post by FramCire on Jan 24^th, 2006, 3:19pm

on 01/24/06 at 11:31:07, E-Double wrote:

30 days PF signals the true end of cycle according to the big whigs

Leave it to E-Dub to know the actual technical answer. Seriously, I am impressed.

My last cycle ended and I knew it first thing in the morning. I can't tell you how but my 7am headache wasn't even a shadow and I knew it was over. Unfortunately, I had a day this cycle when I had a very light 7am shadow and thought this cycle was over. I went around town doing errands (that I had been putting off) and smiled from ear to ear.

It was actually worth it to have a day full of joy despite the horror that night when my 6pm retuned at normal force.

Now, my only mistake was retunring my O2 tank that day but I learned a valuable lesson. Of course I thought the shadow was just my fear of having a headache causing me to have a small one. I didn't realize at the time that there were HAs below 4 or 5 on the kip scale (I hadn't read the kip scale for over a year).

Anyway, I also have found a trigger (chocolate) and when I am pretty sure the cycle is over, I will test it with my trigger. Until then, enjoy the PF days like the cycle is over but remind yourself it isn't so you don't get depressed when they return.

Title: Re: So how do I know my cycle is finished?
Post by seasonalboomer on Jan 24^th, 2006, 3:29pm

on 01/24/06 at 15:19:21, FramCire wrote:

Now, my only mistake was retunring my O2 tank that day but I learned a valuable lesson...

Sometimes a little procrastination can be a good thing! ;)

Scott

Title: Re: So how do I know my cycle is finished?
Post by chewy on Jan 24^th, 2006, 4:50pm

Quote:

30 days PF signals the true end of cycle according to the big whigs

I didn't know that. Didn't know the cluster gerus officially weighed in on that one. Is that on the IHS site?

Title: Re: So how do I know my cycle is finished?
Post by E-Double on Jan 24^th, 2006, 5:05pm

on 01/24/06 at 16:50:09, chewy wrote:

I didn't know that. Didn't know the cluster gerus officially weighed in on that one. Is that on the IHS site?

I do not think that it dictates an end to a cycle according to IHS, however if 30 consecutive days without PF time for a yr. is what defines a chronic then wouldn't having 30 days PF time also determine when an episodic cycle is truly over?

It makes sense to me.

I do not know for sure my friend.

E

Title: Re: So how do I know my cycle is finished?
Post by maffumatt on Jan 24^th, 2006, 6:52pm

get drunk, you will know real quick. If its a trigger for you that is.

Title: Re: So how do I know my cycle is finished?
Post by Quinkin on Jan 24^th, 2006, 8:09pm

on 01/24/06 at 18:52:05, maffumatt wrote:

get drunk, you will know real quick. If its a trigger for you that is.

Not always, but mostly it seems. I'll give it a try once I think I am clear again.
Thanks everyone.

Title: Re: So how do I know my cycle is finished?
Post by chewy on Jan 24^th, 2006, 10:27pm

Quote:

however if 30 consecutive days without PF time for a yr. is what defines a chronic then wouldn't having 30 days PF time also determine when an episodic cycle is truly over?

I suppose so. Never thought of it that way.

I know my cycle is over when I start getting consecutive full nights of sleep with the abscence of daytime shadows. Thats when I begin to taper off the verapamil.

Title: Re: So how do I know my cycle is finished?
Post by MJ on Jan 25^th, 2006, 12:05am

The only sure way to know is when you dont have them anymore.
Dont tempt it just enjoy it. Dont wait just get on with life and live it for all its got.

Title: Re: So how do I know my cycle is finished?
Post by imnotbub on Feb 1^st, 2006, 11:05am

So how do I know my cycle is finished?

It doesn't hurt any more.

Title: Re: So how do I know my cycle is finished?
Post by Trasher on Feb 1^st, 2006, 9:39pm

When I'm able to say that I haven't had a headache for "X" number of days, I know it is over.

X = ????

Wish I could tell you more.

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