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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006-2007 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> Shadows
        
(Message started by: midwestbeth on Dec 9^th, 2006, 9:42am)

Title: Shadows
Post by midwestbeth on Dec 9^th, 2006, 9:42am

Hello everyone. I'm very new to this board and only started having clusters last spring so I'm still trying to understand this beast that has moved into my head (left side). My question has to do with shadows. I haven't had a kip 8-9 for about a week, but now I'm getting shadows everyday, morning, noon and night.

Does this mean I'm at the end of a cycle? Yesterday I went about 3 hours without shadows and was feeling pretty good thinking wow so this is how it feels with no pain at all and then the shdows came back. My shadows feel like I'm breathing ice cold/hot (I really don't know how to describe it) air into my left nostril and my jaw hurts. It's not enough to put me down and just enough to make me irritated and distracted. I'd say kip 2-4 since it varies throughout the day. How long does everyone usually have shadows? Will this ever end?

Title: Re: Shadows
Post by pattik on Dec 9^th, 2006, 10:12am

Hi Beth,
It could mean that you are at the end of your cycle. My own episodes begin and end with lower level hits that can have real staying power. Since you are so new to these headaches, it would be a good idea to keep a detailed journal regarding dates, time of day, duration, K level, and any accompanying symptoms, like stuffy nose, tearing, etc. Headache diaries can be really helpful to your doctors and also help you recognize patterns and triggers for future reference. If you haven't tried oxygen, I suggest you check it out (link on the left). For minor hits, you might try caffeine, ice packs, and even ginger tea has been helpful for many.
Let us know a little more about what you've been doing for your headaches, and feel free to ask questions. There is a lot of experience and knowledge among the members here.
pat k

Title: Re: Shadows
Post by midwestbeth on Dec 9^th, 2006, 10:37am

Just started the headache diary. I'm going to a specialist that was recommended by someone on this site next week. I haven't tried the 02 yet, but thats what I'm going to talk to the Dr about. I'm taking Atenolol everyday for preventative and I drink lots of Sugar Free Red Bull, coffee and water, water, water! Right now I'm completely PF!! Yeaaaaa!! Ever since these have started I feel as if I live my life moment to moment always in fear of another full blown attack, so I really appreciate the time I'm PF.

Title: Re: Shadows
Post by Jonny on Dec 9^th, 2006, 6:00pm

Did you take the cluster quiz on the left?

Title: Re: Shadows
Post by BobG on Dec 9^th, 2006, 7:53pm

on 12/09/06 at 09:42:48, midwestbeth wrote:

My shadows feel like I'm breathing ice cold/hot (I really don't know how to describe it) air into my left nostril and my jaw hurts.

I know that feeling and can't describe it either.
I haven't had a true, full-blown cluster in about 7 years but I have had a shadow cluster (cycle) each of those years usually from January to March-April. I'll get a KIP 2 or 3 or 4 once or twice a day, usually at night. I've been getting KIP 2's about every other day for the last 2 weeks so it looks like this year's cycle has already starting. Maybe I'll be lucky and it'll end a month early.

Title: Re: Shadows
Post by midwestbeth on Dec 10^th, 2006, 9:18am

Took the cluster quiz. Perfect score for having cluster headaches :-[, but a least now I know what I'm dealing with.

Title: Re: Shadows
Post by E-Double on Dec 10^th, 2006, 9:21am

This is a great resource to know like the back of your hand...print it out and give it to the doc

http://www.brightok.net/~mnjday/chtherapy.pdf

It will present the appropriate treatments that you should seek and your doctor should know!!!

Title: Re: Shadows
Post by TonyG1 on Jan 7^th, 2007, 3:11pm

on 12/09/06 at 09:42:48, midwestbeth wrote:

My shadows feel like I'm breathing ice cold/hot (I really don't know how to describe it) air into my left nostril and my jaw hurts. It's not enough to put me down and just enough to make me irritated and distracted. I'd say kip 2-4 since it varies throughout the day.

I experience the same thing with Shadows... had two full blown hits yesterday ... one not so bad, the other was horrible... afterwards I shadowed all day yesterday. I feel the same thing especially sensitive to cold air. The thing about shadows is while they are a very low kip level, they wear you down over time .. stay strong !!

T.