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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> worried about going chronic
        
(Message started by: Benjamin_michael on Jun 8th, 2006, 6:23pm)
Title: worried about going chronic
Post by Benjamin_michael on Jun 8th, 2006, 6:23pm
well so far since my very first cycle. each cycle has gotten worse. the cycles have been about the same length. but it started out that i would get hit 1 every other day. then they went to 1 every other day and sometimes 1 in the in between days. then it went to 1 every day. then to 1 every day and sometimes 2 in a day. well now it just jumped to 3 every day. and they are not always at the same time anymore. some are ontime. others aren't. im just looking for what people think. whether it might be tryin to chronic or not. thanks for the help.
Title: Re: worried about going chronic
Post by Bob_Johnson on Jun 8th, 2006, 8:57pm
Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2002 Feb;6(1):65-70. Related Articles, Links  

 
What predicts evolution from episodic to chronic cluster headache?

Torelli P, Manzoni GC.

Headache Centre, Institute of Neurology, Strada del Quartiere, 4, Parma 43100, Italy. paolatorelli@libero.it

Over the last few years, attention has increasingly been focused on the evolution of cluster headache over time. Predictive factors have been identified that are correlated with an increased risk of unfavorable evolution from the episodic form to the chronic form of cluster headache. Late onset, the presence of sporadic attacks, a high frequency of cluster periods, and short-lived duration of remission periods when the headache is still in its episodic form all correlate with a possible worsening of the clinical picture over time. The reasons for evolution of episodic cluster headache to chronic are still unknown, but some factors, such as head trauma and other lifestyle factors--eg, cigarette smoking and alcohol intake--have been suggested as having a negative influence on the course of cluster headache over time.

Publication Types:
Review
Review, Tutorial

PMID: 11749880  
Title: Re: worried about going chronic
Post by E-Double on Jun 8th, 2006, 9:45pm
Don't worry until you have gone 364 days without a break and then still don't worry.....just deal the best you can :)
Title: Re: worried about going chronic
Post by Guiseppi on Jun 8th, 2006, 10:31pm
What double said, don't worry. Know it will always be unpredictable, always be prepared to do battle, and enjoy the remissions!

Guiseppi
Title: Re: worried about going chronic
Post by BlueMeanie on Jun 8th, 2006, 11:15pm
Welcome Ben,

It's hard to not think about the C word when you're at your peak of a cycle. Most cycles for episodics start out with less frequency and eventually gain momentum. That's not to say you're becomming chronic, just the way it is. One day soon, I'll bet you'll wake with no CH and realize it's over for now. I'm sending vibes that this cycle of your does in-fact end very soon. Hang in there o.k., we know just how bad it can get and you WILL get through this.

Take care.
Title: Re: worried about going chronic
Post by Chronic on Jun 13th, 2006, 4:58pm
Take it from a Chronic...I feel for you.  I have been Chronic now for 4 years and a CH sufferer for 18 in total.  I can honestly say that you can survive.  It is difficult and I sometimes get depressed, but I know that 10 year break just around the corner.  Goodluck and PFD.
Title: Re: worried about going chronic
Post by Bob P on Jun 13th, 2006, 5:15pm
Nope.  2-3 attacks a day is the norm for episodic clusterheads.  1 a week is the low end, 8 a day is the high end.

Over the past 35 years my cycles have been anywhere from 4 weeks to 20 weeks in length and 2 or 3 hits a day.

Relax, don't worry about going chronic.  Find the therapy that seems to work best for you and just stay calm, patient and ride it out.

Good luck.
Title: Re: worried about going chronic
Post by Charlotte on Jun 13th, 2006, 6:34pm
As one who is chronic, it's day by day, just get through it.

Charlotte
Title: Re: worried about going chronic
Post by serendipity on Aug 3rd, 2006, 12:30pm
I've often worried about going chronic, too.  But then I tell myself that if I can deal with the beast for 2-3 months at a time, I can also deal with chronic CH if it ever comes to that.

I'm just curious, though... as an episodic sufferer, my headaches start out fairly mild (kip 3-5) and peak at around week 2-3 (kip 8-10) before tapering off again to the less-painful headaches.  How does this work with chronic sufferers, and how many headaches per week would a chronic usually have?
Title: Re: worried about going chronic
Post by Katherinecm on Aug 3rd, 2006, 3:17pm
I can't say for me as a chronic that there is typically a pattern. On a REALLY phenomenal day I might have 3 hits, and until about 4 weeks ago when I upped the lamictal and discovered what it is to have nonstop hits a bad day was 10 hits. I didn't put the lamictal thing together until about a week ago. I will often have 3 or 4 bad days followed by 3 or 4 good days, but that's not always true. When I'm not on a high dose of topamax I generally feel better in the morning than the afternoon or evening- abour 4pm the hits start coming and from that point on until 2am at least I'm pretty much worthless.
Title: Re: worried about going chronic
Post by kcopelin on Aug 3rd, 2006, 4:58pm
Episodic 24 years-chronic going on 18 months.  Good days and bad days-bad days are really bad-good days are a gift-no headache free days in 18 months.  You deal with it.  And go on.  Cause the alternative is not an option.
Yesterday I had 5 hits all over 7-finally took a Zomig last night (get 6 a month-gotta save those puppies) its like the cycle's ramping up.  
Today, tried to cuddle with my son, watch some cartoons-got hit.  
one hit at a time, and still standing. DON'T WORRY! It robs today of its beauty and joy.
PFDAN y'all
kathy
Title: Re: worried about going chronic
Post by BB on Aug 3rd, 2006, 7:14pm
Does CH ALWAYS start as episodic then maybe progress to chronic or can it start straight away as chronic?

Thank you

Annette
Title: Re: worried about going chronic
Post by LeLimey on Aug 3rd, 2006, 7:19pm
It can start straight away as chronic. That's what has happend for me. Its not common though, thankfully even being chronic isn't common.

Don't worry about it, you'll waste the good times you have and you won't change a thing  :)
Helen
Title: Re: worried about going chronic
Post by hbomb on Aug 3rd, 2006, 7:38pm
Ben,  I just checked into this Message Board and found your ? about going Chronic.  I am feeling the same way since I am into my 9th week without a sign of the monster taking a break.  I know it is only 9 weeks but I have never (in 30+ years) gone this long into a cycle.  I am trying to blame it on the weather and every other damn thing but the thoughts of Chronic will not go away.  After reading the words of encouragement from all of you chronic sufferers I Can't believe how strong all of you are.  UNBELIEVABLE.   Well, Ben, I hope both of us can have a glass of wine sooner than later.  Good Luck my friend.
HBomb (John)
Title: Re: worried about going chronic
Post by Katherinecm on Aug 3rd, 2006, 11:49pm

on 08/03/06 at 19:38:23, hbomb wrote:
After reading the words of encouragement from all of you chronic sufferers I Can't believe how strong all of you are.  UNBELIEVABLE.
(John)


You know what? Going chronic sounds really scary. And it is. And I don't want to discount how much it sucks, especially when it changes on you again for the worse at the least opportune moment. But for the most part, you adjust. Your body and mind get better at handling pain.
Title: Re: worried about going chronic
Post by CHTom on Aug 4th, 2006, 1:47am

on 08/03/06 at 19:38:23, hbomb wrote:
Ben,  I just checked into this Message Board and found your ? about going Chronic.  I am feeling the same way since I am into my 9th week without a sign of the monster taking a break.  I know it is only 9 weeks but I have never (in 30+ years) gone this long into a cycle.  I am trying to blame it on the weather and every other damn thing but the thoughts of Chronic will not go away.  After reading the words of encouragement from all of you chronic sufferers I Can't believe how strong all of you are.  UNBELIEVABLE.   Well, Ben, I hope both of us can have a glass of wine sooner than later.  Good Luck my friend.
HBomb (John)


Being chronic now for 12 years, I don't know if I've become stronger.  For me it is a matter of accepting my chronic status or putting a bullet through my head to end it all, something that I'm not ready to do.  I think that all chronics hold on in the hope that something will come along one day to end the misery and there are those moments in life that are still joyful, which I am glad for and keeps me going on.  I would not wish chronic status on my worst enemy, though sometimes I do wish that those who think that I (we) are either faking it or have some psychosomatic illness would experience it for a couple of weeks to see what we go through on a daily basis.
Title: Re: worried about going chronic
Post by chopmyheadoff on Aug 4th, 2006, 2:40am

on 08/03/06 at 12:30:19, serendipity wrote:
I've often worried about going chronic, too.  But then I tell myself that if I can deal with the beast for 2-3 months at a time, I can also deal with chronic CH if it ever comes to that.

I'm just curious, though... as an episodic sufferer, my headaches start out fairly mild (kip 3-5) and peak at around week 2-3 (kip 8-10) before tapering off again to the less-painful headaches.  How does this work with chronic sufferers, and how many headaches per week would a chronic usually have?


mine are just completely random intensity (im chronic) some days i may not get one, next day might be a kip 8.
funnily enough though i never have a 10 if iv had a painfree day before.
strange


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