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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Shadow episodes
        
(Message started by: MoverDave on Sep 7^th, 2006, 2:31pm)

Title: Shadow episodes
Post by MoverDave on Sep 7^th, 2006, 2:31pm

Brief history: I got my first bout with clusters about 15 yrs. ago. Had a great doctor who diagnosed it right off the bat. I continued to have regular, 3 week episodes every 6 months to a year. All the standard symptoms, always in the morning. I took Prednazone (?) and Verapamil to shorten the cycles along with Maxalt, Imatrex, etc. In the last five years, the episodes have started to trail off and become less frequent.

This week, for the first time in a few years, I had one shadow, one nearly full cluster, then a semi-severe bout today. All of the symptoms are there, but not the intense pain. I also get some minor, longer lasting headaches here and there. I have the prescriptions for the medications, but am no fan of them and don't want to start on them, the steriod in particular, if I do not have too.

Does anyone have any insight on what may be happening or what to expect? I would be a fool to not take the meds if this thing is going to get stronger or hang around but right now it seems like a tease and I am not convinced it will stay. I should note that the humidity and temp. where I live have dropped directly coinciding with my semi-bout. Any thoughts?

Also, can you get an oxygen tank and keep it in the closet? Will a doctor prescribe that??

One more thing. God bless all of you poor souls who are dealing with this. I know nobody can understand your pain and only realize how awful they are when they come back. Thanks!

Title: Re: Shadow episodes
Post by BlueMeanie on Sep 7^th, 2006, 2:42pm

During remissions, it is very common to get shadows and what seems to be a start of a cycle. I personally wouldn't worry about it, except for having your meds ready to go in the event a cycle does start. Especially abortives as they are a limited monthly med that won't be enough in the event of a full blown cycle.

Hope it's just a fluke. Vibes on the way to keep the beast at bay.

Title: Re: Shadow episodes
Post by BB on Sep 7^th, 2006, 6:09pm

Have you tried strong coffee and/or energy drink like Red Bull to see if they clear the shadow?

Sending you good vibes and painfree wishes, should help to scare the beast away ... :)

Annette

Title: Re: Shadow episodes
Post by MoverDave on Sep 7^th, 2006, 10:38pm

I used to hit the coffee hard when I had episodes, but usually in the morning with the medication. As I said in response to an earlier question about caffine, I have some concentrated cold coffee in my frige called "Cool Brew." If I get another bout tomorrow, I will slam a few shots and let you know how it worked. I have not been here in a few years. Did the whole caffine thing just explode recently? It was always in the mix, but seems to be a hot topic right now.

Title: Re: Shadow episodes
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Sep 8^th, 2006, 12:58am

One thing I am really glad I did at the end of my cycle last time was to keep getting refills of the triptans (Amerge at the time). Having a couple month's supply on hand when needed in invaluable, especially when waiting to get into the neuro. At the end of this cycle I'm filling every script I have and storing them away for next time. Hell even the knowledge that I have them brings some peace of mind.

Title: Re: Shadow episodes
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Sep 8^th, 2006, 1:02am

on 09/08/06 at 00:58:55, BigCoffinHunter wrote:

Hmm not quite sure what that had to do with caffeine or shadows, just kinda came out when typing. I find the caffeine does help quite a bit with shadows myself. I don't remember using caffeine as much during my last cycle, not sure why that was. Now I try and keep a jug of iced coffee in my fridge for when they decide to pop up.

Title: Re: Shadow episodes
Post by Phil L on Sep 10^th, 2006, 12:20am

Check out the post about cafine candies. There called "buzz bites" (I'm not kidding) and a better idea than hauling around cans of caffine or 2 gallon jugs
Starbucks.