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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Becoming more frequent?
        
(Message started by: Alison Strobel Morrow on Feb 2^nd, 2007, 6:48pm)

Title: Becoming more frequent?
Post by Alison Strobel Morrow on Feb 2^nd, 2007, 6:48pm

My husband began to get ch back in July of 2005. Had them every other night for a month and then they stopped. Happened again for the month of June 2006. But then, out of nowhere, he started getting them this weekend. Has anyone had that happen, when they change pattern like that? Does that mean he's going to start getting them twice a year? Or is it possible that they've "changed months"? I read the board and see how some of you poor souls suffer from these hellacious headaches for months at a time; I'm terrified of him developing that kind of frequency...

-Alison

Title: Re: Becoming more frequent?
Post by georgej on Feb 2^nd, 2007, 7:14pm

Alison, welcome.

There's truly no way to answer that question. I'm episodic as well, and had them twice a year for a long time. They've gotten less frequent as time has gone on. But they can morph, and often do.

Rather than look at what may happen, please encourage him to look at what is happening each day--take it one hit at a time, one day at a time. To worry over what may happen means worrying forever. Worrying about the future will drive him nuts. It is what it is, and it does what it does--that's all.

Best wishes, and again--welcome.

George

Title: Re: Becoming more frequent?
Post by Guiseppi on Feb 2^nd, 2007, 10:37pm

I have an almost 30 year history of CH. They come more frequent, and less frequent, more intense, then less intense. My remissions get longer, then shorter. The only thing consistent is this board.

George gives great advice. Deeply appreciate the remissions, ALWAYS be prepared to do battle. I hope he has oxygen, a decent secondary abortive like imitrex and a good preventative like lithium or verapamil. Read up on the options and make sure he is prepared to go to battle and not just waiting!!! And thank you for being a supporter, we love you guys!!

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Becoming more frequent?
Post by BB on Feb 2^nd, 2007, 10:39pm

Hi Alison and welcome,

I know how you feel. My husband started his first CH back in August 2005. I was told by the specialists that it would likely go on for 6 weeks then it should stop. We hung out for 6 weeks then it turned to 8 then 10 then ..... he is still getting hit now, thats nearly 7 months.

We went through the inevitable roller coaster of being hopeful everytime things slowed down a little to being exasperated when the hits came thick and vicious ... In the end, it was the emotional upheavals that got both of us exhausted.

Realising that we would not be able to cope with such mentality, we went to the experts at the Pain Clinic and attended counselling sessions. We had to learn relaxation techniques, learn to change our patterns of thinking and beliefs, learn to how to handle emotional stress and learn how to live life regardless ...

Now we can say that although my husband still gets hit daily, its not controlling us anymore. We live normally and deal with the hits when they come.

I guess it would be similar with other chronic conditions. My best friend has trigeminal neuralgia, it can hit her anytime anywhere too and its also pretty painful. I have seen her at work, doing everything just like everyone else. When she suddenly got hit, she would sit down, clutched the side of her face in pain, moaned slightly for several minutes then when the pain subsided she would get up and go again, with a smile always, albeit looking pale and worn out.

My husband is now learning and practising to do the same. It can be done.

Hugs and best wishes to you both.

Annette

Title: Re: Becoming more frequent?
Post by MJ on Feb 5^th, 2007, 2:09am

Hi Allison

Yes CH is predictable for some but changes often for others who are episodic.

Sometimes a few hits out of the blue may be caused by triggers, such as perfumes or detergents.

Good experience posted above.

Title: Re: Becoming more frequent?
Post by burnt-toast on Feb 5^th, 2007, 10:09am

Alison,

In my expereince it's not unusual for pattern(s) associated with CH activity to change.

I've expereinced CH's apparent ability to quickly adapt to treatments and resurface after finding something that appeared to be effective. I've also experienced large variation/shifts in seasonal activity.

The familiar symptoms/pain is consistent but at least in my case the nightmare is always finding new ways to keep me off balance.

Best thing to do is maintain a close working relationship with the doc(s). and try to be prepared for times when CH decides to change the rules.

Best wishes,

Tom