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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Chronic/Episodic/Melatonin
        
(Message started by: starlight on Apr 13^th, 2007, 11:10pm)

Title: Chronic/Episodic/Melatonin
Post by starlight on Apr 13^th, 2007, 11:10pm

Quick question: I have always been episodic for 20 years, typically 3 mos. a year, recently will even skip a year. This past cycle which ended in Nov. was bad, more frequent headaches from onset, cycle lasted a month and a half longer than it ever had. I was on melatonin in the cycle (high doses) and it helped some. Here is the question: I weaned down to 6 mg melatonin gradually after cycle ended when I was shadow free and headache free. I have stayed on 6 mg/night ever since. Now, 5 months later there has been the occassional time when I will forget to take the melatonin for 2 nights in a row if I am really tired or something and just fall asleep and forget, one time I intentionally tried to quit taking it, other times just accidentally forgot. If I don't take it for 2 nights, I start shadowing HARD--feels like I am going right back into cycle--no question. Does this mean I have turned chronic and the melatonin is just masquing that? I never used to get shadows or anything between cycles, nothing at all. I am not complaining if I am b/c the melatonin seems to get rid of the problem when I resume taking it again, but I am just curious. Is the melatonin masquing a chronic condition? Anyone have any thoughts? Thanks

Title: Re: Chronic/Episodic/Melatonin
Post by Linda_Howell on Apr 13^th, 2007, 11:25pm

Quote:

Is the melatonin masquing a chronic condition?

Personally I think you are giving Melatonin way too much credit. Shadowing does not mean you are going into another cycle.

Title: Re: Chronic/Episodic/Melatonin
Post by chewy on Apr 14^th, 2007, 10:42am

Quote:

Is the melatonin masquing a chronic condition?

Like a bandaid masques an amputation.

If your chronic you'll know it melatonin or no melatonin.

Title: Re: Chronic/Episodic/Melatonin
Post by E-Double on Apr 14^th, 2007, 12:08pm

on 04/14/07 at 10:42:39, chewy wrote:

Like a bandaid masques an amputation.

If your chronic you'll know it melatonin or no melatonin.

Yup!
5 months is about in between cycles if spring and fall like I used to be.

I would have them oct/nov with a break until march/april....about 5 months ;)

Now they are just here as a reminder of what not to take for granted in life.

3 yrs going strong and living strong

Title: Re: Chronic/Episodic/Melatonin
Post by ClusterChuck on Apr 14^th, 2007, 12:18pm

on 04/14/07 at 12:08:13, E-Double wrote:

3 yrs going strong and living strong

YUP!!! The attitude to have!

Chuck

Title: Re: Chronic/Episodic/Melatonin
Post by starlight on Apr 14^th, 2007, 3:09pm

Thank you all for reassuring me that I am not (chronic). I realize the question probably sounds stupid, I'm sure I would know it if I was, just didn't understand why that was happening the couple times I forgot to take it.
Linda, only weird thing is that is the ONLY time I have had shadows out of cycle is when I stop taking it--I know what you're saying but it's definitely a result of going of the mel. Maybe I wouldn't go back into cycle, but they are like very rough shadows, maybe my body just getting used to going off although feels kinda freaky, maybe cause I'm not used to getting shadows out of cycle it definitely makes ya think the worse.
Anyway, I will just stay on it, that way no problem.