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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> 16 months ago...
        
(Message started by: mabus on Apr 25^th, 2007, 12:30am)

Title: 16 months ago...
Post by mabus on Apr 25^th, 2007, 12:30am

...The beast left. And now I think I've got to admit that he's baaaack!

But this time seems different. I've known CH's for nearly a quarter centrury, and the cycle is pretty darned predictable once it comes on. Just a twinge to start, gradually increasing to a high-kip in about 2-3 weeks, with attacks coming up to 3-4 x a day at the top of the curve. Once it peaks, it diminishes in a manner similar, though opposite to how it came on. And it seems to be a spring or fall thing when it starts.

This time however, with no warning, and on Friday the 13th mind you, I had a k5-6 while out with a friend for drinks. No twinge in the preceeding days, no ramp up through the k2s, the k3 and 4s - just wham, here you are. Surprise!!! Needless to say, I've avoided alcohol since then.

I wasn't even sure that it was CH, because it was so out of character for what I've known for so long. And then for the next week, there were only a couple of minor questionable episodes, which didn't reiterate that a full scale onslaught was maybe coming, and I was still hopeful...

But within the last couple of days, they've been more regular, at a couple a day, and I've started to resort to minor Imitrex shots - luckily 1.5 mg works just as well for me as 6 mg does, and I'm able to vial-buy with my script - but the worst thing I've had so far, I think, is the original one of "ahem, here I am".

I'm thinking that I'm in cycle, but it's atypical. Have any others out there experienced something similar? I'm 47, and keep hoping that the last cycle will BE the last cycle (don't we all).

Title: Re: 16 months ago...
Post by Skyhawk5 on Apr 25^th, 2007, 12:55am

I'm currently near 3 months into an out of season cycle. Shouldn't have started until around May like my last one. Caught me off my guard.

In 19yrs my cycle start has changed 3 times, the rotten Beast, and I thought I was just having some out of cycle hits but I was wrong. I'm sorry to tell you that.

I hope it's not that way for you. Good Luck, Skyhawk5

Title: Re: 16 months ago...
Post by ClusterChris on Apr 25^th, 2007, 8:56am

Mabus,

Hopefully this brings a little bit of hope to you. The exact same thing happend to me last cycle, I got my normal cycle first in the spring, lasted about 5 weeks, Waited about 6 or 7 days pain free then went out for my celebration drunkfest like always. about 3 days later, WHAMO about a k6. I thought it was probably just a 1 shot deal till the next day they pretty much fired right back up full force. I went 4 more weeks in full cycle. I was mad as hell! Now for the good part, After that double stint, I went 2 years Pf. I don't know if that double bout had anything to do with the 2 years of pain free time but if it did I'd take the double hit anytime! Best of luck to ya.

Chris

Title: Re: 16 months ago...
Post by TxBasslady on Apr 26^th, 2007, 12:33am

The one thing I've learned....is that CH is not predictable.

Lots of folks had weird cycles this past year. Seems the cycles started earlier than usual, and lasted as long as they normally do.

Always be prepared! CH has a mind of it's own.

Jean

Title: Re: 16 months ago...
Post by BB on Apr 26^th, 2007, 1:18am

Sorry to hear the beast have thrown a curved ball on you. It has a tendency to do that a lot.

Everytime we thought we got the beast figured out, things changed !

Just take it day by day and deal with each hit as they come, things will settle.

Painfree wishes to you.

Hugs

Annette

Title: Re: 16 months ago...
Post by pieface_49 on Apr 26^th, 2007, 10:57pm

I am out of normal cycle. In the past 3 weeks I have had 3 nothing to consider hits (Kip1-3). Tuesday I had a hit before I left the house for work. Kip3-4, affected my driving. I could not wait to get to work and try one of those SoBe's I had in the fridge. Who knows? Could have been the SoBe, but left after about 8 ounces (half the drink). Totally agree, nothing is written in stone. After I drank it all, reminded me of taking a hit of speed (long time ago). About a month ago I was saying it is gone for now. Told my Neuro see you in June/July when it hits again. Just like that, on Tuesday, it came from nowhere. Can no longer predict anything.

Donnie

Title: Re: 16 months ago...
Post by mabus on Apr 28^th, 2007, 12:46am

Thanks for the kind words, all. I had a couple of k4-5s last night, and am working on about a 2 right now, it doesn't seem to be manifesting itself as devilishly as some of his buddies have in the past. My cycles have been quite predictable once they show up, and this one - so far - doesn't seem to be as bad and debilitating as past adventures have been. No 8s or worse - and none of the oddball daytime hits! I seem to be night exclusive this time, and not so horribly that I haven't been able to sleep.

Wishing pfdan for all soon!

Title: Re: 16 months ago...
Post by michael on Apr 28^th, 2007, 2:49am

I've had cluster headaches now for 40 years. Im 54 - they started when I was 14. For most of that time the cycles have been fairly predictable but I have had a few oddballs. My cycles are usually 6-8 weeks and right sided. Back in the winter of 73-74 I had a 6month cycle.
In the early 80's I had one that lasted 3 months, and then switched sides for another 3 months. I had one only a few years ago that lasted the normal 6 weeks, went away for two then came back for another 6 weeks.
The cycle I have just had lasted 10 weeks and was left sided. It just seems to like playing games.

Mike