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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Shadow Headaches?
        
(Message started by: jack8417 on Aug 19^th, 2007, 10:57am)

Title: Shadow Headaches?
Post by jack8417 on Aug 19^th, 2007, 10:57am

Hi fellow sufferers,

A little over a month ago I finally got through a cycle and I thought that was it for about three more years (which has been the norm). About a week ago I started getting them again, but so far they are not bad and Advil has been able to stop them. Still I am wondering have I started another cycle, or have I gone chronic?. I really hope that is not the case. I would like to be able to drink red wine again someday.

I had seen the term shadow headaches and was not sure what that referred to.

Any ideas about what is going on?

Title: Re: Shadow Headaches?
Post by Redd on Aug 19^th, 2007, 11:21am

I use this annalogy to describe shadows.

The car is in neutral, the engine running. One foot is on the clutch the other is on the gas and the engine rev's up and down all the while you are fearing that stick being slammed into gear, dropping the clutch and the gas floored.

Title: Re: Shadow Headaches?
Post by southwalessunshine on Aug 19^th, 2007, 4:17pm

Sounds like shadows. I get them all day long for the last 6 weeks or so. This wasn't the norm for me but we all have to remember that CH will and can change its characteristics at will. My shadows start with yawning and confusion, and a pressure in my eyebrow oe temple. it escalates to about a kip 5 at most then either stays there until aborted or turns into the beast.

Title: Re: Shadow Headaches?
Post by DennisM1045 on Aug 19^th, 2007, 10:11pm

Well put SWSunshine. That describes mine pretty well. I mostly get them on days following a nite hit and they typically begin to fade again late in the day. They suck almost as much as the beast.

-Dennis-

Title: Re: Shadow Headaches?
Post by luveemom on Aug 19^th, 2007, 10:38pm

Redd described it pretty well......I have em all day...I am chronic though.....to me it is the beast lurking....it usually will turn into a full blown cluster at very specific times...between those times I have shadows all the time......they suck.....I don't take advil.....I got ulcers years ago from that kinda stuff....

alicia

Title: Re: Shadow Headaches?
Post by jack8417 on Aug 21^st, 2007, 5:16pm

Thanks to all that responded. I was wondering whether what I was having were Shadows. Usually they just go away for a few years after an episode. The last one was 14 weeks and I was glad they were gone although I never had a beast like the previous two episodes. Maybe a 7 or so was as high as they got.
I have not had one in the last two days and hope is is a long time before another, but I don't think so.
Thanks again.
jack

Title: Re: Shadow Headaches?
Post by luveemom on Aug 21^st, 2007, 6:15pm

Hey Jack,
I am not sure, it sure sounds like shadows.....they can vary from a kip 4 to a 6 or 7 for me. I hope you don't get any more either! I like red wine too!! I am able to drink it now and then, it is not always a trigger for me, I guess I lucked out on that one.....cause almost everthing else in life is a trigger! Good luck, and PF wishes.

Alicia

Title: Re: Shadow Headaches?
Post by Paula on Aug 21^st, 2007, 6:51pm

I was always so happy when my cycle would end because I would go at least 2 or more years inbetween. Then in summer 2005 I ended a very bad one, and then again in fall of 2006 and into this year I cycled again. I hope it is not another cycle for you. Can't count on the devil to be on time.

Title: Re: Shadow Headaches?
Post by Redd on Aug 21^st, 2007, 9:59pm

on 08/19/07 at 22:38:44, luveemom wrote:

I've been chronic for 22+ years and only correctly Dx for the last 3.5 years. I've gotten so accustom to dealing with shadows that I don't even count them into the equasion anymore, even though I should for science sake.

Title: Re: Shadow Headaches?
Post by jack8417 on Aug 23^rd, 2007, 9:56pm

These have not been bad, but just aggravating as I am sure you are all aware. I have not had any the last two days for some reason. Like I said earlier the other two episodes I had after a month or so they went away for several years. This last 14 week episode was bad, but I never had a 9 or 10 like I did in the two previous episodes.
I must admit that these things are a real bummer, but they are sure interesting. How they go away for months or years then reappear is really weird to me.

My wife has fibromyalga (sic) and she is currently really suffering. Like these headaches when you tell someone you have them they say "yeah I get those too". Naming them headaches makes everyone think that you take a couple of aspirin and be done with it. Fibro is like that also. You would be better off having a big goiter on your neck so someone could really realize that you have a problem.
Thanks again.
jack

Title: Re: Shadow Headaches?
Post by BarbaraD on Aug 24^th, 2007, 2:07pm

Jack,

I know your frustration.... We've discussed it for years here about calling CH headaches. Sounds a little tame for what they really are.

My best friend has fibromyalgia (msp) and we discuss this frequently. We were both healthy growing up - broken bones, scrapes, bruises - nothing major and then we both come down with diseases that have no cause and no cure and can't be explained to anyone and no one can understand that we hurt like hell and there's nothing that can be done about it. We laugh at each other (about all we can do) and say "at least we were healthy when we were young!"

Just don't let the demons get you down. We just have to be tougher than they are.

Hugs BD