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        Daily Chat >> General Posts >> Questions and Curiosities
        
(Message started by: valleyboy on Feb 25^th, 2008, 12:40am)

Title: Questions and Curiosities
Post by valleyboy on Feb 25^th, 2008, 12:40am

I am in my second week of Cluster Hell. I have had CH for 35 years but have just started hanging with you 'heads. I have some questions and observations that I would like to pose but not all at one time, as the responses get jumbled. So I would like to try one at a time.
I know where the pain comes from but no one knows why. Has there been noted any common thread as to the months of the year that we get them? Mine are usually Jan,Feb and around July. Thanks all

Title: Re: Questions and Curiosities
Post by George_J on Feb 25^th, 2008, 1:08am

Back when I cycled twice a year, it was late October to the first part of December, then again late May to the beginning of July.

I haven't had a fall cycle for about ten years. The spring cycles I still get follow the May to July pattern.

Heck if I know why. It's been a consistent pattern for better than forty years, though.

By the way, welcome to the 'hood.

Best wishes,

George

Title: Re: Questions and Curiosities
Post by seasonalboomer on Feb 25^th, 2008, 5:46am

Mine used to be pretty consistent. Spring and Fall cycles. Now....well, not so consistent. Length of cycle changes. Triggers have changed some. Just when you think you have it figured out, thee is another change. O2 used to kill 80%, last cycle, not as good.

Scott

Title: Re: Questions and Curiosities
Post by catlind on Feb 25^th, 2008, 8:02am

When I was episodic I had spring and fall cycles as well.

There is some evidence that there is an increase in activity during the equinox - as reported by Dr. Marcelo Bigal, I'd have to search to find the abstract and the articles that contain that info though. He also said there is increased activity and numbers of sufferers the farther away from the equator you go.

As with everything to do with clusters though, no single common thread runs between us except the pain. Since not all of us have been identified with the anomaly that Prof Goadsby identified in his cluster patients hypothalamus I am not including that in the common thread - we simply do not know enough about this disease.

Cat

Title: Re: Questions and Curiosities
Post by Charlie on Feb 25^th, 2008, 9:43am

Like George, I got mine almost every fall in October and November. The beast usually made my March and April so much fun too. >:(

Here is the technique that worked well for me:

Dr. Wright’s Circulatory Technique:

I am not sure what mechanism is triggered by this but whatever it is, at least indirectly helps kill the pain. I do know that this technique has nothing to do with meditation, relaxation, or psychic ability. It is entirely physical and takes some work. It involves concentrating on trying to redirect a little circulation to the arms, hands, or legs. Think of feeling your pulse in your hand. Increased circulation will result in a reddening and warming of the hands. The important and difficult part is that it has to be done without interruption through the pain. Do not give up in frustration. It may not work on the first try. Try experimenting between attacks. You will find that it gets easier with practice. Every now and then it will work almost immediately. I lived for those moments.

I was given less than five minutes instruction in the use of method. The doctor, while placing his arm on his desk, showed me that he could slightly increase his arm and hand circulation. After several attempts, I was able to repeat this procedure and use it successfully. I have had about a 75% success rate shortening these attacks. My 20 minute attacks were often reduced to 10 minutes or less. Once proven that I had a chance to effectively deal with this horror, I always gave it a try as I had nothing to lose but pain.

I used to try to imagine I was pushing blood away from my neck into my arm. Use your imagination. There is one man who wrote that his standing barefoot on a concrete floor shortened his attacks. This may be similar as it draws some circulation away from the head. Cold water, exercise, or anything affecting circulation, seems to be worth a try. My suggestion is to not let up immediately when the pain goes. Waiting a minute is probably a good idea. So long as you do not slack off, this has a chance of working.

This technique is very useful while waiting for medication to take effect or when none is available. It costs nothing, is non-invasive, and can be used just about anywhere. It is not a miracle but it helped me deal with this horror. It can be a bit exhausting but the success rate was good enough for me and a cluster headache sufferer will do just about anything to end the pain. It gives us a fighting chance.

Charlie

Title: Re: Questions and Curiosities
Post by DonnaH_again on Feb 25^th, 2008, 10:33pm

I know that we did a survey on this several years ago. I kind of think it's on the OUCH site along with a survey on meds.

I'm going to try to find it now.

Title: Re: Questions and Curiosities
Post by thebbz on Feb 25^th, 2008, 10:39pm

Summer and winter solstice. 30 days on either side of em. Sometimes one thrown in between to keep ya guessin.
:-/
thebb

Title: Re: Questions and Curiosities
Post by valleyboy on Feb 26^th, 2008, 7:45pm

So the fact that alot of people get clusters in summer and winter and spring and fall doesn't mean much other than your gonna get them some time during the year, in between remissions of course. Ain't that a bummer!

Title: Re: Questions and Curiosities
Post by Paul98 on Feb 26^th, 2008, 7:50pm

If I remember correctly, fall and spring seem to be the most predominant. One thing about the Beast you can carve in stone is that you cannot predict anything. Mine used to be like clockwork in the spring. Not they can come anytime of the year.

-P.