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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Is it over for now?
        
(Message started by: jackieg on Feb 16^th, 2006, 11:02am)

Title: Is it over for now?
Post by jackieg on Feb 16^th, 2006, 11:02am

So after 19 years of this living on again off again hell, you think i would know when the end has come. On the 12th week (Monday) to the day I had a headbanging experience where I could not lift my head off of the pillow. (No CH) I passed out for 4 hours which felt like 5 minutes. No CH that night. Tuesday I had a similar headbanger but much less intense. (Maybe it was from watching Cinderella Man.. panful experience with lots of head punching.) No CH. Wednesday, and today, some shadows. No CH. I think they are gone... and I am still alive. Has anyone had this kind of ending? I tell people I think it is over... they say, That's nice. NO COMPASSION. When can I really be sure?

Title: Re: Is it over for now?
Post by FramCire on Feb 16^th, 2006, 11:33am

I was going to ask people who are episodic (or were) how their cycles usually end. My first one just ended one day out of the blue. Woke up without a HA and didn't have another for over a year.

Title: Re: Is it over for now?
Post by Chip80 on Feb 16^th, 2006, 11:47am

jackieg

I've been episodic for 20 years. My cycles start strong and usually tapper off over a 4-6 week period. At the end of the cycle I usually feel just a slight remaining pressure at the back of my sinus - nothing else.

My advice to you is not to dwell on when you think it will be over. I approach each new day fresh as if there will be no CH. If it comes I deal with it. I don't look for it or wait for it to hit. I'd rather focus on the things that make me happy then the ones that don't.

I wish you the best.

Title: Re: Is it over for now?
Post by E-Double on Feb 16^th, 2006, 11:59am

When I was episodic they just would end out of no where. I would sleep through the night and then poof gone until next cycle a few months later.

Listen to Chip! Good advice.
Just live and try not to fear what ifs

Title: Re: Is it over for now?
Post by JimLaff on Feb 16^th, 2006, 12:27pm

Jackieg - Most of the timeat the end of my cycle I will get what I call a grand finale attack which then fades away to a nasty headache which usually lasts for a day. During the cluster attack neither o2 nor imitrex will take it away and the headache that follows is usually controlled with a pain killer (perk, vik, etc). After about a day I am out of my cycle ;;but dreading the fact that in4-6 months next one will arrive >:(

Title: Re: Is it over for now?
Post by Guiseppi on Feb 16^th, 2006, 1:45pm

Almost 30 years of episodic, they come in slowly, then go out the same way. Enjoy the pain free days, those are the days YOU win!

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Is it over for now?
Post by llreed on Feb 16^th, 2006, 7:17pm

Hi Jackieg,
14 years of episcodec spells, last one start slow than stepped into high gear. The last week was the worse - ripping my head off or a bullet would have been nice. One night went to sleep - got 6 hours of beutiful rest and they haven't been back since. They are right take each PF day as it comes.
Wishing all the best PF,
llreed

[smiley=thumb.gif]

Title: Re: Is it over for now?
Post by imnotbub on Feb 17^th, 2006, 1:43pm

First couple of cycles started all at once then stopped all at once. Last one sputtered at the end. Get hit one day, missed a day, got hit one day, missed two days, got hit two days, finis. They're done when they're done. Wish it was more diffinitive.

Title: Re: Is it over for now?
Post by gardengal on Feb 24^th, 2006, 6:33pm

How will I know if they are gone when I am on Verapamil? I guess it won't be that hard because I still have some kind of HA @ day. I think the med. is prelonging cycle. I read about a girl who took 480 verapamil while on Vacation and she was able to party and had no pain at all then went back to reg. dose after vacation? Can you do that? I have always just suffered in the past but tried meds this time. I don't know if it is worth it.

Title: Taper Verapamil
Post by Richr8 on Feb 24^th, 2006, 6:54pm

I start at 480mg. At about 8-12 week into my cycle (about the usual duration) I start back off at 120mg at a time about every four days. If there is no recurrence, the cycle is over and I'm good until next season.

Hope this helps.

Rich

Title: Jackie,
Post by Richr8 on Feb 24^th, 2006, 6:57pm

My cycles usually end with a lessening in frequency and intensity of attacks and finally peter out as shadow events toward the end. Typically, my last full blown attack is a week or two before the shadowing ends.

rich

Title: Re: Is it over for now?
Post by Charlotte on Feb 28^th, 2006, 3:32pm

I hope yours is over. Try to relax and enjoy it and not worry about the next one.

Some of mine just end - with an awareness of no pain.

During other cycles, it seems like the preventative (Verapamil or Depacote or current med) actually trigger more pain but that is probably a coincidence.

Some cycles end with 3 to 5 days of pain level 8 to 10. After the long endings finish, I feel like I have returned from a trip or moved to a new neighborhood and have to make friends and get a life again.

I prefer the ones that just end.

Lately, my cycles are closer together - two to six weeks apart.