Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Hi, Newbie with a question ...
        
(Message started by: jdd on Mar 9^th, 2006, 2:54pm)

Title: Hi, Newbie with a question ...
Post by jdd on Mar 9^th, 2006, 2:54pm

Let me start with an apology for starting a new thread. I'm not sure where to post.

I have been an episodic CH sufferer for about twenty years now and not very happy about it (obviously). I'm usually in cycle for about 2-3 months, then in remission for about a year. It appears that I just started the dreaded cycle again.

Anyway, I just had a few questions (and I'm sorry if it's been discussed already):

(1) I recall the last time I went into cycle was right after I suffered from the cold or flu. I'm just getting over a 24-hour stomach flu and I got a visit last night from CH man telling me that he's back. It wasn't bad ... just lasted about 5-10 minutes and I'd say it was a Kip 2. But this is how it started the last time. Anyway, the question is, do any of your cycles start after a flu (to the episodic sufferers out there)?

(2) I've been reading a bit about this Kudzu and I have some to try. Has anyone tried the Kudzu before they were in full cycle and have averted the attacks completely? I'm wondering if I should try the Zu now, instead of waiting to be certain that I am in fact going into cycle.

(3) When you are in cycle, do you feel fatigued all the time? I try to exercise regularly during remission, and I get into decent shape. But then I get this feeling of constant fatigue and I suspect the cycle may begin. Also, heavy exercise seems to be a trigger for CH. Is this common?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

Title: Re: Hi, Newbie with a question ...
Post by seasonalboomer on Mar 9^th, 2006, 3:13pm

on 03/09/06 at 14:54:43, jdd wrote:

Let me start with an apology for starting a new thread. I'm not sure where to post.
....
Anyway, I just had a few questions (and I'm sorry if it's been discussed already):

(1) I recall the last time I went into cycle was right after I suffered from the cold or flu. I'm just getting over a 24-hour stomach flu and I got a visit last night from CH man telling me that he's back. It wasn't bad ... just lasted about 5-10 minutes and I'd say it was a Kip 2. But this is how it started the last time. Anyway, the question is, do any of your cycles start after a flu (to the episodic sufferers out there)?

(2) I've been reading a bit about this Kudzu and I have some to try. Has anyone tried the Kudzu before they were in full cycle and have averted the attacks completely? I'm wondering if I should try the Zu now, instead of waiting to be certain that I am in fact going into cycle.

(3) When you are in cycle, do you feel fatigued all the time? I try to exercise regularly during remission, and I get into decent shape. But then I get this feeling of constant fatigue and I suspect the cycle may begin. Also, heavy exercise seems to be a trigger for CH. Is this common?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

First of all, no apologies necessary.

1.) You will likely find some that have had this coincidental onset of clusters with an illness, or for others, after an operation, or others even have tried to link their coincidence with sunspots. There may be something to it, there may be not. It may or may not be worth finding the answer. Most importantly, understanding that a cycle has begun will help you prepare for the fight.

2.) I have had success with Kudzu. I don't like to take anything, whether it is "natural" or not if I don't have to. My cycles begin pretty clearly so at the first hint (for the past 2 cycles) I have started with the Kudzu regime. I still experience the cycle. The hits are fewer and far less severe when they hit. That is part of "managing" clusters. No cures, just help managing and fighting.

3.) Yes, I often feel fatigued during a cluster cycle. It is emotionally tiring dealing with the anxiety associated with actual hits and the concern of getting hit. Let alone, what I believe to be dealing with a goofed up body clock trying to get back in whack.

It is common for heavy cardio exercise to trigger cluster hits among some of us. I am amongst those that get hit if I do heavy cardio for more than about 25 minutes. The crazy thing is that for some sufferers, heavy cardio exercise aborts their hits. Go figure! So, yes, getting motivated to exercise when in cycle for me is extra difficult.

Hope this helps.

By the way. Welcome.

Scott

Title: Re: Hi, Newbie with a question ...
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Mar 9^th, 2006, 8:06pm

Ditto to Scott on everything but the Kudzu - since I haven't yet had to try it.

You might find the answer by reading your way down through the Kudzu threads - pretty long, but most likely will answer your question.

Yes, yes, yes, to fatigue - and depression as well. Or perhaps the fatigue comes from the depression.

Hang in there, and remember ... there are NO dumb questions when it comes to things like cluster headaches.

Hugs,

Kris

Title: Re: Hi, Newbie with a question ...
Post by Beastfodder on Mar 9^th, 2006, 8:47pm

Scott

There's nothing unusual about any of your questions.

Fatigue's a bugger and colds/sinus things linked somewhere along the line for my episodic CH at least once upon a time.

Lots of good things been written about kudzu tho' haven't tried it yet. Non-rebreather O2 is good for me and if the Kudzu don't work there are plenty of sensible alternatives that might.

All the best

Title: Re: Hi, Newbie with a question ...
Post by Karla on Mar 9^th, 2006, 10:43pm

I am chronic but i get hit more often and more intense when the flu is around. I hope you feel better real soon.

Title: Re: Hi, Newbie with a question ...
Post by jdd on Mar 10^th, 2006, 11:16am

Thanks everyone for the welcome and your responses.

Let me just clarify a couple of things. I am uncertain right now whether I have entered the beginning of the cycle - I actually feel pretty good right now. The physical fatigue comes on me before I enter a cycle. It's like a warning that the cycle is coming. I just don't seem to have any energy and sometimes feel a little dizzy.

So I was wondering, given my uncertainty as to whether or not I began a new cycle, is it worth going on the Kudzu to try to avert the cycle (or at least lessen its effect). If I'm not in cycle, I wonder what effect the Kudzu will have. I realize nobody will know the answer.

You know it really is unfair that people on this board have to suffer so much. I'm just an episodic sufferer and I don't understand how the chronics handle it. I am so saddend when I hear about a 4 or 5 year old who suffer from this. May God bring healing to them, and to you all.

Thanks for reading. I wish for pain free days for all.

Title: Re: Hi, Newbie with a question ...
Post by nani on Mar 10^th, 2006, 11:23am

on 03/10/06 at 11:16:29, jdd wrote:

So I was wondering, given my uncertainty as to whether or not I began a new cycle, is it worth going on the Kudzu to try to avert the cycle (or at least lessen its effect). If I'm not in cycle, I wonder what effect the Kudzu will have. I realize nobody will know the answer.

You're right, we really don't know. :-/
If your blood pressure is normal, it likely won't have any effect at all. Kudzu will not stop a cycle, but it will likely make it easier to deal with. I guess it's really up to you. If you start kudzu and don't start a cycle... was it the kudzu or was it no cycle? Personally, I'm one of those freaky "wait and see" types. Sometimes I will even "not" try to abort a hit, just to see if the duration is changing.
pain free wishes, nani