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 >> Longest cycle yet
        
(Message started by: mdorr on Jan 2^nd, 2007, 7:43pm)

Title: Longest cycle yet
Post by mdorr on Jan 2^nd, 2007, 7:43pm

I have been cursed now for over a decade (I am 34) but have only been getting real help for 3 years. I go to the Jefferson Headache in Philadelpia. They have been great, but ever since I have gone my cycles seem to last for sometimes 4 months rather than 1-2 months with just oxygen and severe suffering. The attacks are milder, but a seven rather than a ten still ruins me.

Has anyone else had this experienc once thy got treatment? I hate to say it, but I liked the 1-2 months of pure hell that gave me attacks that you could set a clock to rather than this 4 month of unpredictable milder hell.

Zomig
Verapamil

Thanks
Matt

Title: Re: Longest cycle yet
Post by Guiseppi on Jan 2^nd, 2007, 8:47pm

This was the first time I tried imitrex. My normal; cycle went from 3 to 8 months. As with everything else about these things it's dificult to pin down cause and affect cuz they morph so damned often!!!!! I have seen several posts recently from others who felt imitrex extended their cycles, I won't give it up cuz it stopped me from ever reaching a 10 last cycle.

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Longest cycle yet
Post by karma on Jan 3^rd, 2007, 7:24am

Matt,
Read the thread in this section titled "mushroom advice - please"
Some people swear by Verpamil and triptans though.

Title: Re: Longest cycle yet
Post by gonz2112 on Jan 3^rd, 2007, 11:28am

Matt,
I have been episodic since 1986. In the beginning I would get 1 HA a day only in the morning and the cycles lasted 2-3 weeks and were 1 -2 years apart. Since then they have gradually increased to 2-4 hits a day at anytime and my last cycle lasted 4 months. The good news is that my cycles seem to be less frequent with my last one being over 3 years ago.

I started using Imitrex injections in 1993 and I have been on most all of the preventatives - inderal, lithium, prednisone, verapamil, sansert, depakote, and topamax. I have not noticed a link between any of the meds and the pattern of my cycles. They simply "morph" as someone has already posted.

This cycle I am not on a preventative and I'm trying to limit my use of Imitrex by using O2 and Red Bull as my first abortive. So far (6 weeks into it) I am down to 1 or 2 hits a day with a few pain free days mixed in.

This site has helped me realize that I can never know what to expect, but regardless I am not alone.

Mark

Title: Re: Longest cycle yet
Post by seasonalboomer on Jan 3^rd, 2007, 11:40am

Matt,

There are many who feel as though Imitrex and other pharma answers for CH have extended their cycles.

Imitrex, for me, is like Pandorra's box. Once I've tried it, there's no way I'm ont going to go to it when the O2 isn't working or in an emergency. I do only use it as my last line of defense however, or in those situations when time or location doesn't allow my other weapons to be used.

O2 is so effective for me that 80 percent plus of my hits are knocked completely out by O2. This leaves some that effectively are impaired by Red Bull and then the truly bad brainers that need to go to the injection. My last cycle I think I only used 1 injection over 4 weeks. And maybe 2 the previous cycle.

Whether it is a result of this limited use but I haven't seen my cycle length increase.

Scott

Title: Re: Longest cycle yet
Post by MorDog on Jan 3^rd, 2007, 5:48pm

on 01/03/07 at 11:28:45, gonz2112 wrote:

Same story for me. I am 35, been episodic since '91 or '92 getting one CH a day with the cycles lasting 1-3 weeks and 1 year apart. Last cycle before the current one I am in was 3 weeks long and almost 2 years ago. This current cycle is on its 5th week. Never had one last this long. Was getting hit every day with 1, 2, or 3 hits. Had 4 PF days a week ago and thought it was over then BAM, big hit, now I have a hit or two with a day or so PF. I use Imitrex nasal to abort some and others I just grin and bear it. Hopefully when/if this cycle ends I will get 2 or more years Cluster free!

Title: Re: Longest cycle yet
Post by BlueMeanie on Jan 3^rd, 2007, 7:52pm

I believe there is definately a correlation between stopping the body from naturally fixing itself using meds. Prevents seem to make your cycle last longer, and triptans gives you more CH's througout the cycle. (IMHO). Problem is, it's very difficult to go med free. Shrooms may be your best alternative. Good luck with whatever helps ya. Hope the cycle ends soon.

modified to distinguish between types of meds. :-/

Title: Re: Longest cycle yet
Post by MikeE on Jan 3^rd, 2007, 8:54pm

You described me to a T. The more drugs I try, and I have tried it all, the longer the cycles. Steriods being the worst, they almost always break the cycle but when tapering off they come back longer and harder. Varapimil has helped me more than it hurt I think. Shrooms gave me a nice long break the folks at clusterbuster.com know what they are talking about. My next move is RC seeds as they are much eaiser to obtain. Detox is going better than I feared. I didn't realize how much energy the drugs were stealing from me. Good luck

Title: Re: Longest cycle yet
Post by mdorr on Jan 3^rd, 2007, 11:57pm

Thanks for all the responses. I have some clusterbuster help in my freezer but have been reluctant to try them. Maybe it is about time I buck up and just do it.

Thanks again