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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> What's the "average" for episodic events
        
(Message started by: Mybelle on Mar 31^st, 2008, 3:42pm)

Title: What's the "average" for episodic events
Post by Mybelle on Mar 31^st, 2008, 3:42pm

Just as a measuring stick to go by - how long have your episodes lasted? and did they taper off in duration and intensity? What are the chances that after almost 7 weeks it's over? We had 4 nights with the cocktails and uninterrupted sleep and in the morning upon awakening just one morning he had a kip2 and had coffee and it was gone and he's been fine for the last 3 days...... shadows here and there, and he's scared it will start a headache - which he hasn't has since last wednesday or thursday - but I've heard shadows are common even after a cycle is over.......

Title: Re: What's the "average" for episodic ev
Post by Jonny on Mar 31^st, 2008, 6:36pm

on 03/31/08 at 15:42:03, Mybelle wrote:

Just as a measuring stick to go by - how long have your episodes lasted?

My first cycle lasted 31 years, what a ride that was!!!

Title: Re: What's the "average" for episodic ev
Post by mezza on Mar 31^st, 2008, 7:10pm

my first cycle was 3 days ( 10 years ago) second cycle 4 years ago 1 week because prednisone taper stopped it. This time has been 4 weeks so far- but preds didnt stop it- On verap now and still have weak shadows but no real hits since friday

Sounds like your hubby is getting some rest! Probably more hopeful too - Hope the cycle is over!

Title: Re: What's the "average" for episodic ev
Post by DennisM1045 on Mar 31^st, 2008, 7:18pm

Cycles are all different. Mine never start the same, end the same or last the same amount of time. The only thing that appears to be consistent is two periods per year of high activity. Other than that all bets are off.

I hope it is the end of his cycle. But just tell him to enjoy the PF time and try not to think about it. He'll know if he's out of the woods soon enough.

Wishing you both PFDAN!

-Dennis-

Title: Re: What's the "average" for episodic ev
Post by kevmd on Mar 31^st, 2008, 8:29pm

To me it sounds like its ending. mine just ended the same way. One week of shadows with 1 or 2 kip 3's. The day is not over yet but this could be my first day withou even a shadow. My last full blown CH was on Easter, 8 days ago

Title: Re: What's the "average" for episodic ev
Post by George_J on Mar 31^st, 2008, 10:26pm

Mine are very consistent--almost always 6 to 8 weeks in length.

Lots of variation out there, though.

Best wishes,

George

Title: Re: What's the "average" for episodic ev
Post by Guiseppi on Mar 31^st, 2008, 10:27pm

For the first 20 years you could set your watch by my cycles, last 10 years they are all over the board. Help him learn to enjoy the pain free time, and always be ready to do battle. Thanks again for riding the board for him!

Guiseppi

Title: Re: What's the "average" for episodic ev
Post by brewcrew on Apr 1^st, 2008, 12:08am

5 weeks, 4 days, 13 hours, 47 minutes, 19 seconds.

You can slap me now cuz I'm being a smartass.

Title: Re: What's the "average" for episodic ev
Post by Mybelle on Apr 1^st, 2008, 12:40am

Consider yourself slapped!!!! I'm new here...just trying to get some encouraging info!!! PFDAN to you all even Brewcrew

Title: Re: What's the "average" for episodic ev
Post by brewcrew on Apr 1^st, 2008, 12:52am

Well, some of my cluster periods have been as short as 4 weeks. I've also had two periods that lasted about 18 months, which meant that I was chronic during those times. I'm back to being episodic, but I've stopped keeping track of how long they last. I suppose I could reconstruct them from my journal, but alas, I'm too lazy.

Title: Re: What's the "average" for episodic ev
Post by Qazpur on Apr 1^st, 2008, 4:48am

on 03/31/08 at 22:26:35, George_J wrote:

Mine are very consistent--almost always 6 to 8 weeks in length.

same here, always 6 - 8 wks. yesterday first day in 6 weeks no need for intervention, here comes the sun...

Title: Re: What's the "average" for episodic ev
Post by seasonalboomer on Apr 1^st, 2008, 5:08am

I used to be able to practically schedule my vacations around them. Not so anymore. One thing that is certain, whenever they come is the wrong time.

I've had them last a few weeks and some last a couple months. I've rationalized that I prefer the inconsistency as it means that any present cycle could end at any time, as opposed to having to wait out 8 weeks for sure.

:)

Scott

Title: Re: What's the "average" for episodic ev
Post by barry_sword on Apr 1^st, 2008, 7:05am

My cycle's usually run for about 2 years then I get a one year break from them. This cycle was a little shorter than some of the other one's in the past.
Shadows are there most days to remind me not to let my guard down.

Title: Re: What's the "average" for episodic ev
Post by Trooper on Apr 1^st, 2008, 6:59pm

For the first 12 yrs. mine were kinda all over the place. Seemed lack of sleep and stress could trigger them. Sometimes I could go 18 to 24 mos. without one at all. As the years went on they started coming every fall and spring for a couple of weeks max. Over the last 5 years they primarily come only in spring or early summer. They now last between 2-4 mos. I usually start out with a few shadows and get hit every couple of nights. Then I go for a good 30 days of being hit every night with K-8+ then they slow down again.

Based on how my cycles are, it sounds like his cycle is breaking. We are all different but I hope in this case we are the same! :)

Title: Re: What's the "average" for episodic ev
Post by pattik on Apr 1^st, 2008, 7:06pm

I'm one of those who's episodes have been fairly consistant (although not as precise as brewcrew's) ;)

They usually last 6 to 7 weeks, and things taper off during the last two weeks or so. It might help for him to keep a headache diary of some sort, so that he can compare his current episode to previous ones. If he sees pattens happening, at least he will have a written history to make comparisons.

Pat

Title: Re: What's the "average" for episodic ev
Post by coach_bill on Apr 1^st, 2008, 8:28pm

hello, mine last anywhere from 8-10 weeks, but my last one just didnt wanna leave and scared the hell out of me, it lasted about 3 1/2 months. thanks coach bill

Title: Re: What's the "average" for episodic ev
Post by StressFree on Apr 2^nd, 2008, 3:08pm

Hopefully they are gone. It sounds like it. I started chronic as a teenager, once a day like clockwork. Chronic attacks broken in early 20's with headache specialist & verapamil. The verapamil didn't seem to work very well once I was episodic. 6 to 8 week cycles now. Seems like I get a longer break between each cycle, but extremely bad cycles - multiple hits each day and night - with mostly KIP10s the last couple of weeks of a cycle - then shadows for a few days and all clear. I've had up to 7 years between episodes. They may be gone for good now, but I'm always in fear of the unexpected return. Best of luck and prayers for you, Rich

Title: Re: What's the "average" for episodic ev
Post by Becky on Apr 2^nd, 2008, 4:53pm

Mine usually last about 6 weeks, but I will get them in between for a couple of days if I get stressed or tired.

Title: Re: What's the "average" for episodic ev
Post by marlinsfan on Apr 2^nd, 2008, 10:47pm

4 weeks to 3 months. Never really have an average cycle. The last one ended like the one you're describing, though after a few days of only shadows, I got hit with a doozy K8 in the middle of the day (my hits are almost exclusively while I sleep, unless I eat/drink something that triggers it).

If he's brave or dumb, he can try the beer or wine test. Have a drink, if he gets hit, it ain't over ::)

Title: Re: What's the "average" for episodic ev
Post by MJ on Apr 2^nd, 2008, 11:52pm

Shortest cycles 4 months, longest ones 3 years. Least amounts of hits in a 24 hr period 8, average hit 1-2 hrs
lowest pain level rare 9 usually 10, 33 or so years in and out of cycles.

Life is grand between the hits and even in the hits knowing you get to whup another one. Its like talking face to face with God while kicking the devils ass whilst his minions are pouring hot lava on me and twisting all 3 prongs of his forked staff in the side of my head, while I swing the devil around by the fork of his tail thats stuck in my temple like a shark hook trying to tear its way out but driving ever deeper.

Then its over.
Averages: Me 59,600 knockouts, Devil zero.
Oops got carried awaaay.

2 years 2 months now I've kept that devil away.

Title: Re: What's the "average" for episodic ev
Post by Judge_Smails on Apr 3^rd, 2008, 4:11pm

My "cycle" didn't really emerge until about 14 years ago. Prior to that I just got random hits.

My cycles have been pretty consistent for the last 14 years: around 2-5 hits every day lasting about 5 weeks every 1.5 years.

Title: Re: What's the "average" for episodic ev
Post by Beastfodder on Apr 4^th, 2008, 11:22am

Pre-diagnosis and meds - 10 to 12 weeks.

With clusterbusters the cycles since then haven't lasted more than four pretty gentle weeks and even forgot all about last Autumn for the first time in about 10 years!

Title: Re: What's the "average" for episodic ev
Post by mudplugga on Apr 4^th, 2008, 7:07pm

This one has lasted 8 weeks, and I'm just about certain it's gone - until the next time ::)

I was chronic for over 20 years and for the last 10 years I seem to be getting clusters every other year.

I actually feel that they have gone today, I feel different in every way. This morning I slept in until lunchtime, I can taste my food again, I feel ok. And that's something I have never noticed before, I never realised that the clusters made me feel so bad in so many different ways.

I hope this day comes for you very soon, take care.

Title: Re: What's the "average" for episodic ev
Post by Barry_T_Coles on Apr 6^th, 2008, 8:52pm

First one when episodic 13 weeks.
Went chronic on the next one 2 years without a break.
Started taurine/ magnesium in April 06 & got a 261 day break from Oct 06 to July 07.
Hit a high cycle in June 07 & went for 50 days.
Currently 241 days PF.

How long’s a cycle “Who Knows”

Barry