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        New Message Board Archives >> Jul-Sep 2003 >> Update & Question
        
(Message started by: Jewel on Aug 11^th, 2003, 7:33am)

Title: Update & Question
Post by Jewel on Aug 11^th, 2003, 7:33am

For the past couple nights, I've been waking up with cluster headaches. In the past, I've never had that happen before. It's horrible.

Also, I have a question for episodic suffers....what is the longest that a cycle can last? It's been about 3 months for me and this is by far the longest cycle I have had. Usually it's only about a month. I hope this passes soon. :(

Title: Re: Update & Question
Post by Jewel on Aug 11^th, 2003, 7:51am

Sorry...I'm freaking out here. Another question...Is there a possibility of a person with episodic clusters turning chronic????? Please tell me no.

Title: Re: Update & Question
Post by Hound_Dogg on Aug 11^th, 2003, 8:09am

I'm surprised you've never been woken up with Cluster's. ??? For me...I get one like clock-work...every night I'm in cycle. Usually about an hour or two after I fall asleep.

Sorry to say, but YES...you can go from episodic to chronic. But I've definitely had cycles go 4 months...so there's still hope.

For me, anyway...the longer the cycle, the longer the remission. So keep the shiny side up. 8)

Title: Re: Update & Question
Post by Jewel on Aug 11^th, 2003, 8:18am

Thanks!

I hope you're right about the remission.

Title: Re: Update & Question
Post by Jimi on Aug 11^th, 2003, 8:21am

The majority of episodics appear to be awaken from a deep sleep. Like Hound Dog said, usually 1-2 hours after they fall asleep. Some have found relief from that by taking an Amerge tablet before bed. It is a triptan like Imitrix only longer lasting. My last two cycles went nearly 6 mos. But I was in remission longer between cycles as well so that is the good news. The older I have gotten, the time in between have gotten longer. I am now in my 3rd year pf and holding my breath.
Hang in there, they are probably about over.

Title: Re: Update & Question
Post by Boots on Aug 11^th, 2003, 8:25am

ha's almost always wake me up,usually an hour and a half after i go to sleep,like an alarm clock.the rem sleep thing? i used to get a cycle every year in the fall,lasted for 6 weeks and this went on for 10 years,but starting in the early 90's cycle has been longer (5 months) but remission is anywhere from 2 years to 2 and 1/2 years....seems like after i started using imitrex the cycles were lasting longer,anyone else feel that way ?

Title: Re: Update & Question
Post by Jewel on Aug 11^th, 2003, 9:59am

I've been getting clusters for 8 years now and I never once woke up with one until Friday night. I hope this doesn't start happening all the time.

Title: Re: Update & Question
Post by JDH on Aug 11^th, 2003, 10:47am

My cycles usually last about 2 or 3 months but this past one lasted 6 months and that the longest one to date.
When a cycle is going on I usually get hit on a nightly basis. These are easily the worst h/a's to deal with because they're well under way by the time they wake me up.
I think you have a long way to go before you should worry about becoming chronic.
Hang in there, it'll pass.
pfdan's

Jim

Title: Re: Update & Question
Post by River_Rat on Aug 11^th, 2003, 11:09am

Jewel, If there's one thing I know about clusters is that for me anyway it's almost always different, for years I almost always woke up with bad CH 2-3 a night, and be pf most of the day, then they would switch around and I would have several during the day and sleep all night with a pounder comming first thing in the morning. At the really bad times I would have them day and night.

I think the meds where goofing them up.

Anyway, as far as cycles go...I've just ended a 5 week bout......I totally missed my cycle last year and the year before It only lasted 2-3 weeks...years prior usually lasted 6-8 weeks. I once went 3 years with nothing!

Ya just never know what to expect.

Amerge really worked for me this time 2.5mg am and 2.5mg pm

Good luck

LEE

Title: Re: Update & Question
Post by Jewel on Aug 11^th, 2003, 11:33am

I went almost 3 years in remission before this. It was great.

Title: Re: Update & Question
Post by stevegeebe on Aug 11^th, 2003, 11:55am

Jewel,
Like the Dogg said, I am surprised that this has not happened to you before. I use to dread the night and more so looking at the clock during my first nightly attack and realizing that it was no where near 6:00 and I could possibly have three more hits that night.

This time I've taken Frova before bed and have noticed attacks at night are less.

This year's cycle was the longest...3 months. Normally 6 to 8 weeks.

Steve G

Title: Re: Update & Question
Post by Jewel on Aug 11^th, 2003, 12:34pm

Normally, I'm 1 to 2 months (tops).

Title: Re: Update & Question
Post by jon69 on Aug 11^th, 2003, 12:40pm

Jewel, as you can see here waking in the night is not at all unusual. I've been episodic now for around 10 years, and during cycle never fail to wake every night about 1-2 hours after falling asleep. Have you tried oxygen? For me, this helps during the night. My cycles usually last around two months, but this varies from person to person. Are you on any meds? Imitrex always keeps my H/A in line, along with the oxygen and verapamil. The verapamil doesn't prevent my headaches, but it seems to make them less frequent.

Keep your chin up love, and know they will pass

John

Title: Re: Update & Question
Post by echo on Aug 11^th, 2003, 12:48pm

Hang in there. This too shall pass. Hope the SOB loses your address and goes into hiding very soon.

Title: Re: Update & Question
Post by BruceD on Aug 11^th, 2003, 1:01pm

Sorry for your pain Jewel. The longest for one of my cycles was the last one -- 5 months. (Sorry don't want to scare you) Normally mine are 2-3 months but the one last fall was an absolute killer. Like others have said, one to two hours after falling asleep is the time (however in the worst part of my cycles I'll have them during the day as well- doesn't seem to matter)

I'm sure hoping that it's not common for an episodic to go chronic. Since my cycle ended in late Jan. I've only had a couple of periods where I was completely PF ... infrequent hits otherwise.

Oh well, take care and give the O2 a shot if you can.

Later
BruceD

Title: Re: Update & Question
Post by Jewel on Aug 11^th, 2003, 1:10pm

Thank you everyone for all your support. I pray this cycle ends soon. It's been a bad 3 months.