Hello everyone, first of all I would like to introduce myself, my name is Adam, I am 30 years old, I first starting having CH 11 years ago and was diagnosed c.5 years ago. I have been reading the boards for some time and find the information very helpful and sometimes entertaining. This is the first time I have posted. Since I was diagnosed I have been lucky as my neurologist has prescribed verapamil and as much injectable imigran/imitrex as I need. I know I don't suffer anywhere near as badly as some of the regular posters on here but I also know that what I do suffer with affects my life significantly. I am currently in my 3rd week of this cycle and have just noticed (or more really had pointed out to me) a worrying aspect of my behaviour, I become quite irrational, sensitive, moody and grumpy/angry hours before a CH kicks in, it's not a conscious thing because as I said, it is something that has been pointed out to me rather than something I am aware of doing. Thankfully I usually only suffer from 1 or two CH in any given day during a cycle. I was wondering if anyone else has this experience? Thanks for your time folks, any input would be appreciated!

Rather uncommon for this question to hit our board but it's an experience which has, at least, been recognized.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2001 Feb;5(1):55-9. 


Premonitory symptoms in cluster headache.

Raimondi E.

Catedra de Neurologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, 9 de Julio 3826, Rosario 2002 PKP, Argentina. raimondi@cablenet.com.ar

Cluster headache is one of the most excruciating headaches affecting human beings--especially the male sex. Most of the cluster headache cases are of episodic nature, with active cluster periods lasting generally between a few weeks and 2 or 3 months. A still undetermined percentage of patients report nonpainful sensations preceding the onset of the pain attack for a variable period of time. If occurring only a few minutes or a few hours before the onset of pain, such symptoms are called prodromal. When occurring for several days, weeks, or months before the pain, they are termed premonitory symptoms. The author believes that premonitory symptoms have not been properly diagnosed and emphasizes the need to investigate their presence, because by knowing them advances can be made in the understanding of the physiopathology of this particular cephalalgia. Furthermore, it can also allow the physician to be ahead, by giving preventive treatment and stopping or diminishing the intensity and duration of the pain attacks.

Publication Types:
Review

PMID: 11252138 
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I suspect that, at some pre-conscious level, you are aware of these signals and that they arouse an increasing level of anxiety which is expressed in the stuff other folks report to you. Psychologists refer to this pattern as "anticipatory anxiety"--arousal before the actual feared event shows itself.

Read over the brief article that follows with the goal of working to reduce the negative expectations which are starting to become aroused. Sort of a "anticipatory calming". This approach has been well studied and it's quite effective. It does require patience and consistent self-training but the effort is reinforced as you experience the positive benefit, relief from fearful expectation.

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Quote:

and have just noticed (or more really had pointed out to me) a worrying aspect of my behaviour, I become quite irrational, sensitive, moody and grumpy/angry hours before a CH kicks in,

Adam,  being chronic for over 25 yrs.  I can't say I've ever experienced what you're talking about.  Cranky and bitchy DURING...oh yeah.   Even afterwards for a while.  But hours BEFORE?  No.   Maybe you are among a rare percentage who get this way.  I don't know, but it isn't significent in my opinion.   :)

Bob,

Thanks so much for the research and essay, I found both very interesting and thanks for taking the time to send them to me, the prodromal aspect of cluster mentioned in the research appears to possibly explain what I experience, I suppose I need to be more conscious of this and try to account for it in everyday life! I intend to order the David Burns book asap for coping skills!
Thanks again.

Linda,

Thank you for your comment, I suppose the significance of any symptom is only really relevant to the individual experiencing that symptom, but thanks for pointing out that you don't believe my issue to be "significent"  :)

Adamk, I'm going to tread lightly here, because I don't want you to go away with what I suspect is a less than happy face feeling. Linda wasn't diminishing what you experience, rather she was saying that what you describe isn't "significant" to CHs. Bob may be on to something when he said you may be experiencing an anticipatory anxiety. Or then again, you may be tired from the 3 week cycle. Then again, it may be a part of your personality normally under control but you are weakened by your battle with the beast. At any rate, it would be worth exploring to discover when you may experience the same thing out of cycle. Hope this helps. blessings. lance

For what it's worth - I know that both my boss and my wife have commented on my being "touchy" since I started the Verapamil.  Another reason that I want to get off the meds sooner rather than later.

When I am in the middle of cycle - I am grouchy all the time because of the knowledge that another hit is going to come, that I would be in pain for at least awhile while deciding wether or not to use the prick, and at the peak was getting 3-4 hits a day (and most of mine are during the day).

Best of luck to you (oh - and I have noticed that the older I get the grouchier I get anyway....)