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Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Getting to Know Ya >> Doomed! http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1349891950 Message started by Mark B on Oct 10th, 2012 at 1:59pm |
Title: Doomed! Post by Mark B on Oct 10th, 2012 at 1:59pm
Long time sufferer, but only recently diagnosed. I'm glad to see so many others out there pitching in but just wanted to clarify a few things:
I'm currently on my second cycle this year. The first was for 7 weeks in March/ April and I'm now about 5 weeks into my second (as of 10 October 2012). So am I chronic or episodic? This cycle started as usual at night with the first at 9pm, the next at 1am, then 3am and then 5am. However over the last few days I've also started to get 2 or 3 headaches per day. Therefore, as you say on the website that the cycles build in intensity to a peak before trailing off, can I tell myself that the worst is nearly over?? Also, you say that food, alcohol, smoking, strenuous exercise and sleep are the triggers during a cycle (what kind of ridiculous prank is this??!). As I'm a keen eater, an enthusiastic drinker, a lover of smoking and currently training for a marathon, would the correct prognosis be that I'm simply f$cked??!! Cheers, and keep up the good work. Mark. |
Title: Re: Doomed! Post by Mike NZ on Oct 10th, 2012 at 2:28pm
Hi Mark
Trying to answer your questions. Since you had a gap of more than a month between your two cycles this year you are episodic. However don't get stressed about the definition. It is just a definition, it doesn't really make any difference to what symptoms you get or the treatment. Different people have different endings to a cycle. For some it just fades away and for others it can build to a peak before abruptly stopping. Even for a given person it can vary. As for triggers, alcohol is pretty common for most but not all. It is more likely for those chronic to be still able to enjoy it without getting a hit. For other triggers there is a lot more variation, so it is all down to what triggers affect you. |
Title: Re: Doomed! Post by ttnolan on Oct 10th, 2012 at 6:20pm
If questioning triggers, it is usually a personal thing, different things for everyone. Alcohol is a very common one. I get real screamers if I even have a sip during high cycle, but can drink like a fish during remissions. Heat for long periods, or hot stuffy rooms are also triggers for me. Exercise... Some claim they can abort a hit by exercising hard, for others any exercise is a trigger. I would attempt it as an abort method if I lived somewhere where it got very cold outside, but without the cold element I would get nowhere. Between hits, I find exercise does not trigger (as long as I don't over do it) and makes me feel better overall.
Food is more complicated... Some have problems with aged or cured foods, dairy etc., but I find what I eat never effects my headaches. However, just letting myself get too hungry or too full will. It has more to do with body chemistry, getting really hungry then eating causes a rapid swing and pow. Or eating too much taxes the system and pow. And the general rule for me is, if I am not in cycle, I can do anything without worrying about triggers. I would suggest keeping a diary, that is always a good tool. |
Title: Re: Doomed! Post by Guiseppi on Oct 10th, 2012 at 9:12pm
Welcome to the board Mark, I'm the nosey guy!! ;D
Do you have an effective treatment regimen? Oxygen for aborting attacks, a decent prevent? Have you checked out the Batch Regimen, the vitamin supplements that are providing relief for so many? Want to make sure you're aware of the high percentage treatments. Glad you checked in. Joe |
Title: Re: Doomed! Post by Brew on Oct 11th, 2012 at 7:55am Quote:
Certainly enigmatic. |
Title: Re: Doomed! Post by Guiseppi on Oct 11th, 2012 at 9:21am
Enigmatic....Knucks for proper use of the word! ;)
Joe |
Title: Re: Doomed! Post by Mark B on Oct 12th, 2012 at 12:29am
Thanks for the replies! On treatments I'm currently not taking anything. I was only properly diagnosed in January and before that my biggest fear was that I wouldn't survive the next headache - I was sure they were a prelude to a stroke or an aneurysm. Now that I know that's not the case, I've found it easier to ride out the attacks. Removing possible death from the equation has led me to view the attacks as me vs them, each one a personal test that I have to overcome. It is mind games certainly, but strangely I get a sense of triumph every time!
I'm researching as much as I can but to be honest some of the treatments are fairly scary too! I'll certainly check out the batch treatment though (I'm living in the Middle East though and don't trust the generic drugs here so I'm on my own until I get back to civilisation). Enigmatic? Me?! Perhaps, but I thought training for the marathon would help me kick the smokes. I'm not completely there yet, but it's certainly helped me cut down. The beer has also been cut out, which is a plus when you're a thirsty Irishman. To say that I'm looking forward to a few pints of the black stuff after the Dublin marathon at the end of the month would be a serious understatement! |
Title: Re: Doomed! Post by ttnolan on Oct 12th, 2012 at 1:40pm
I was rereading your post and notice like many here you are one that gets night hits constantly while trying to sleep (at least the night you described anyway)...
Along with the vitamins, try ordering some melatonin and take 9-12mg about a half hour before going to bed. Like everything, it has varying degrees of success with people, but most find it at least helps. As far as cycle behavior... mine always started with night hits. Once the day hits start I know I am fully "in cycle". They also don't stop suddenly either. Once I get back to just night hits, I know the worst is over, and they will slowly reduce in frequency from there. But... they also have the tendency to change it up on you, just when you think you got it down. As for your feelings of triumph over the beast... you must be pretty tough. I went 8 years without oxygen... and tough or not, it gets real old. Now I take my triumphs by literally blowing away the beast with O2 in 5-10 minutes. 5-10 minutes is all I am willing to spend fecking around with this beast. Kind of like, do you want to fight hand to hand, or just pull out the shotgun and be done with it? |
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