Went to the HA specialist today. I'm 2 weeks away from 12 months into this cycle, which pretty much makes me chronic. Luckily, the 600mg Lithium, 200mg Topo, the extra vit D (and now taking Potassium due to drop in that level from the Lithium/sodium issue) has caused my HA to go away. Although, even though it's "gone", it's still there, if you know what I mean. The doc wants me to go to a HA center, which I called today, in Philly (choice is either Philly, Jefferson, or NY, Roosevelt). Philly is closer to home, even though I work in NY. I know it's only a title on what this is, but it's a bit depressing to think it's evolving to this. 4 years ago, it was a 2 or 3 week thing that interrupted my life 2 times a year in the spring and fall.

I guess we'll see what comes in the next couple months.

[edit]Although, even though it's "gone", it's still there, if you know what I mean.[/edit]

Yeah, I know what you mean. When I'm in remission it's like a hole exists where something used to be. When I'm out of remission it's like a locked gate I can't get behind. Good luck at the clinic, Mike. Who knows, maybe something new and exciting will turn up for you? God bless. lance

Thanks Lance. Problem is, I'm not actually in remission. So, there's 3 stages to me. There's remission, which is no pain, no issues, I can drink a little, eat shellfish, bend over with no pain, etc. (which I haven't had for 1 year), there's full-blown pain, which I had for nearly a year now, 18 hours a day of pain, crests at 1:30AM, etc. then there's what I have now, which is a haze over the right side of my head, I know it's there, but no real pain, still cant' drink or else the pain returns, and have to stay on the meds or the pain returns, and the pain in under control but not in remission.

Mike, hate to hear you are 2 weeks away from getting the title of chronic. I'm right there with you. December 1 is one year for me. The good news is is this cluster has been the mildest I ever had since they started about 37 years ago.

Hey Mike,

There are a lot of other things in life a lot worse than joining some of us as another chronic cluster headache sufferer...

Have you gone in for a recent lab test for your 25(OH)D serum concentration?  If so...  what were the results?

As far as being chronic goes...  I still have the cluster headache disorder and contrary to the ICHD-2 criteria...  I'm still chronic...  all I need to do is stop taking the anti-inflammatory regimen with vitamin D3 and I'll get slammed big time.

Have you tried the low dose 81 mg/day enteric coated aspirin along with the anti-inflammatory regimen supplements?

Take care and please keep us posted,

V/R, Batch

Hey, batch, my 25D was 82.0.
Aspirin only helps those "mild" headaches I get during the day, like a tension headache. So far, the 600mg lithium and 200mg Topo is keeping the headache at bay, though it's right there below the surface, if you know what I mean. Problem is, it's affected my creatinine and potassium, so now I have to go off my diuretic for my blood pressure and also take 10meqs of potassium for a short term until potassium goes up. I'm going to a HA center in Philly in April (earliest appt.) and see what they want to do.