Posted by Margi (207.148.142.187) on October 06, 1999 at 18:05:54:
In Reply to: Case Histories/Bios - an Idea posted by Jack Boyd on October 06, 1999 at 17:44:11:
OK, here's Mike's bio/history with CH.
First bout at 20 years of age - episodic for the last 22 years.
Cycle 6-8 weeks long. Middle 3 or 4 weeks the most intense. I have seen him have as many as 8 attacks per day at the peak of the cycle.
Alcohol is principal trigger and sleep would be the secondary one and in the middle of a cycle will get attacks durng the day
Time between bouts has grown steadily from 6 months to his last remission of 18 months. Currently in remission after 12 months, 6 days but looking like another cycle is about to hit.
Has tried Fiorinal, Sansert, Toradol, Demerol, Imitrex. There may be more that he tried in the 70's but, who remembers the 70's right? Built up immunity to Imitrex very quickly and caused nasty side effects for him. Has found relief with Oxygen and Water Treatment.
Otherwise good health. Very fit and active.
Other comments of how my clusters have changed over time:
A sign that a cycle is starting is a middle of the night attack that isn't strong enough to wake him but he tosses and turns and rubs his head in his sleep - also rocks his head more when coming into a cycle. Definite semi-permanent Horton's Syndrome since the end of the last cycle, which was the worst yet - perhaps because it came after his longest ever remission? Lately, I've noticed Horton's syndrome in both eyes - never seen that before, usually only his left. This just happened for one day, it's back to being just the left one now.
A cycle is usually preceded by the onset of an upper respiratory infection or cold. Fall or spring peak cycle-inducing seasons. Exhibits definitely allergy symptoms to pollens, moulds, animal dander when in cycle, but not when in remission.
Good for you, Jack. Great idea
Margi