Posted by Brian W on September 22, 1998 at 07:53:38:
In Reply to: Do you have shadows after episode? posted by Jackie on September 21, 1998 at 10:38:38:
Hi All,
How timely. I have a shadow now. Watery eye, stuffed ear, some swelling but no pain. I can identify the offensive blood vessel in the head that would normally be the lava pipe during a cluster. Currently am only light sensitive.
My last episode was 2 years ago and i used no drugs at that time so i can't see a link between the shadow and any particular treatment. The shadow seems to be a small fraction of a cluster and indicates that the cluster mechanism (whatever that is) is still there, barely funtioning, but lurking and ready to launch if i give it an excuse.
I use the shadow as a monitoring tool for any possible triggers for cluster. I have learned to avoid Chinese Food, alcohol, and excess caffeine. I feel that any big change in my daily personal routine might bring on the bigger monster and it's nice to have a monitoring system built in to observe. If my shadow gets particularly strong at any time, i look back at what is different in the past 24 hours and usually find a cause.
My wife has stopped asking,"Are you having a headache?" From across the room it presents the same as the beginning of the cluster.
One recent observation that i have made is that while my shadows are getting stronger lately i have notice a 'blushing' or 'flushing' feeling of my feet. A surge of circulation perhaps.. so i put my feet up for awhile and everything seems to even out. The shadow diminishes and life goes on.
Enjoy the shadows, it ain't pain!! Painfree days a'head to all, Brian W