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New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Length of Episode vs Length of HA
(Message started by: Sylvan on Nov 29th, 2004, 10:11am)

Title: Length of Episode vs Length of HA
Post by Sylvan on Nov 29th, 2004, 10:11am
I'm still very new to this as this is my first ever episode (optimistic aren't I?)

I was wondering if the frequency of attacks and the severity of the attacks has a pattern within the episode?

For instance - these HA's started for me about 3 weeks ago. The first few were spaced about every other day and were very severe. (IMO 8-10 Kip) Then they came every night(still 8-10 Kip) the second week. The third week they were every 2-3 days and less severe (6-8)

For the past 3 nights i have been waking up with the over the eye pain at about 6-8 - but it's been going away in just a few minutes - like 2-5.

All of my HA's have been while sleeping (1:30 am for 90% of them) - just shadows during the day.

Does this mean the cycle is wearing down and it might be over soon - or am i grasping at straws? And how many PF days would you all consider as the end of a cycle?

EKG scheduled for 1:30 PM today (EST) and i have printed out jsut about everything i could find to help me convince my PCP to send me to a neuroligist and RX something that might actually help.

Thanks,
Sylvan

Title: Re: Length of Episode vs Length of HA
Post by unsolved1 on Nov 29th, 2004, 1:29pm
Epesodics usually do follow a pattern. After a couple of epesodes, you'll recognize a pattern, although the pattern could change at anytime.

My guess: 2 weeks of pain free - med free time means the end of a cycle. But the beast is highly unpredictable.

PF Wishes
Hope your cycle is ending

UNsolved

Title: Re: Length of Episode vs Length of HA
Post by Sylvan on Nov 29th, 2004, 10:34pm
Wouldn't that be the rub? lol

I finally got the verapamil and the referal to a neuro today - and it's *possoble* that my clycle is ending?

Could i get that lucky?

Although i can't say i've been completely PF - just not very bad or very long lasting pain. The shadows are pretty much always there. I'm just grateful that the middle of the night things have been brief.

Thanks!
Sylvan

Title: Re: Length of Episode vs Length of HA
Post by pubgirl on Nov 30th, 2004, 1:24pm
Sylvan

You say that these attacks are lasting 2-3 minutes. I can't make the history work and I have a brain like a sieve, how long do your normal attacks last?


Wendy

Title: Re: Length of Episode vs Length of HA
Post by Sylvan on Nov 30th, 2004, 3:26pm

on 11/30/04 at 13:24:55, pubgirl wrote:
You say that these attacks are lasting 2-3 minutes. I can't make the history work and I have a brain like a sieve, how long do your normal attacks last?


Hi Wendy:

I really don't know what *normal attacks* are for me just yet. I only started getting these out of the blue about 3-4 weeks ago. But the average length of HA's up until a few days ago was from 25-45 minutes. I had one or 2 that lasted almost an hour - and i've now had a couple that were more like quick jabs that subsided very quickly. I have not been without shadows except for 1 or 2 days for almost a month. Last night was the very first night i've slept through since this started.

Sylvan

Title: Re: Length of Episode vs Length of HA
Post by pubgirl on Nov 30th, 2004, 7:32pm
Sylvan

Have they tried you on indomethacin yet?

Wendy

Title: Re: Length of Episode vs Length of HA
Post by Sylvan on Nov 30th, 2004, 8:24pm

on 11/30/04 at 19:32:42, pubgirl wrote:
Sylvan

Have they tried you on indomethacin yet?

Wendy


Wendy:

Isn't that an NSAID used for arthritis/bursitis?

They just started me on verapamil yesterday.  This is the 3rd med we've tried - midrin and ultracet didn't do anything. And i had 3 hits the night i tried melatonin.

I also finally got a neuro appt set up - for next thursday.

I don't think we're gonna mess with any more different meds at least until then - unless things get worse. This week's been pretty good. Haven't had a major hit since Friday.

Thanks,
Sylvan

Title: Re: Length of Episode vs Length of HA
Post by pubgirl on Nov 30th, 2004, 9:27pm
It's the NSAID used for all the unilateral shorter-lived headaches, and is usually used as a diagnostic rule out treatment for any headache sufferer who has shorter attacks as it is almost 100% effective for all of them.

Wendy

Title: Re: Length of Episode vs Length of HA
Post by Sylvan on Nov 30th, 2004, 9:34pm
Thanks - i'll keep it in mind. Although all of the other NSAIDS had no effect. Not to mention - the side effects and warnings on it seem pretty daunting:

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/indometh_wcp.htm

We'll see what the neuro has to say.

I suppose for now i'll just be grateful that they are not lasting longer than an hour.

Sylvan



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