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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Shadowlands
        
(Message started by: Rosebuddy on Apr 3^rd, 2008, 12:04pm)

Title: Shadowlands
Post by Rosebuddy on Apr 3^rd, 2008, 12:04pm

I haven't had a bad CH in about a week now. I take Melatonin at night, which seems to work wonderfully (3 mg are plenty for me). However, I wake up every morning at about a Kip 3-4 which never really goes away. If I take about 25 mg of Imitrex I'm good for a few hours, but then it's back. Today I'm testing to see if it will get worse or, better yet, go away, if I don't take the Imitrex. This is a new thing for me - in the past, I have had the bad ones at night for 2-3 weeks, then every other night for about a week, then perfectly okay. I'm now on week 5 of this cycle, and like I said no longer have the biggies but can't get out of the shadowlands. When they were bad I would have been thrilled to be where I am now, but I'm getting greedy - I want to feel GOOD for a change! Any thoughts? Is the Imitrex causing this to linger do you think? [smiley=huh.gif]

Title: Re: Shadowlands
Post by Guiseppi on Apr 3^rd, 2008, 2:29pm

I used imitrex injectables for the first time last cycle and believe it may have extended my cycle. No concrete evidence, and the beast morphs so often I'm never really sure of anything!!!

You might try caffeine, either coffee or try the energy drinks which combine the caffeine and taurine, see if they'll knock the shadows down for you. I hear you, you don't like to whine about a shadow when it beats the hell out of a KIP 10, but constant shadows really grind you down. Hoping you're almost at the end!

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Shadowlands
Post by starlight on Apr 3^rd, 2008, 6:10pm

Rosebuddy,

The way the beast has mostly worked in my experience is that towards the end of a cycle when the night hits have diminished it keeps getting you in the AM on waking up. As far as imitrex, I have felt imitrex gives me some rebound hits but I don't use it much--I use it for hits that get past the O2. Could it extend a cycle? I don't know. My advice--wait it out for a week--the morning window is an easy window for the beast to enter, and then, usually it leaves. Try strong coffee in the morning--have a strong pot made the night before and then heat in microwave--drink it hot and strong--try to get away from using the imitrex in the AM if you can (my feeling is it may be giving you rebound hits in the AM after you use it). Pain free wishes--let us know how it goes.

Title: Re: Shadowlands
Post by Annette on Apr 3^rd, 2008, 7:00pm

Have you tried a red bull or strong coffee for that ? Imitrex can cause rebound because its such a powerful vasoconstrictor. Red bull, strong coffee, even green tea have been found to be effective for shadows without causing rebound.

Title: Re: Shadowlands
Post by Rosebuddy on Apr 3^rd, 2008, 7:14pm

Thanks everyone! I skipped the Imitrex this am, had a Rockstar (they were out of Red Bull at my store!) and did okay. I always drink lots of coffee. However, the shadow lingered and got progressively worse by 4 p.m. so I broke down and took Imitrex. Not working! I'm going to get a bag of ice and hope for a miracle. Thanks again for helping - I get so psyched when I see that someone has responded.

Title: Re: Shadowlands
Post by Batch on Apr 3^rd, 2008, 8:35pm

Rose,

A shadow is just another cluster headache attack that hasn't made the big league. A rose by another name....

I shoot all shadows with oxygen therapy. They are much easier to abort with oxygen and I can knock them down in much less time than a Kip-6 and avoid walking around with a black cloud over my head.

Take care,

V/R, Batch

Title: Re: Shadowlands
Post by CostaRicaKris on Apr 3^rd, 2008, 10:59pm

on 04/03/08 at 18:10:15, starlight wrote:

Rosebuddy,

As far as imitrex, I have felt imitrex gives me some rebound hits but I don't use it much--I use it for hits that get past the O2.

Ditto. At Kip 3/4 I start with O2 and Rockstars. If that doesn't work, I move on to Imitrex. Are you using O2? I didn't see you mention it.

You aren't being greedy. Constant shadows week after week really wear you down. I've been there myself lately.

Title: Re: Shadowlands
Post by Trooper on Apr 3^rd, 2008, 11:07pm

I get hit just about every morning when I wake up with a K5 or 6. This has been going on for about three weeks now. I don't think this is too bad considering I was getting hit every night while sleeping with a K8+. That was my episodic pattern for the last 5 years.

I have found that using 1000mg of Taurine with coffee will usually abort them within 20 mins. and keep the shadows at bay. I find it works better than the Red bull and energy drinks. I have had some problems though with low blood sugar and this combo first thing in the morning.

Title: Re: Shadowlands
Post by Rosebuddy on Apr 5^th, 2008, 8:34am

An update - I stopped the Imitrex, had an all-day 4 which was miserable, then took Melatonin and went to sleep. That was Thursday night. Friday was PF and I'm off to a PF morning today! I am FILLED with optimism. I have been slamming the Red Bulls at the first twinge, but I don't have oxygen so can't use that - good thing the Red Bull is working. I have to admit being somewhat self-conscious buying it, though - I don't think 53 year old women are their target group! Thanks so much to all of you for your insights. I am thinking I was getting rebounds from the Imitrex, and that my cycle may be about over.

Title: Re: Shadowlands
Post by CostaRicaKris on Apr 5^th, 2008, 10:45am

on 04/05/08 at 08:34:43, Rosebuddy wrote:

I don't think 53 year old women are their target group!

LOL. I never bought energy drinks, and I wouldn't if it wasn't for the CH - so I know what you mean. I'm glad you're feeling better.

PF wishs,
~Kris