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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> How do you tell when cycles are ending?
        
(Message started by: Argonaut on May 7^th, 2008, 11:52pm)

Title: How do you tell when cycles are ending?
Post by Argonaut on May 7^th, 2008, 11:52pm

Apologies if this sounds like a silly question, but how do you know when your headache cycle is ending or starting?

I can't work out if I'm going towards the end of a cycle or if I'm starting another. It wasn't a huge deal when I was unmedicated but now that I am, I think I have to adjust the amount of meds I take accordingly. Admittedly, I've been very bad with keeping records of my headaches in the past, which does not help!

Here's a brief run-down of my latest 'cycle':

It started around the end of March, with persistent KIP 3-4 shadows through the majority of my waking day, then escalating to about at least 1 KIP 8-9 headache a day. The most intense part lasted for most of April.

From around the 24th April, I've gone down to having to the persistent KIP 3-4 shadows, but the past two nights, I've been hit with 7s and the shadows are more persistent.

Does it sound like the end of a cycle, or the beginning of another? Anyone else had cycles like these?

Title: Re: How do you tell when cycles are ending?
Post by Linda_Howell on May 8^th, 2008, 12:17am

I think a lot of episodics will tell you their cycles go out with a bang. Meaning they get worse before they stop.

Until the next time. months...even years down the road.

Being chronic I am just telling you what other episodics have said

I can only hope that this is exactly what is happening to you and pray that you will please stick around here after your cycle ends.

Linda

Title: Re: How do you tell when cycles are ending?
Post by George_J on May 8^th, 2008, 2:18am

...and some episodics will tell you they go out with a whimper. ;)

Mine invariably get weaker and weaker and farther and farther apart until they disappear altogether.

So--no way to tell for sure that the cycle is ending. But this is how to get through them: One day at a time, one hit at a time. Sooner or later it ends. Get hit--live anyway. ;)

All the best,

George

Title: Re: How do you tell when cycles are ending?
Post by Paige_H. on May 8^th, 2008, 8:46am

I haven't posted here in years. But being episodic, my concern was always when does it end. I've noticed that I start out with one HA every other night for a week, then for at least the next 4 weeks I'm hammered with 2-4 every night or I get one KIP 8-9 instead every night. Then all of the sudden I won't have any for a night or two, get a few small ones and then "poof". Of course being episodic, my greatest fear is turning chronic. Most of my cycles last about 6 weeks. I had better be at the end of this one.

Title: Re: How do you tell when cycles are ending?
Post by Barry_T_Coles on May 8^th, 2008, 9:33am

[quote author=George_J link=board=chspecific;num=1210218760;start=0#2 date=05/08/08 at 02:18:50 Sooner or later it ends. Get hit--live anyway. ;)
All the best,

George[/quote]

Exactakally

When it happens it will, no point in loosing sleep over it & good to see you still around.

Cheers my friend
Barry

Title: Re: How do you tell when cycles are ending?
Post by Jean on May 8^th, 2008, 9:36am

Mine slow down at the end too. I am also episodic.

Hang in there.

Jeannie

Title: Re: How do you tell when cycles are ending?
Post by mezza on May 8^th, 2008, 10:03pm

I do believe that everyone is different in terms of cycle duration and characteristics. I have read so many posts where the end of the cycle is characterized by a terrible night or two of ha's high on the kip scale. I've been sorta waiting for that myself.

However, my cycle is over now and i haven't had a shadow or ha in two weeks. Really since starting the verapamil all i've had are a shadow here and there and maybe two kip 4-5's-

So i guess mine go out with a whimper! This cycle lasted 8 weeks . Last two cycles lasted 1-2 weeks but were killed with preds only ( got lucky I guess)

So what the others said just take it day by day and enjoy every pain free moment you get!! :)

kelly

Title: Re: How do you tell when cycles are ending?
Post by AussieBrian on May 9^th, 2008, 12:34am

You'll know they're ending when we start doing the happy dance for you.

Hey, I hear music!!

Title: Re: How do you tell when cycles are ending?
Post by Argonaut on May 12^th, 2008, 6:08am

Thanks guys, the headaches seemed to have slowed down - so I'll enjoy it while it lasts.

I'm not sure if I'm chronic or episodic because the longest break I've had is about a month. The definition between chronic and episodic confuses me but I guess having those breaks still makes me episodic?