Until now I used to have the typical 8 weeks cycles which would come back after 20 months (had them for 15yrs). Now I am in it for 5 months already which is getting me worried. The lasts months I was reasonably in control with 360mg verapamil, O2 and immigran when necessary. But now it seems like I am getting more attacks and they are more and more severe. The O2 doesn't seem to help anymore with a severe attack and only brings it down to "almost gone" and if I rest again it kicks in heavily. Only immigran does seem to do the work but is a last resort for me.
The last days I have often pain in my head if I press on the right side of my skull and I have almost constant shadowing and I it almost like i can feel it moving around in my head.
Does anybody have an idea on how much biorythm related this is or in other words if I was to travel to different time zones in the globe might I be helping to break the cycle?
After 5 months I am sick and tired of it and I try to keep up the good spirit for family and work but it is not easy.
Has anybody ever been successfull breaking out of chronical by themselves and ofcourse I would like to know how?
Thanks for the great board, site and members!

Hmm I think Cluster Busting or Prednisone has potentials to bust cycle.

Thanks Matty, but what is cluster busting....?

Its use of hallucinogens like psylocybin or RC seeds in sub-hallucinogenic dose, many people with Cluster Headaches reported cessation of headaches long-term or decrease in severity and frequency of them.

pedropedro wrote on Sep 13^th, 2009 at 5:15am:

Until now I used to have the typical 8 weeks cycles which would come back after 20 months (had them for 15yrs). Now I am in it for 5 months already which is getting me worried. The lasts months I was reasonably in control with 360mg verapamil, O2 and immigran when necessary. But now it seems like I am getting more attacks and they are more and more severe. The O2 doesn't seem to help anymore with a severe attack and only brings it down to "almost gone" and if I rest again it kicks in heavily. Only immigran does seem to do the work but is a last resort for me. The last days I have often pain in my head if I press on the right side of my skull and I have almost constant shadowing and I it almost like i can feel it moving around in my head. Does anybody have an idea on how much biorythm related this is or in other words if I was to travel to different time zones in the globe might I be helping to break the cycle? After 5 months I am sick and tired of it and I try to keep up the good spirit for family and work but it is not easy. Has anybody ever been successfull breaking out of chronical by themselves and ofcourse I would like to know how? Thanks for the great board, site and members!

Apparently, cycles can change like that according the the folks on this site.  My cycles have also been for 8 weeks about once a year so far, like yours.  However, I have had cycles with more intense headaches that increased unusually and twice I have had 2 cycles back to back with only a month apart.  One of the times my blood pressure was high and my doctor said it was keeping me from recovering and he was correct because as soon as we got that down, they stopped.  This time, I have had a sinus/ear infection and it has seemed to have intensified my clusters and the number of hits I have had until I got an antibiotic.  The two times I had cycles back to back were when I took Prednisone and stopped it too soon (or didn't taper it slowly enough).  I would suggest trying to figure out if anything is different this time about your health or what you are doing.  Have you tried Zyprexa?  It worked for me this time and it can be taken with 02 and Verapamil.  Good luck to you!!!

Joni   :)      

Been chronic for years, no permanent way out that I know of, but hey if you find one, PLEASE LET US ALL KNOW.

JustNotRight wrote on Sep 13^th, 2009 at 5:17pm:

Been chronic for years, no permanent way out that I know of, but hey if you find one, PLEASE LET US ALL KNOW.

Ginger-

I cannot imagine being a chronic sufferer!!!  Bless your heart (and head)!  I am so sorry!!!

-Joni

Joni wrote on Sep 13^th, 2009 at 6:13pm:

JustNotRight wrote on Sep 13th, 2009 at 5:17pm: Been chronic for years, no permanent way out that I know of, but hey if you find one, PLEASE LET US ALL KNOW. Ginger- I cannot imagine being a chronic sufferer!!!  Bless your heart (and head)!  I am so sorry!!! -Joni

So it Was you who gave me the CH Beast ??!!   >:(
;D
Just kidding and not your fault sweetie but thanks for the heart felt words, they are appreciated.

MattyAA wrote on Sep 13^th, 2009 at 6:30am:

Its use of hallucinogens like psylocybin or RC seeds in sub-hallucinogenic dose, many people with Cluster Headaches reported cessation of headaches long-term or decrease in severity and frequency of them.

i cant wait to try these seeds 8-)

1.  Prednisone used to give me a few days full relief but never broke my cycle.  I do suggest trying though.

2.  I use Zyprexa as an abortive but it can be tough to get a doc to give you a script for it.  Have you tried energy drinks with caffeine AND Taurine?

3.  What flow rate of O2?  Have you tried higher?

4.  Don't let the length make you defeated.  I had a super long cycle last time and have been most PF for a long time since.  I should be starting my fall cycle soon, but so far, so good.

5.  5 months is not chronic.  I know it doesn't really effect your question. but just wanted to clarify that.  If being chronic scares you, don't worry, you may not be.

I was chronic for 10+ years...and while this is never a popular answer...quitting smoking changed me to episodic. It took 6-8 months to happen but I went from chronic to twice a year (Spring and Fall). That was about 8 years ago...and while my quitting hasn't lasted that long (3 years) i remain episodic to this day. I started RC seeds a few years ago and this year I skipped the spring dance with the beast altogether. Unfortunately my fall appointment has arrived, seeds can't seem to shake this one, maybe they're getting too old.

So if you are chronic and you smoke...you might want to consider it...I can't even imagine what chronic is like anymore, at least i was young and 'invincible' back then.

good luck to you all.

D

Correlation does not equal causation.

daver2 wrote on Oct 2^nd, 2009 at 3:48pm:

I was chronic for 10+ years...and while this is never a popular answer...quitting smoking changed me to episodic. It took 6-8 months to happen but I went from chronic to twice a year (Spring and Fall). That was about 8 years ago...and while my quitting hasn't lasted that long (3 years) i remain episodic to this day. I started RC seeds a few years ago and this year I skipped the spring dance with the beast altogether. Unfortunately my fall appointment has arrived, seeds can't seem to shake this one, maybe they're getting too old. So if you are chronic and you smoke...you might want to consider it...I can't even imagine what chronic is like anymore, at least i was young and 'invincible' back then. good luck to you all. D

I can agree with a lot of this post.  I quit smoking 5 years ago this coming Feb.  My cluster cycles have not exceeded 3 weeks since I quit.  I use to get 2 cycles a year for 4-7 weeks.  By stander smoke almost immediately triggers me anyway.
What i'm saying is if there is a slight chance to reduce CH activity, wouldn't be beneficial to those who smoke to either cut down or quit.  It's not worth the headache.  I can't tell anybody what to do because heck, I still love my occasional cigar and I miss cigs.
I also can't say that smoking is a trigger for everyone.
It just is for me, just like beer/alcohol, petroleum fumes, perfume/cologne, nitrates, chocolate etc....

Now, onto seeds.  This past cycle was down to 13 days and I'm quite sure i'm in remission.  I had 1 hit this week which was yesterday.  I crushed, soaked and strained 40 seeds last night.  Haven't had a CH since.
I dosed 2 weeks ago right at the start of cycle.  I did 60 then from a new order so I assume they're fresh, but you'll never know.  I feel great right now.  I have been taking 25 seeds/month for the past year and skipped my spring cycle this year all together.  LSA is just flat out amazing.  I suggest many to try clusterbusting because the success rate is high.

Sorry for the rant.

PF wishes to all!

Chad