This year (2009) has been a long one in terms of CHs.  I had a cycle in March and thought it was over in late May/early June.  Then I had a couple of what I called isolated attacks (that I have never experienced in my nearly 30 years of dealing with the Demon).  Then attacks started again in August and I went back to the neurologist.  He put me back on Verapamil.  Thank heavens for injectible Imitrex!  I have had four attacks since Saturday morning and have been having shadows nearly all day today.  The Dr. increased my Verapamil from 480 mg to 720 mg (after an EKG).  I am hoping this works.  While my attacks are not as severe as they were prior to Verapamil, they are still CH attacks and I am feeling much older than my 43 years at present.  I am clueless of what may be triggering these--have not had a drink in a very long time, try to watch from overheating (2 definite triggers for me).  The Dr. told me that cycles can "hick-up" so to speak.  I am venting here, but am open to any suggestions anyone might have in terms of triggers I am not aware of...  John

I'm not aware of any triggers that can make an entire cycle hiccup and then start right over unexpectedly.

Makes me wonder if it's not so much a trigger issue, but just the beast doing his not always predictable thing, this time with some stoopid hiccuping thrown in for sadistic measure.  >:(

Sorry to hear about this long year of CH for you - I'm sure that's the last thing you needed.  :(

I agree with bejeeber. The beast loves to change things up. I've had one or two years with -- what did that doc call them, hiccups? -- which I thought was the CH trying to branch out from episodic to chronic as they do with post-menopausal women. Just keep in mind that there's rarely any rhyme or reason to these buggers and keep experimenting! Best of luck.

I agree with bejeeber. The beast loves to change things up. I've had one or two years with -- what did that doc call them, hiccups? -- which I thought was the CH trying to branch out from episodic to chronic as they do with post-menopausal women. Just keep in mind that there's rarely any rhyme or reason to these buggers and keep experimenting! Best of luck.

It's one of his ugliest faces...the ability of the beast to constantly morph. You didn't mention oxygen in your arsenal. We've seen a lot of refinements in its use in the last 2 years, dramatically increasing its effectiveness. Read the link on your left, "oxygen info" and give it a shot. I abort in 6-8 minutes,.....without the "trex hangover."

Joe

maryo wrote on Oct 15^th, 2009 at 12:06pm:

......... which I thought was the CH trying to branch out from episodic to chronic as they do with post-menopausal women.............

First time I've heard that about Clusters Headaches.

Can you point me to a source?

Thanks in advance,

Marc

Thanks for your replies.  I tried many tx within the past ten years...Sansert, Depakote, Prednisone, O2, a couple of other meds whose names escape me at present.  The Verapamil seems to have been most effective for me in terms of prevention.  My attacks are far less severe than they used to be.  Looking back on it, I wonder how I managed from age 14 until 30 something with no tx at all--Thanks to neurologist, Dr. Sydney Bender in Livingston NJ for the formal diagnosis!!!

I report with some trepidation that I am experiencing day FOUR--PF!!!  It is going to have to last considerably longer before I believe that the Beast is sleeping (or hopefully DEAD)!