I'm not sure if this happens to anyone else but I'm having a hard time after this cycle which I believe to have finished.  This whole cycle was weird from the start.  It only seemed to have lasted  4 weeks.  Not my normal run.  Normal hits are 6-8 weeks long and more intense then this go around.

What I'm having a hard time dealing with is I feel like my brain took a vacation.  Reading and comprehension seem to have vanished.  I having a hard time thinking clearly and my body and mind doesn't feel connected. 

I'm sleeping way more then I ever have.  I feel exhausted and weak and my arms and legs feel like lead weights.

My mood seems to be very blah.  I could care less if I get dressed or even go out.  I know with other cycles I have a hard time with comprehension for a bit but this seems much more intense.   I'm not depressed more like I don't give a shit.  I guess what I'm saying is I have no motivation at all.  I'm so hoping this will pass soon.

Sami

Sounds more med related to me, are you on topomax by any chance? I've never had those "feelings" after a cycle.

Joe

Sami, maybe your body just needs a rest?

Respect

Gary

There is so little in the literature that no call on the question is possible--except to suggest that too much concern will make you feel bad!

Do something useful around the house.....
====

Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2005 Apr;9(2):109-12.   
Cognitive processing in cluster headache.

Evers S.

Department of Neurology, University of Munster, Albert-Schweitzer-Str. 33, 48129 Munster, Germany. everss@uni-muenster.de.

[Edited for length.] In neuropsychologic evaluations, a reversible decline of memory processing was detected during the cluster attack, but not between two attacks. Long-term observation revealed no progressive cognitive decline in cluster headache patients over the years. With regard to personality changes, a liability susceptibility to anxiety disorders and to hypochondriasis, but not to mood changes, has been described inconsistently. All changes in alterations of cognitive processing in cluster headache are demonstrated to be mild and do not relevantly contribute to the clinical picture of this disease.

Publication Types:
Review

PMID: 15745620 [PubMed]

{BJ added: PMID 10971660 & 1563942 add supporting data from brief clinical testing studies. Too limited to be definitive.}

Thanks everyone,  I am not on any meds for the Clusters.  I use Imitrex as needed and O2.  I do take meds for Thyroid and Diabetes.  Maybe my body just needs to rewire after the attacks.

I went for blood work last week and my A1c was up from my previous lab so this might have something to do with it also,  I haven't been able to go running which I was doing 5 miles a day (I trail run).  It does really clear your head.  My whole routine has been turned upside down.

Your last: makes sense that the meds you use and these other conditions are hard enough to keep in balance at the best of times and easy to knock off base with emotional and physical stresssors.

I well remember how the family had to monitor my uncle when stressors were up.

Sleeping more...caring less...having a hard time thinking...I don't mean to sound the doomsday bell here, but these are classic symptoms of depression. It almost sounds as if you think naming it will somehow make it worse. Depression is a natural reaction to high stress, and a cycle certainly fits that. There's nothing to be ashamed of here. And if you are not depressed then still, your body needs to recover. That, too, is natural. So even if these symptoms aren't related directly to CHs, they certainly are related to the fact that we have them at all. Monitor yourself, keep aware of what's going on with your body and your mind. If needed, write in a journal or diary. If you don't see improvement after what seems like a reasonable amount of time passed, then tell your doctor. Thanks for sharing! Blessings. lance

Thanks Lance,

I'm not bothered by labels.  I just know that I feel so washed out after this cycle.  I'm more frustrated with the brain dead feeling.  I'm so tired I have no motivation at all.  I know I go through this after every cycle it's just when you go years without feeling like this you forget just how bad it can get.  If I need something I will not think twice about asking for it.  I'm sure the weather also isn't helping with so much snow and gray days out.  I'm sure with all the stress and the hits my body is out of whack.  I'll give it a couple of weeks and see if I feel better if not then I will say something to the Dr.  You know it almost feels like your brain short fires and it needs time to reset.

Sami