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http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> How Long? http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1308786120 Message started by mabus on Jun 22^nd, 2011 at 7:42pm

Title: How Long?
Post by mabus on Jun 22^nd, 2011 at 7:42pm

For all you episodics out there, once that "twinge" goes away (which for me signals the end of a cycle) how long do you usually wait before testing the alcohol waters again?

Thanks in advance for your input.

Title: Re: How Long?
Post by Brew on Jun 22^nd, 2011 at 7:55pm

Two weeks from your last twinge.

Title: Re: How Long?
Post by jon019 on Jun 22^nd, 2011 at 8:19pm

Hi mabus,

When episodic I knew the cycle was ending when the hits SLOWLY decreased...in both intensity and number.
First the nightime hits, then the morning, then the afternoon. There was always one more KILLER hit...worse than all the others...that truly signaled the end. I used to pray for that hit...as weird as that sounds....

Being beer deprived for 6-8 weeks by then...a fearfully LONG time...I would buy a 6-pack of primo beer...like a Belgium White or Heiniken...place in the fridge...and wistfully and lovingly stare at it occasionally for about a week. Then...the standard "beer test"....ONE beer...sipped SLOWLY and carefully...LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENS? Usually ok...but sometimes it took two weeks.....

Best,

Jon

BTW.....if you haven't found a good neuro yet...you should consider Sheena Aurora at the Swedish Pain and Headache Center. Her first comment to me...upon my initial presentation... was a gasp and a firm..."I treat this condition very aggressively". She did....

Title: Re: How Long?
Post by Guiseppi on Jun 22^nd, 2011 at 8:55pm

Same as brew. 2 weeks pain free, i wean off the meds, once I am off the meds, I will try the "beer waters." ;)

Joe

Title: Re: How Long?
Post by Barry_T_Coles on Jun 23^rd, 2011 at 4:12am

jon019 wrote on Jun 22^nd, 2011 at 8:19pm:

There was always one more KILLER hit...worse than all the others...that truly signaled the end. I used to pray for that hit...as weird as that sounds....

Best,

Jon

Same as Jon & that KILLER hit was a dead give away.
See I'm not weird after all :D.

Cheers
Barry

Title: Re: How Long?
Post by Khethil on Jun 26^th, 2011 at 11:20pm

On a related episodic-note; Does anyone have any reason to believe that getting a hit after drinking can actually prolong the current cycle?

Thus far (this episode), I've just been drinking as I normally would... knowing that at some point I'd need to go to a private place and squirm for a while before returning to my beer.

Thanks

Title: Re: How Long?
Post by wimsey1 on Jun 27^th, 2011 at 8:16am

I have no evidence for this, but I have been telling every doc that would listen I think CHs share qualities similar to seizures: rapid onset, triggered hits, sometimes preceded by an aura, often succeeded by postictal symptoms...and like seizures, they seem to want to increase and escalate unless controlled. So...maybe not avoiding triggers like alcohol or the like can increase the cycle. But were it me, I would do everything I could to stop the cycle including avoiding known triggers. Blessings. lance