New member, deeply grateful for this site.  55 years old, just diagnosed with CH three weeks ago.  First occurence so am a late bloomer I guess.  Currently taking Verap and Indo, and three weeks in things seem to be settling down. Have Zomig for abortive if needed.  My question is -- do all your symptoms subside between attacks?  While the meds have lowered my serious attacks to perhaps one/day, on a general level I am experiencing some moderate "background" pain and still have eyelid and nasal symptoms pretty much 24/7.  Is this an on/off problem, or do lower level symptoms normally run throughout the cluster period?  Thanks to all of you who make this site work.  You are a Godsend.

Hey there, and welcome! Yes, sad to say, what you are describing are what we call Shadows. Shadows are actually low level Cluster attacks that either do not grow up and become the full adult sized beastie, or the precursor to a big time cycle or hit. Or they just are there as a reminder we have CHs. They suck. The best advice is to deal with shadows as aggressively as you do a full on hit. Use of O2 and and energy drink can chase the shadows away for me, even if it is only temporary. I have been known to hit an unrelenting shadow with Migranal, Zomig or Imitrex as well, knowing it will become something worse. High flow O2 with a demand valve is what I use and it does work. Blessings. lance

I use Lithium as my prevent and yes, in high cycle it'll block the KIP-10 screamers for the most part, but I still get low and mid level hits. I hit them hard with the oxygen and a Red Bull. If you haven't yet tried oxygen, please read this link and consider it. My aborts run about 6-8 minutes just huffing pure 02. Been a real game changer for many on the board.

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

So glad you found us, wishing you peace and some pain free time soon.

Joe