I've posted here a few times, and as some might know the first time I was hit by this monster was at the beginning of December (I am 24). I got diagnosed, got put on verapamil (titrated up to 720 mg per day), which helped tremendously with the number of hits and the intensity of them, with the trade-off of having a constant shadow to remind me of what was lurking...

My last cycle lasted approximately twelve weeks, fading off at the end of February. Now, from what I have read on this site and from various other sources, episodic's usually have at least 6 months between cycles. Does this refer to the beginning of one cycle until the next (i.e. one cycle in December, and the next starting in June), or does it refer to one's period of remission (i.e. cycle ending at the beginning of March, and the next beginning in September)?

The reason I ask this is because my second cycle - that I'm currently in - began about 3 weeks ago, putting it about five months after my first cycle started...and giving me only about two and a half months of remission. I realize that it varies dramatically from person to person, but is it unusual for one to have a cycle so quickly after one has ended? My family is worried because the time of remission was so short compared to what they have read, and are contemplating taking me to the Mayo Clinic for a second opinion.

I should add that I suffered from daily migraines until I was 15, and was pain free until they suddenly reappeared last August (coinciding with my birthday!). Also, last February, I suffered an accident where I broke the right transverse process on my T1 vertebrae.

I apologize for the long post for my questions - is it usual to have such a short period of remission between cycles, or is it common for a new cycle to start less than 6 months from the beginning of one's last?

I'm seeing my neurologist (headache specialist) tomorrow, but would appreciate all of your support and knowledge to help me cope with this!

Hugs and kisses. -Logan

If you are not chronic, you are episodic.

The definition of chronic is going for one full year without a pain-free break of 30 days or more.

So, if you've had a break of 30 days or more in the last 12 months, you are considered by the medical community to be episodic.

It's as simple as that.

I know I'm not chronic. I was just curious as to whether it is a common occurrence for one to start a new cycle so quickly after their last. I was really hoping I would be pain-free for longer than this  :(.

I had to get up and leave during one of my best friend's weddings (first friend to go down that path!), which was upsetting for me to say the least. Luckily he (partially) understood. I brought my syringes to the ceremony, but stupidly forgot to grab the vial of sumatriptan! Live and learn.

It's sadly not uncommon for cycles to shift. Remissions to get longer or shorter, cycles to get longer and shorter. For the first 20 years my cycles were very consistent, spring and fall, 8-12 weeks long. I hit my 40's and they went all over the board.

Have you checked this out yet, the D-3 regimen???Newest latest and greatest around here:

Follow this link to the medications section of this board and read the post 

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

It’s a vitamin/mineral/fish oil supplement, all over the counter stuff. It’s up to an 81% success rate of those who try it and respond to the survey so you’re just shooting yourself in the foot if you don’t give it a shot. I’m 3 years pain free on it after a 35 plus year track record with episodic CH. Best of all, it’s healthy for you even without CH!


Joe