Can you tell me about your cycle(s)?  More in general, how long do they last?  Im at about 3 months of this cycle and I feel like there is no end in site at this point.  Do you find that it changes from cycle to cycle?

Hi Alynn,
The thing with CH's we are all different, their is no real set
pattern, although the one that seems to stand out the most
myself included is they arrive in the Spring and Autumn (Fall)
and last for the 3mths then just disappear.

Hoppy.

Mine are random throughout the year. Duration is random too. Some times they last for 2 - 3 months and some times only 2 - 3 days.  The only pattern I have noticed is that after a short episode, the remission is shorter too.

Thank you.  I guess sometimes I just get scared that they wont stop.

Alynn,

I had an unusually long cycle this year.  Mine are usually around 9 weeks.  Started to have that "oh god, what if I go chronic..." panic around the middle of the 12th week.   

It'll end, eventually.  Have faith and manage as best as you can day-to-day. 

Alynn wrote on Oct 9^th, 2013 at 9:04am:

Thank you.  I guess sometimes I just get scared that they wont stop.

Completely understandable. While I am chronic, we have found even chronics have high and low cycles. The fear and reality of coming pain causes all sorts of emotional responses. These are mediated somewhat (for me) with a good, progressive plan to deal with the attacks as they come. This allows me to handle each hit separately from the next and enjoy the pf time in between. Do you have such a ladder of pain prevention? blessings. lance

Thank you Lance. I understand how you feel and what your saying.  When I'm not having an actual headache, I sit worrying about when and where I'll have my next one, or if I will be up all night with them, and so on. I need to learn to try and relax and take everything day by day. Although it is hard, I'm by nature an anxious person.

Alynn wrote on Oct 11^th, 2013 at 7:24pm:

Thank you Lance. I understand how you feel and what your saying.  When I'm not having an actual headache, I sit worrying about when and where I'll have my next one, or if I will be up all night with them, and so on. I need to learn to try and relax and take everything day by day. Although it is hard, I'm by nature an anxious person.

Learning to take the fear and worry out of CH is one of the biggest steps to getting back in control. Doing so is made up of a few steps, like getting an effective abortive and learning how to use it effectively. As you get experienced in being able to abort a CH rapidly, even when away from home and getting back to what you were doing before the CH hit means that you gain confidence to get out and do things.

Whilst each CH is a torture session, you learn over time that you have got through CHs before and this one will be no different.

Then it is time to live life between the CH hits and between the cycles.

Mike NZ wrote on Oct 12^th, 2013 at 2:48am:

Alynn wrote on Oct 11th, 2013 at 7:24pm: Thank you Lance. I understand how you feel and what your saying.  When I'm not having an actual headache, I sit worrying about when and where I'll have my next one, or if I will be up all night with them, and so on. I need to learn to try and relax and take everything day by day. Although it is hard, I'm by nature an anxious person. Learning to take the fear and worry out of CH is one of the biggest steps to getting back in control. Doing so is made up of a few steps, like getting an effective abortive and learning how to use it effectively. As you get experienced in being able to abort a CH rapidly, even when away from home and getting back to what you were doing before the CH hit means that you gain confidence to get out and do things. Whilst each CH is a torture session, you learn over time that you have got through CHs before and this one will be no different. Then it is time to live life between the CH hits and between the cycles.

Agreed. I'm 23 years episodic, and dealing with each one as it comes is far better than trying to think about the next one before it hits you...it will consume you if you let it...speaking from experience.

For an OTC abortive, I used Aleve (naproxen sodium, NSAID) for several years while it worked for me...I haven't used it for over 10 years because it stopped working, which is common for OTC meds, but it may be worth a try. It would stop the beast dead in his tracks for me within 10-20 minutes if taken on any empty stomach with just water. I might try it again and see if it will do anything for me now days. Also, Excedrin Migraine or Migraine-X has worked for me in past 8 or so years, but I only use it on occasion, not habitually, so it does still have some effect for me when there are those times I a CH catches me at a really bad time, or I just don't feel I can cope without some help to kill it. I'm not sure why, but it seems OTCs don't have any effect on CH if you take them for too long and too often...maybe it's just me, but seems to be the same for others as well.

As for cycle durations and timing, mine used to run for 3-4 months once I went full-blown into clusters, and at a set time of day/night once my cycle was established. After about 5 years they would start at any time of year, but at first, they were probably less than a month in duration. In recent years my cycles can be 1-2 weeks, sometimes a bit longer, as this one I'm in right now has been...just another example how things can change, even after being a cluster-head for years, but also, each of us is different, so what once was the norm for me may be way out in left-field for others. My cycles are shorter now, my CH are shorter (usually), running about 45 minutes instead or 3-4 hours, however, the time of day/night I get CH is totally unpredictable now...any time is prime-time now...sux, but with shorter CH it's not that bad for me. Everything to do with CH for me has gotten shorter and slightly less intense, for no apparent reason, and I won't complain about that one bit.

BTW, I'm non-RX all the way, and yes there is little OTC that will help, but I do suggest you look into the Vit D-3 regime posted by Batch...just vitamin/mineral supplements...lots of folks with very promising results...just found out about it myself, recently.

Also, check into Melatonin...very interesting hormone...it can help with the night hits...the man-made version is safe when used in appropriate doses...this is OTC as well.

Your cycles may be lengthening, as they oftentimes will if you're not an old cluster-head, and with that, I would be actively seeking a good preventive such as the D-3 regime...now's the best time to control the beast before it tries controlling you.

Keep your chin up...you will get through this...we will all get through this, together.