Okay,

So, I'm currently in a cycle (about 3 weeks in, this Thursday)and this one has been quite the rollercoaster ride.

I'm used to just getting this headache once a day with the OCCASIONAL minor CH in the middle of the night, the entire cycle lasting about a month or so.

This time around, I've had about 2-3 CHs a day, and many times they've lasted longer than I'm used to as well (1 hour vs. 20-30 mins). Some days arent nearly as bad as others (I'll have about 1 attack that goes away in about 20-30 mins, Kip 4-6) and there have even been about 2 short pain-free periods that lasted no more than 3 days. Needless to say, this is worrying me that my cycle will do 1 of 2 things:

1) Start to become longer and more frequent
2) There's always the fear of becoming a chronic sufferer. Most likely my worst nightmare.

My question is, has this type of thing happened to any of you and your cycle still ends on time? Or does this sound like the beast may be gearing up for a longer lifetime?  :'(

I've been wrestling this monster some 35 years now, Svargas, and I've never had two cycles the same.

Life's an adventure, fair dinkum, so I simply live between the hits and let the future take care of itself.

Agree that cycles are often irregular and/or there are changes in what has been a stable pattern.

It's unfortunate that written materials about Cluster often focus too firmly on the idea of regularity, leading to being needlessly concerned when we are not "normal".

The same quality of instability/change is not uncommon around meds. Folks who have had good success with a med find it has stopped working. Why?  Your guess. But we start over from ground zero to find something new and effective.

I've never seen any medical literature in which these changes have any negative significance.

I would add to the above that worry over whether or not you turn chronic will accomplish nothing. It will however distract you from battling the beast in front of you. Concentrate on defeating this round of attacks. That will be more effective than worrying. blessings. lance

All good points... Since this cycle is nearing 1-month (wishful thinking that it won't go longer this time), I told myself that I would definitely go to the doctor the next time a cycle starts.

I did also fail to mention that I have a 3-month old that doesn't allow for much sleep, so I'm somewhat convinced that the lack of sleep and random naps I take have thrown this cycle off a bit.

I'll wake up from a nap with an angry CH (about kip 7-8) sometimes - like the nap is what triggered it.

Naps are a known trigger for many people.

My cycles were regular to start with - twice a year, but lately they are completely random. Sometimes an episode will last for 3 months and sometimes only a week. I also get random "one offs" that come out of nowhere, for no apparent reason. Remissions can be anything from 11 months ( longest) to one month (shortest), with the odd "one off" thrown in there.
We are all different of course.
Just when you think you are getting to know the beast, it will change. You may find that no 2 cycles will be the same and the way you respond to meds will change. It's a lifelong struggle to stay on top.
Maz.

Dear Svargas,

I came back on the forums tonight, for the first time in a couple of years. My headaches have always been fairly 'regular' - but over the past 3 years; they have been getting worse. The pain, and length of the cycle has progressively gotten longer.

I usually only had 1 cycle a year, around July. Now only May, I am at my 3rd cycle this year.

So basically, I came online to express my fears - and found them reflected in yours. I think we just can't expect anything. Working ourselves up will also not help.

I'll always remember the fact that my headaches used to be on the right side - and one day, they just swapped and they've been on the right side ever since.

Just take every headache as it comes - which must be so difficult with a little one! Good luck!