Hi all, saw this article from another site.
My question is does having shadows put that person at a higher risk of chronic CH?

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Interictal pain in cluster headache

Abstract

Introduction: Cluster headache is characterized by severe attacks of unilateral pain, but many patients experience symptoms more commonly associated with migraine such as persistent pain.

Patients and methods: We evaluated cluster headache patients using a questionnaire and chart review to determine clinical characteristics.

Results: Twenty-four of 50 subjects reported interictal pain outside of their acute attacks. Sixteen reported persistent pain more than half the time while in cycle. Unlike acute attacks, this pain was generally mild.

Conclusions: Subjects with persistent interictal pain were more likely to have chronic cluster, allodynia, and suboptimal response to sumatriptan, suggesting that interictal pain in cluster headache may predict a more severe disease process.

Im episodic, and I have had shadows for up to two weeks before the cycle hits full on.
when im not in cycle I don't have shadows.
don't know about the relationship as to being chronic, but its quite normal for episodic to have shadows.

colin

I have shadows almost all the time. Not so much a pain but more of an irritation. The shadows are much heavier between attacks when I'm in cycle but my cycles are very sporadic. I've always considered myself to be episodic because I don't have full blown attacks all the time, but the shadows are almost always there. Don't know if that mkes me chronic or not.

I have 100% response to sumatriptan injections, but the pills don't help at all.

Running with the shadow... my favorite song.  I will have shadows periodically.  They used to warn me of an upcoming cycle.  Now, however, they come and go on their own almost as if they are an event unto themselves.  I am not chronic and have had shadows since 1987.  I don't like them as they cause stress/fear and are generally a pain in the tuckus.

maz wrote on Sep 30^th, 2014 at 3:08am:

I have shadows almost all the time. Not so much a pain but more of an irritation. The shadows are much heavier between attacks when I'm in cycle but my cycles are very sporadic. I've always considered myself to be episodic because I don't have full blown attacks all the time, but the shadows are almost always there. Don't know if that mkes me chronic or not. I have 100% response to sumatriptan injections, but the pills don't help at all.

Maz can you elaborate more on what sumatripatan injections? Is it intramuscular? The pills don't work on me either, but maybe the injections will, and having a needle take up less space then a oxygen tank. Does anyone know what percentage of people the sumatriptan injection is effective for?

Anon-ClusterHead wrote on Oct 10^th, 2014 at 9:28pm:

maz wrote on Sep 30th, 2014 at 3:08am: I have shadows almost all the time. Not so much a pain but more of an irritation. The shadows are much heavier between attacks when I'm in cycle but my cycles are very sporadic. I've always considered myself to be episodic because I don't have full blown attacks all the time, but the shadows are almost always there. Don't know if that mkes me chronic or not. I have 100% response to sumatriptan injections, but the pills don't help at all. Maz can you elaborate more on what sumatripatan injections? Is it intramuscular? The pills don't work on me either, but maybe the injections will, and having a needle take up less space then a oxygen tank. Does anyone know what percentage of people the sumatriptan injection is effective for?

First off, sumatriptan is the generic name with Imitrex and Imigran being trade names for the same drug.

The injections are mainly done with an autoinjector which will inject the drug just under the skin. I do it into my tummy, which works fine for me.

There are benefits to having both oxygen and imitrex. You are limited in how many imitrex injections you can use a day, plus they are expensive (depends on where you are in the world and how you pay for your medication). So many will use oxygen for home and where they can take it easily with them in the car or similar, with imitrex for where they can't take oxygen, e.g. flying, some work places, etc.

I've no idea what percentage of people find it effective, but what matters is if it will work for you.

As Mike said. Sumatriptan may be called imitrex or immigran depending on where in the world you live.
Here in England I can get them on th NHS, but I know they are very expensive in countries where you have to pay for them. And in America a lot of people have insurance issues. My biggest problem is availability. Because they are rare I always have to wait while the pharmacy orders them.
The easiest way to get round all these problems is to stockpile a few when you are not in cycle.it spreads the cost and the insurance claims and ensures you have enough to get started when A CH cycle strikes.
They are easy to use, just a button to press,easy to carry and don't hurt much. Just a small sting on the skin - a walk in the park compared to a CH.I use mine on the front of my thigh.they are subcutaneous, being injected into the fat layer just below the skin.
Some people can't use them due to adverse medical conditions, but of those who can there are very few who say they don't work and I honestly believe those people have been misdiagnosed and need something different. These injections saved my sanity and I can't praise them enough.

However, you can only use two per day, so I use oxygen when I'm at home and save the injections for when I'm out. I never leave home without them - they are my new best friend.

Hope this helps
Maz.