My cycles are short and spread out, if everything follows the normal pattern I should start a new cycle in Nov 09. Last night I had an episode out of the blue that knocked me to my knees. I was washing dishes and it hit me like a hammer strike with no warning. I went from pain free to begging God to make it stop in a matter of minutes. Do other people get these out of the blue episodes too?  Does anyone know how to avoid them? The start of a new cycle? Did I get into something that triggered it? Or is this just the nature of the beast? I have only had a couple of these odd episodes since CH entered my life.

Mandy
I could be the start of another cylce.  These things are unpredictable.  Once you think you have it figured out, it changes.  My last go around started with a hit that wasn't completely unexpected and then i was pain free for about 6 weeks before the shit hit the fan.  My advice is to start taking your preventatives if you haven't already.  If you never took anything, you'll need to see your doc if that the way you want to go. If its the beginning, then hopefully its another short one for you.
Good luck

The characteristics of CH reflected in the diagnostic description, is taken too literally. Significant variation, especially over time, is more common than we should recognize (in our messages).

So, yes, this experience is not unusual; cycles are not rigid; the location and quality of pain may wander around for months, even years, before becoming a stable experience, etc.

It's a teaching experience: how to attend to your life with CH without becoming obsessed!