Hi everyone, hope all is well.

Bobby's cluster finally broke, started 4/14 and left on 7/7 (the longest cycle he's ever had) but I'm always concerned that it's not really over.  How many pf days do we need (listen to me - WE) to say the cycle is over?

I am by no means an expert, but I have been a CH for 12 years but honestly I think Bobby will have the feeling if the cycle is over or at least I normally do.  For me it is weird but after about 4 or 5 days you just have a completely different feeling.  If I am counting correcting it has been about 3 weeks since his last hit so I think it is safe to say "that" cycle is over.  Obviously, the fact that all of we CHs must face is the beast will strike again and we never know when so we must live life to the fullest and not worry about it.  I am thankful that Bobby is PF now and hope and pray that those days are many if not forevery.  Wishbone.

I usually wait for a month to announce that the cycle is over, just to be on the safe side.
And in Bobby's case that month is not that far away! :) I hope that the beast will stay away for a long, long time. :)

PF wishes,
Sanna

It's funny how many threads are asking the same basic question.  Looks like a lot of episodics are coming out of hell.  This is good news to me.

You aren entirely entitled to say WE when referring to your clusterhead.  You guys are in this together.  I thank you for being there for him.

Your answer is somewhere between what Ernie and Sanna said.  I usually don't get excited for a few weeks to a month.  But sometimes you just know.

I hope your collective break is a long one  8-)

-Dennis-

Agree with Wishbone: I'd experience a lightness of mind which, over time, I came recognize as my signal.

BUT, having said that, I'd also encourage you to not look so hard for THE sign of the end! Analogous to people on a diet: when you weigh youself everyday discouragement tends to increase. Dealing with a slow motion process (weight loss or CH) a constant focus only adds to preoccupation/anxiety, etc. Rather, get back to living vs. "when will the next one come?"

One time years ago I left the house without my imitrex.  I said screw it, I don't need it.  Thats when I knew that cycle was over.  It was that sudden realization that I had some peace of mind that let me know it was over.

This time is different as I have shadowed almost everyday for 4 months since my last hit, so I don't have complete peace of mind.  

Bottom line, ask him how he feels.  ASk him his confidence level of leaving the house for a couple hours without any abortives.  

Well it's funny you mention leaving the house w/o abortive measures b/c I noticed yesterday that his portable O2 has been taken out of the truck....but I don't actually like talking about it out loud (stupid I know) so I picked up the bag and was like "you sure about this?" He said he was fine with it not being with him, but we have imitrex shots in the glove compartments of all three of our vehicles!  BETTER SAFE THEN SORRY I always say!  

The funny thing is that since 7/7 he's been very tired, is this normal for you guys? I'm assuming that since so much sleep has been robbed from you that the body is trying to reclaim what's it's lost?

On a side note, I wanted to tell you all that I talk about all of you every night like you all are my new best friends - I love you all being here and available for us.  You guys are the best!!!

Love,
B & B

I never leave the house without Imitrex - always in my purse. Although, I'm not sure why. I don't get the random hits, my cycles are always 3 months, and I'm pain free in between. I guess it's my security blanket.

I have shadows/soreness pretty much the entire cycle, so I can very quickly recognize when the beast has left.

Beyond about 2 days, you can't make up lost sleep. It just doesn't work that way.