Hi everyone,

I was diagnosed in 96, and had them for about 3 weeks. It was terrible.

I haven't had any since that single episode, but I'm really worried it's starting again. I'm getting piercing headaches at the same times every day and the intensity and durations are getting worse. It's been escalating for about a week now.

My question is - i know there are chronic sufferers (I can't imagine what it's like for you guys) and those like me who had them once. But are there ever cases like this where it's been 8 years with nothing at all?  Is it at all common?

Hi Chris, I know that some people skip years. I think you'd be better off posting your question in this part of the forum to get more replies from those with more experience:
START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Sorry you're going through this :(

For episodic CH, most people will have 1 or 2 cycles a year, then there will be people with less frequent cycles with the number of people going several years between cycles dropping off rapidly. The distribution will probably look something like the right hand side of a bell curve.

Common? In my early cluster years I had 2 a year. At the beginning of fall and again at the beginning of spring, each about 6 to 8 weeks. When I got to my 50's they stopped for about 6 years. Then came back in the old pattern for a few years then I went chronic 3 and a half years ago. They are very mild now compared to the old days, only 3 or 4 wake calls a week with KIP never over 5.
Just hang in there, Chris. Maybe they'll come back maybe not. Best thing to do right now is get stocked up on meds, oxygen/non rebreather mask, energy drinks, etc and you might get started on the D3 therapy now.

ok you know I gotta ask ,, are you having any other symptoms with this ?? stomach issues ,, hay fever, sneezing ,, have you moved recently ?

Thanks guys. No other symptoms - but I'm 100% positive it's another cycle. Thankfully it's on the way out now - doing so much better than I was a couple weeks ago.

Good to hear things are improving. Hope you get another long break before you get another cycle.