I understand your question--but it is the wrong one to ask! We can't predict the future with CH. Sorry...  The issue is: How do I effectively care for myself?

Please print the full version of this article (link right after "from") and get some grounding about what CH is, how to treat, etc.

 
Cluster headache.
From: Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or (Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases)
[Easy to read; one of the best overview articles I've seen. Suggest printing the full length article if you are serious about keeping a
good medical library on the subject.]

Leroux E, Ducros A.

ABSTRACT: Cluster headache (CH) is a primary headache disease characterized by recurrent short-lasting attacks (15 to 180 minutes) of excruciating unilateral periorbital pain accompanied by ipsilateral autonomic signs (lacrimation, nasal congestion, ptosis, miosis, lid edema, redness of the eye). It affects young adults, predominantly males. Prevalence is estimated at 0.5-1.0/1,000. CH has a circannual and circadian periodicity, attacks being clustered (hence the name) in bouts that can occur during specific months of the year. ALCOHOL IS THE ONLY DIETARY TRIGGER OF CH, STRONG ODORS (MAINLY SOLVENTS AND CIGARETTE SMOKE) AND NAPPING MAY ALSO TRIGGER CH ATTACKS. During bouts, attacks may happen at precise hours, especially during the night. During the attacks, patients tend to be restless. CH may be episodic or chronic, depending on the presence of remission periods. CH IS ASSOCIATED WITH TRIGEMINOVASCULAR ACTIVATION AND NEUROENDOCRINE AND VEGETATIVE DISTURBANCES, HOWEVER, THE PRECISE CAUSATIVE MECHANISMS REMAIN UNKNOWN. Involvement of the hypothalamus (a structure regulating endocrine function and sleep-wake rhythms) has been confirmed, explaining, at least in part, the cyclic aspects of CH. The disease is familial in about 10% of cases. Genetic factors play a role in CH susceptibility, and a causative role has been suggested for the hypocretin receptor gene. Diagnosis is clinical. Differential diagnoses include other primary headache diseases such as migraine, paroxysmal hemicrania and SUNCT syndrome. At present, there is no curative treatment. There are efficient treatments to shorten the painful attacks (acute treatments) and to reduce the number of daily attacks (prophylactic treatments). Acute treatment is based on subcutaneous administration of sumatriptan and high-flow oxygen. Verapamil, lithium, methysergide, prednisone, greater occipital nerve blocks and topiramate may be used for prophylaxis. In refractory cases, deep-brain stimulation of the hypothalamus and greater occipital nerve stimulators have been tried in experimental settings.THE DISEASE COURSE OVER A LIFETIME IS UNPREDICTABLE. Some patients have only one period of attacks, while in others the disease evolves from episodic to chronic form.

PMID: 18651939 [PubMed]

Used to be they got so bad that I would honestly forget that EVERY SINGLE ATTACK COMES TO AN END.

Then I remembered, and that's when I started living again.

Chronic is defined as one year without a pain-free break of 30 days or more.

[quote author=7B6B7C6E7A6B7C6E190 link=1219165002/0#5 date=1219167166]Chronic is defined as one year without a pain-free break of 30 days or more.[/quote
a QUESTION....................................if i have been in a cycle for 8 mths, and meds are keeping it "at bay", with hits in betwen, and if i attempt to go off meds, it comes back witha vegenance, am i leaning towards chronic?????????????.........mind you, i am living my life and not concentrating on CH..........................tho it is puzzzling!
deb

I'd never had a cycle go much past 3 months, then my last cycle went 8! I was trying to ignore the thought but I was scared sh*&less I was going chronic. Every time I'd start to wean off the lithium, WAM!! I didn't go chronic, the danged cycle finally ended. But if it hadn't, I'd have dealt with it, it's what we do! Hoping month 8 proves the magic stop for you!

Guiseppi