This may sound strange but I actually feel like I don't have a lot of information on shadows...they seem to be mentioned in passing and seem to be in the lead up to or the aftermath of a big attack but I was wondering if I could get some information on people's experience with shadows?

I'm asking because it seems like I have shadows -constantly- and I don't know whether this is...well not "normal" since everyone's experiences are different, but somewhat regular. Since being on verapamil (despite the low dose I'm on - addressing this with the neuro tomorrow!) I haven't actually had a big attack (October 2010 was approx. the last one), however on a daily basis I have constant pain. And the pain is almost never the same - sometimes it's like mini versions of a big attack, sometimes it's dull achy stabs, sometimes it's like a 'pinched nerve' feeling that can either be sharp and short or dull and long...sometimes I have continual pressure in my eye with a dull ache or sometimes it feels like someone's trying to scoop my eye out with a spoon!!! Is this everyone else's experience or do you generally only get shadows in the lead up to or the aftermath of a big attack?

I'm really struggling with being in pain like this everyday. I know the big attacks are a million times worse but because mine are so short and, like I said, I haven't had one in some time, I find that the shadows are so much harder to deal with particularly since I work in a call centre on a computer all day. Some days are virtually pain free with only occasional painful stabs, and those days are so much easier to work through but the last 2 days have been horrible with constant pain...and nothing to take for it. I'm sitting here and supposed to be going to work in 3 hours and the idea of sitting in front of a computer all day is so depressing...

Sorry for the vent but if anyone could share their experiences with shadows and if they have experienced anything similar that would be great. I'm up to 7 months of this now, on a daily basis. Generally with only a week or so of "good" (ie. the easier to work through) days.

Hi,
I had the similar problems with all day shadows, I also spend a lot of time in front of a computer and couldn't wear my glasses on a bad day (the pressure across my nose was too much) but I have joined Batch and his D3 regime and as long as I keep taking the suppliments I am pain free. please check it out - definetly worth trying - look for "123 days pf and I think I know why" in the meds,treatments, therapies notice board. Hope it works for you

The thread you want is as stated: 123 days pain free. It's worth the read even if long. So is the Melatonin thread Joe started a few months ago. Both discuss OTC interventions. As to the shadows, they are a form of CH, just lower intensity and longer lasting...as you said, sometimes for days. They need to be aborted. Pain is not the body's natural state. O2 should work to abort them rather well, and I still use an energy drink if after the first abort, the shadows return. Blessings. lance

Hello Amanda,
I hope the D3 etc... program works for you. I noticed an improvement after three days though some have had quicker results.  Please be sure to share any results you have on the "123 days..." posting.
-Gary

Amanda,

I have been dealing with shadows alot. Try Migralex, it works alot better for shadows than advil or excedrin.

Its basically aspirin with a bunch of magnesium and riboflavin. You can buy it on Amazon.com.

Magnesium apparently has a big effect on headaches and I am probobly going to post about it soon. 

Hope that helps

I'm confused. Does your neuro have any clue as to how painful CH can be even when it's big hits infrequently?

Sorry I should clarify a bit - my big hits only last a maximum of 5 mins as well as being infrequent...so it's more the length of them - since most people seem to get relief within 10 mins from 02, I guess she thought it seemed a bit redundant since my hit stops within 5 mins or so. The second they are any longer then that I will be banging on her door, don't you worry! But I will still talk to her about it today, not only to try and ease the shadows but because really, I'd rather already have it there if they start to get longer, rather then having to deal with trying to get it then.

OK keeping Migralex in mind in case the d3, etc. doesn't work...

Peppermint chapstick - that's interesting though!! Is it the peppermint oil that seems to reduce the shadows? I'm quite intrigued by this...

Well...I tried...but have basically lost faith in my neuro, as lovely a woman as she is...as soon as the words "You've been having this for 6 months now? Well maybe it started as cluster headache but is now more migraine because it's been going on so long" came out of her mouth, something in me died. LOL.

She basically refused to give me O2 unless I have more "classic" CHs. So in a nutshell, she's given me an anti-depressant to try because she doesn't want to up my verapamil dose (which is exTREMely low) thanks to my BP. I guess the good thing out of the day is that she's giving me a letter for my work, since the GP can't with no working knowledge of CH at all...but *sigh* I guess I'm going to have to try and find a new neuro!

Might put the call out on here for any Sydney based clusterheads with good experiences to give me some names...

Until then, starting on fish oil and vitamin d tomorrow!!!!

if you are going to be taking supplements you really should try a magnesium supplement as well, whats one more pill in addition to D3 and fish oil? and its pretty harmless anyway

Migralex really helps with shadows, but I suppose its no different than taking some aspirin and a magnesium supplement.

Migralief is a supplement that has magnesium in and it and riboflavin, so if you dont want to buy migralex outright you can sort of just do it that way

hope this helps

5 min hits.... yowch... that sounds like it presents a whole host of other problems. How many hits a day do you average?

OK so I'm almost too scared to say anything in case it hears me...

BUT...

I'm up to day 3 PF so far! 3000mg of Omega 3 and only 1000 IU of D3 a day and my shadows have virtually disappeared. The only thing I have noticed is that if I stay up too late at night, outside of my regular routine (which I have done a few nights this weekend), I get a niggle of pain from shadows...but I'm hoping that as it builds up in my system that might stop being a problem.

But OMG I feel a million times better and like this NATURAL path a LOT better then the anti depressants my neuro wanted to try me on next...

I'm going to add some magnesium into the mix and I'm on the hunt for a peppermint chapstick as a back up - I really want to try that lol. Even if I do look weird to people at work...

Today is my first day at work since being on the supplements so it will get a real test today - i notice my shadows a hell of a lot more at work so any niggles will be noticeable.