Hi,
Mine have changed, as so many others do. Until recently they came on like a bolt from the blue. One minute I didn't have it, and the next minute I did. It was always a complete surprise and like being smashed in the face with an iron bar.

My latest cycle started as mild shadows which slowly ramped up to about k6, aborted with sumatriptan injection, and then nothing for several days. Then shadows again but no worse than k3 or 4. A few days off and then another big one. It's continued like this for several weeks now and although I have had no symptoms at all for over a week, it means I can not be sure this cycle has ended. I don't know which is worse.
The suma injections are my magic bullet now and I never let it get past k6.
The relationship between shadows and a CH is simple. Shadows is the term we use for a mild attack. A shadow IS a CH but milder, and liveable with. Compared to the alternative I'm happy to have them.

Note that this could actually be another kind of face pain such as SUNCT, trigeminal neuralgia or TMD, which are all connected to the trigeminal nerve and are felt in similar areas of the head and face. It's a good idea to see a specialist.

Mike R wrote,
i get signs of an attack days before it hits.  sensitivity to sounds & smells, ringing in ears, nausea, tiredness, i see strange checkerboard or snowy fuzzy patterns, black spots, things like that usually.  everytime I ignore them.

I don't want to worry you. But, i was wondering, have you
had a cat scan to rule out any other nasties.

Hoppy.

Mike,

Same here, all came back clear.  Question, when you are not in attack mode, how does your head feel?

Thx

When I don't have a cycle episode of headaches by head feels fine.  I forget all about my headaches until they start up again.  In cycle my head tends to hurt moderately at most times and it doesn't hurt to press.  When the pain gets really bad it actually feels a bit better if I try and squeeze my head between 2 pillows.

Thanks again for the replies. I had my levels tested, I am at 75 ng/ml. Still continuing with the regiment, however the beast now decides to attack during the night. Most every night for that matter. I have had adverse reactions to most of the medications that were prescribed last year. In particular verapamil, Tompamax, Lithium. The 02 doesn't seem to help, I carefully read and followed all steps. The imitrex injections give some relief, but "insurance" only allows for 2 a month!?

Shadows are constant throughout the day that seem to be gradually getting worse. No full blown CH during the day, yet. Can't get any sleep, feel like a zombie all day at work. Completely exhausted. Vertigo setting in... I feel this situation, being the CH themselves, lack of sleep, anxiety, whatever...  has addled my brain. I need my brain working in the IT field. 

My boss pretends to be understanding, but having to take over a month off last year, and currently the constant mistakes, not getting much done, leaving early, I fear will ultimately result in my termination.

/rant over

Thanks for listening

james

Hello Hoppy

I will give the Melatonin a try. For some reason, I had Magnesium confused with Melatonin and was taking that before bed. Started taking it last night, hope in time it will offer some relief. Cheers!