Posted by Laurence on October 03, 1998 at 21:24:27:
In Reply to: I'm scared--has anyone experienced this? posted by Jackie on October 03, 1998 at 16:58:37:
Hi Jackie,
I am sure you will understand the proviso that I can only pass on my personal experience, as we all seem to have our own personal, little "quirks" with this condition. However, I can say first that my shadows run on for weeks and months after the cluster headache cycle is past its peak. Although my headaches ended in mid July, I am still getting almost daily mild shadow effects now.
Second, on several occasions after the bout was "over", the shadow became strong enough (painful enough) for me to have to reach for the oxygen. Most recently about 2 weeks ago. While it may in part have been a safety-first reaction, I certainly didn't want the pain to reach a crescendo before deciding whether the clusters had gone or come back.
I am still taking a much-reduced Lithium dosage (1 400 mg tablet) every day until the shadows finally lift – I hope. Based on my past experience, that won't be for another or month or two yet, with no doubt the occasional scare along the way. For some the shadows run on even longer.
I hope my experience turns out to be the same as yours, if you know what I mean.
Bye for now
Laurence