Em
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How do I know...I'm fast approaching my 1 year CH anniversary (wow - what a celebration  ), so should I know if I'm chronic or episodic yet?
My headache diaries indicate no pattern or specific times for attacks (apart from being more common between 5am and 1pm).
Other than that, I'm a 2-3 almost all the time, other than for the hour or so after I swig an energy drink (it almost feels normal to be spaced out and unable to concentrate for very long) with between 1 and 5 KIP6/7 hits a day. I've had one good PF spell just after Christmas, but before that it was just the odd day here and there.
What do you think folks?
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Annette
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Hi Emily,
Sorry to hear your CH has gone on for so long this time. Have you had a months break yet ?
The definition used to be that CH is considered chronic if it goes on for 12 months without 14 days break. But it has been changed to 30 days break. If you go for 12 months without 30 days break then it would be considered chronic.
However, I have seen people change from chronic to episodic too so please dont ever lose hope.
Sending lots of healing vibes and painfree wishes to you 
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Em
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Thank you Annette.
My break was 48 days or so. So that means I'm episodic? It doesn't feel like it! Maybe it's the everyday fear of getting one making it worse than it actually is.
I guess I could have a 45 week cycle. At least if it is, then I have double-fun to look forward to next Jan. PF and my birthday all at once (and maybe even my wedding fingers crossed)!
Gee, the beast shouldn't be so kind...
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Annette
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Emily,
If you have had a 48 days break then by definition you are an episodic still, but with very long cycle.
Daniels last cycle was very long too, 8 months it went for and during that 8 month he didnt even have more than 24 hrs worth of painfree time. It was horrible. But then it ended as suddenly as how it started ! The beast is very weird indeed.
What meds are you on Emily? Which ones have you tried ? If you take the right meds, even if the cycle is still going, but it will cut down on the number of hits and the severity greatly.
Heres painfree wishes to you.
HUGS
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Ike
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365 days in a year and you have had 48 pf free in my book your chronic, maybe not how they define it in text books but sounds bloody chronic to me.
Like Annette said where are you with drugs ? what have you tried ? we might be able to think of something for you to try.
im sorry your hurting and i really hope that your cycle will end really soon.
Hugs sweetie.
You got o2 ? and a good neuro?
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Em
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At the moment, I'm using melatonin and that's it for meds. I do rely quite heavily on coffee and energy drinks to get me through the days and when I get a hit, I use o2 to ride the storm til it eases.
I've tried triptans and pred but both had very bad effects on me - so bad in fact that I've been put off trying anything further. After taking the triptan I was in hospital for 4 days and I think Stephen wanted to get me sectioned as it made me act crazy (just one tablet!!). I have a very good GP, but no neuro. My local hospital wouldn't refer me (insisting I had sinusitus because I showed up once with a cold out of 5 visits) so I paid to see a Bupa neuro who diagnosed me on the spot. My GP had an idea that it was ch anyway so I think he just wanted confirmation.
Because the melatonin has been working quite well (it has reduced my daily hits from 8-10 to 1-2 most days) and the drinks/o2 get rid of the constant shadows for a few hours, I'm happy! Plus this board and others give me hope and prevent the clusterblues, which I'm sure made things so, so much worse when I first started suffering.
The other things that have helped have been giving up alcohol, painkillers and anything with a strong smell - damn, no bleaching toilets!!!
I think that everyday shadows only make me more determined to have a positive attitude. It's like the beast's little way of sayiing be grateful that he doesn't hit me as hard as he hits some of you, but keeping on my toes in case he ever decides to change his mind!!
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