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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006 General Board Posts >> longest one ever - is this normal?
        
(Message started by: layframe on Apr 23^rd, 2006, 11:28pm)

Title: longest one ever - is this normal?
Post by layframe on Apr 23^rd, 2006, 11:28pm

Just a question. I had a 9 hour attack last week. Is this normal? I know most are usually only an hour or so, but this was to the point i couldn't take it anymore

Title: Re: longest one ever - is this normal?
Post by Rock_Lobster on Apr 23^rd, 2006, 11:32pm

If you did, it was not a cluster.

Congrats, I suppose. 9 hours of pain must still suck though.

Title: Re: longest one ever - is this normal?
Post by layframe on Apr 23^rd, 2006, 11:36pm

I donno man. It was at its peak pain just like a cluster attack. Def not a normal migraine. any idea's of anything else it could have been?

Title: Re: longest one ever - is this normal?
Post by D_Robinson on Apr 23^rd, 2006, 11:39pm

Been there done that and well not sure why you guys did not feel it was not a cluster but my nuro sure did. Prior to Zomig, I had them a few times. Not sure if they would be more like mulitple hits and I would maybe just be exhausted between them and drop off, or what, but I have done some 9+ hour hits in real intenese head pain during a cycle. I would discuss it with your doctor before dismissing it as not a cluster or as a cluster. I was pretty useless the next 24 hours after a bout like that also.

David

Title: Re: longest one ever - is this normal?
Post by fubar on Apr 23^rd, 2006, 11:39pm

If you're worried about something more serious than a *bad* magraine, you should be seen by a medical professional. Otherwise, it sounds like a bad migraine to me.

Title: Re: longest one ever - is this normal?
Post by layframe on Apr 23^rd, 2006, 11:41pm

no i get these everyday probally 2 or 3 times....Its not just a one time occurance...just this specific attack was odd to me.

Title: Re: longest one ever - is this normal?
Post by E-Double on Apr 23^rd, 2006, 11:45pm

check your other thread for information.

Regarding
on 04/23/06 at 23:39:08, D_Robinson wrote:

I have certainly had days where they are back to back to back lasting literally all day. My record was 14. Many of us have. The difference is that there is a break in between though one may have shadows in between.

Some have multiple headache types which can sometimes blur or blend in per se'.

The reason it is "dismissed" is because the IHS diagnostic criteria would suggest that it is not.

that doesn't mean that it is not horrible.
It does mean that there are other things going on.

Regardless, pain sucks!!!!

Title: Re: longest one ever - is this normal?
Post by layframe on Apr 23^rd, 2006, 11:46pm

ok thanks man

Title: Re: longest one ever - is this normal?
Post by E-Double on Apr 23^rd, 2006, 11:49pm

Here is a site that may help you as well.

It is the Canadian Organization for Understanding Cluster Headache.

This is of course a world wide group so stick around but you can also find great people and information here:::

http://www.clusterheadaches.ca/DesktopDefault.aspx

Good luck brother!!!

Title: Re: longest one ever - is this normal?
Post by Neekwa on Apr 24^th, 2006, 12:57am

wow, a 9 hour attack? I have never suffered at that length. A few days ago I got three which lasted roughly an hour, for three hours consecutively.

Are you saying you suffered 9 hours of peak pain? I can't imagine that, I would admit myself into emergency.

For me the normal peak lasts anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes during your average one hour attack. The rest designated to the slow build up to the peak, and the slow decline from it.

Title: Re: longest one ever - is this normal?
Post by layframe on Apr 24^th, 2006, 7:45am

It was progressively worse until it ended. Someone said it might be that I had a few attacks in a row but if it was there was no breaks in between. I thought it was kind of odd.

Title: Re: longest one ever - is this normal?
Post by medic1852 on Apr 24^th, 2006, 8:01am

on 04/23/06 at 23:39:53, fubar wrote:

If you're worried about something more serious than a *bad* magraine, you should be seen by a medical professional. Otherwise, it sounds like a bad migraine to me.

I am with Fubar on this, it could have been or not I dont know I aint a doctor (hence the spelling). Take a look at this thread Worth Reading (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=general;action=display;num=1145556196). And as always ask a doc!
Rodger

Title: Re: longest one ever - is this normal?
Post by pattik on Apr 24^th, 2006, 8:10am

Just to add to the confusion, here is another thread on this subject. I have experienced several hours of headaches at a time, but it was a combination of hits with shadowing in between, so the pain level would go up and down.
http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=chspecific;action=display;num=1141049589

Title: Re: longest one ever - is this normal?
Post by Rock_Lobster on Apr 24^th, 2006, 8:13am

I thought the consensus here is generally that the max length for a cluster is around 3 hours (if memory serves), and even that is pushing it.

Not trying to belittle the event... just hoping it is not something serious... stroke, tumor, et al.

Either way, you need an abortive. Living through 9 hours of a cluster (or whatever)... man... takes some character.

Title: Re: longest one ever - is this normal?
Post by layframe on Apr 24^th, 2006, 8:36am

ya I'm not a doctor either..kinda a piss off when someone tells me it sounds like nothing more then a bad migraine though. Anyone who has put up with this for any lenght of time know's its nothing like a migraine. I haven't been able to work for 3 months because of this. Even when I blew my back out I didn't feel anything like this. I was just trying to make sense of it as the doctors could not. So I thought who better to ask then people who have them as well. I know I am going for a CATscan. But it was to measure out tumors or anything like that. And I know the average times for one are anywhere for 30-180 min but there is lots of reports of people having them longer in rare cases.

Title: Re: longest one ever - is this normal?
Post by nani on Apr 24^th, 2006, 8:41am

Someone recently posted a study or an abstract (Flo or Bob Johnson, I think) that describes CH attacks that last several hours. It's possible, but it doesn't happen very often.
I sure hope that doesn't happen to you again.
pain free wishes, nani

Title: Re: longest one ever - is this normal?
Post by Dragnlance on Apr 24^th, 2006, 8:51am

I have to state that I get attacks that will last up to nine hours. I have been accused of having migraines because of it. Trust me, I would trade this for a migraine any day of the week. It could be that they are multiple hits with no discernable difference between the hits. There are many of us with different kinds of hits. Some here get hit with a k10 that will last an hour, give them an hour break only to do it again. Some here get hit only a couple times a day, or even once a day. I have even heard of some that get hit on a certain day of the week.
Length of the hit should not be counted as an absolute when it comes to diagnosing a CH. There are certain charactoristics that do hold true. Always on one side of the head often behind the eye or in the temple, ramps up quickley, no meds (pain meds) work for it ever, The pain is so intense that sleep and sitting still are out of the question, light and sound and olfactory (smell) are not factors. Usually shows up at the same time. For episodics, can go on for weeks or months, then quit for no reason, and appear months or years later.

If we are to use a time factor with CH, then we have to say that the episodics that go for years do not have CH, as compared to those that only get months or weeks between episodes. We are all different, and experience the pain differently. If your hit fits the description I just gave, you most likely had a CH hit.

My biggest gripe is people who dismiss a long CH hit as a migraine because it doesn't fit the mold. I have been misdiagnosed because of that, all my life. I have read close to 50 books on migraines, trying to find out why the treatments didnt work. Then I found out they are NOT migraines, but CH.

I have many times had a 9 hour hit, and believe me, you are begging for someone to end it for you by the time you get to 5 hours. It is a CH hit for me, and I can tell you the, QUOTE, 3 hour, UNQUOTE time frame does not hold true. I will ask those of you who have never had such a horrible experience, to with hold judgement on this until you get to go thru this hell.

I will get off my soap box for now, but will keep it handy incase someone wants to argue ;;D

Dragn

edited to add: I have been positivly diagnosed with CH, and the neuro and the emergency room here got to wittness a 6 hour and 5 hour attack first hand...

Title: Re: longest one ever - is this normal?
Post by layframe on Apr 24^th, 2006, 9:00am

thanks for the post...Thats all I wanted to know. I do realize there is many people who only get short attacks...and trust they hurt just as bad. I just wanted to know if it was out of the norm. I've been getting them for 4 months straight now with no remorse time between. Usually 2 or 3 a day for a hour or so. Its well not good to hear, because I know how bad these feel, but nice to know I'm not the only one who has had a long attack. My medical history usually puts me outta the norm or inconclusive so it dosen't suprise me to have a little different lenght for mine. Hell when I threw my back out 4 years ago I still get conflicting stories on what causes it anything from scoliosis to just a pulled muscle....so not to keen on doctors thats why I turned to people who expreience the same thing as me. My doc does suspect that they are cluster headaches. And another thing that I thought might add to them is having glaucoma...not sure if anyone else has been diagnosed with it as well or know if it adds to it. They always seem to check my eyes and look concerned but never say anything on it......well thanks for your time and I wish no one had to go through this

Title: Re: longest one ever - is this normal?
Post by Margi on Apr 24^th, 2006, 10:18am

Hi Layframe, nice to see you but sorry you have a reason to look for information on this hideous pain. My husband is a clusterhead and, in 20 years, I've only seen him have an extended attack once and it was because he had one glass of red wine with dinner. It wasn't one continuous attack, rather a series of hard hits back to back. He actually was able to sleep at some points during the attack but I could tell there was still some level of pain there at those points.
Had you ingested anything that might have caused this, do you know? MSG, red wine, sometimes booze of any kind will be enough to send my boy into the depths of hell when he's in cycle (out of cycle, he's ok with any food triggers, except for red wine).
You mention glaucoma in your post.....do you have glaucoma? That must be awful combined with cluster pain. :(
I see you're 22 year old as well. How long have you had cluster? I know my husband got hit a LOT harder in his 20's. I also see you're from Kingston! That's where hubby grew up too - beautiful area.
Hang in there, kiddo - there's lots of support here on these cluster message boards and please do come visit us over at clusterheadaches.ca! :)

Title: Re: longest one ever - is this normal?
Post by layframe on Apr 24^th, 2006, 10:40am

thanks alot margi...I'm sorry to hear your husband has this too. I've only had them for about 4 months as far as I know. I do have a extremely high tolerance for pain so it could have been longer, but doubtful. Yeah I do have glaucoma too...LOL I guess I'm just getting old quick. Blown back, glaucoma and cluster migraines...soon i'll probally be walking with a cane and a oxyagen mask and IV. Well good to hear from someone who use to live in the area. I'll talk to ya later and thanks to everyone who's given me some insight on this issue!

Title: Re: longest one ever - is this normal?
Post by D_Robinson on Apr 24^th, 2006, 12:32pm

Dragnlance,

Thanks,

David

Title: Re: longest one ever - is this normal?
Post by Ree on Apr 24^th, 2006, 1:49pm

Hi there... Migraine sufferer here. It sounded like a Migraine. 9 hours is common for my untreated Migraine.
Did you try to abort it?...I agree with Margi... sometimes they come back to back, and it seems extended... Or you might fall off to sleep from exhaustion and awaken with another and it seems like it never ended. Cluster Headache does not last 9 hours. And Migraine sucks as much though people here get mad when you say so... Ree

Title: Re: longest one ever - is this normal?
Post by aprilbee on Apr 24^th, 2006, 1:55pm

I, too experience the LONG CH...I just always equated it to taking too much medication and have one hell of a rebound...I always end up in the ER and get this WONDERFUL shot "coctail" ususally used to get rid of a migraine, so maybe its CH turning into a hell of a migraine, but nonetheless, I get it and go to sleep for about 8 hours and then its back on a normal CH schedule...I have the long ch about once every cycle, it sucks man, but with a supportive family, there's nothing you can't get through...sending you PF vibes and glad this last one is FINALLY over for you!

Title: Re: longest one ever - is this normal?
Post by Karla on Apr 24^th, 2006, 2:02pm

The longest one I ever had was a 5 hour one and it about killed me. There was definetly no break or let up in the pain of a kip 10 the whole time through. CH like that is highly unusuall for me but not unheard of. Maybe one like that every couple of years. I have talked to several people about this years ago and found out there was a hand full of people that had some that lasted around 5-9 hours long. Theres seemed to be more the norm tho. Mine is usually 1 1/2 hours long.
Sorry you had to go through this.

Title: Re: longest one ever - is this normal?
Post by fubar on Apr 24^th, 2006, 3:14pm

on 04/23/06 at 23:39:53, fubar wrote:

If you're worried about something more serious than a *bad* magraine, you should be seen by a medical professional. Otherwise, it sounds like a bad migraine to me.

When I wrote that, I was definitely *not* trying to belittle your headache. I'm just saying, if you are worried that it wasn't just a cluster or maybe a *bad* migraine, you should ask a doc. Clusters can seem like they last forever, and when you get them back to back, it may seem like one long headache. I have had 9-10 hours of k10 before and it redefined my concept of endurance. I know it happens. However, if I thought for 1 second that it might be 'something else', I would have gone straight to the hospital or a doctor.

Title: Re: longest one ever - is this normal?
Post by tanner on Apr 24^th, 2006, 3:32pm

Im with Lance on this I very regularly get long hits sometimes with short breaks sometimes without.

If you happen to be in an area (and have a doc willing to fight the medical establishment) get in and have an mri with contrast done during the thing. the pics won't be great because it will be impossible to stay still and not scream some of the time, but i have had this done twice once with mri and once with cat and it went a long way towards making me not worry that i was dying.
(i just wanted to)

i hope it never hits ya like that again.....tim

Title: Re: longest one ever - is this normal?
Post by Charlotte on Apr 24^th, 2006, 3:40pm

So did you get any relief?

I get both clulsters & migraines, and they are two different animals and can often occur during the same time frame.

Good luck.

Charlotte

Title: Re: longest one ever - is this normal?
Post by Ghost on Apr 24^th, 2006, 5:38pm

Only thing I have to say is.

Cluster+Normal= Does not compute!!!!!

Mike