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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Does this happen? (5 hour cluster)
        
(Message started by: coreyo87 on Apr 13^th, 2008, 12:25pm)

Title: Does this happen? (5 hour cluster)
Post by coreyo87 on Apr 13^th, 2008, 12:25pm

Hey everyone,
Last night the beast was at it's worst, It started getting at my emotions badly(possibly from the prednisone lol) I would definately say for the last 3 hours it was at a 9, the thing about this time is that it lasted from 8 pm to 1 am.. Is this normal??

Title: Re: Does this happen? (5 hour cluster)
Post by Ray on Apr 13^th, 2008, 12:31pm

My longest has been about 3 hours. I'd guess that this is unusual, but not unheard of.

Sorry that the beast beat you up so badly.

Ray

Title: Re: Does this happen? (5 hour cluster)
Post by E-Double on Apr 13^th, 2008, 3:08pm

In April '05 I had a day that was back to back 9ers including one that I couldn't break for nearly 4 hours.

That sent me to the hospital for the first time where I begged to be knocked out...they couldn't.

I was left stoned and in pain.

It does happen but on average Clusters will last anywhere from 20min to an hour if un aborted.

Be well

Title: Re: Does this happen? (5 hour cluster)
Post by mummymac on Apr 13^th, 2008, 4:00pm

My longest was about 3.5 hours at 9/10 during a cycle the other year, before I had access or knowlage to any abortives.

All I remember is that I learnt how to fly high oh so vey high on the pain , I do not think I could have been higher if I had been on drugs and was this was also my worst hit , left me a quivvering heap that took forever to recover from.

I am sorry you are having such a bad time of it .

Title: Re: Does this happen? (5 hour cluster)
Post by purpleydog on Apr 13^th, 2008, 4:47pm

My hits, untreated, or in high cycle, will last 3 to 3 1/2 hours. So, no, your time doesn't sound unusual to me. I'm very sorry they go on that long for you.

Title: Re: Does this happen? (5 hour cluster)
Post by mc_ashes on Apr 13^th, 2008, 5:04pm

The worst of my life came on 19 Feb 2008, it was ~4 hr long, started at work and finally ended in the local ER sucking down O2. From that point I knew I had to get O2 in the house. Finally, on 8 Apr, an MM tank graces the master suite. ;)

Your tougher than me, to take it for 5 hours without seeking outside help, sorry you had to go through that :'(. Hope you get some relief real soon.

Mark

Title: Re: Does this happen? (5 hour cluster)
Post by mezza on Apr 14^th, 2008, 10:56pm

You sure are tough- I'm pretty wimpy myself- :-[ I turn to abortives too quickly probably- Longest HA i've had was 2 hours about 1 week into this cycle - for me a 9 or 10- this was pre oxygen and imitrex nasal didn't get it - got pretty desperate, took another imitrex nasal and told my husband that if it wasn't gone in another 10 min to call the ambulance! I was slightly worried that i might die of a heart attack taking two imitrex within such short time span- but the pain was unbearable to me-

So with that said- 5 hours!!! WOW - you are way tougher than me!

Title: Re: Does this happen? (5 hour cluster)
Post by brewcrew on Apr 15^th, 2008, 9:04am

It's happened to me three times so far - a K8-9 hit that lasts 4 hours or so, unresponsive to triptans, O2, anything. Each time it has come within a week of the end of my cycle (the first two of which were 18-month-long chronic periods).

Now I think I'll have to welcome it next time, because so far it has meant I am near the end.

Title: Re: Does this happen? (5 hour cluster)
Post by George_J on Apr 15^th, 2008, 9:35am

This response is going to be far too long, but...

An untreated 8 or above can sometimes last a couple of hours or more for me. When that happens, it's not a constant high, piercing burn, though--it peaks and subsides...peaks and subsides. From an 8 or a 9, say, then down to a 5 or 6, then back up to an 8 or 9.

I end up pacing and whining during the peaks--then coming full stop when it subsides--then up and pacing again.

An attack like that often leaves a nasty afterburn that can last for hours. It makes me feel as if I've been beaten up from the inside, and then poisoned. It completely wears me out. I only get that sort of attack in mid-cycle.

So (for me at least) an attack with afterburn can last for 5 hours--but the actual soul-killing part never has lasted for more than a couple of hours.

If it did, I'm sure I'd end up in the emergency room--and after some of the experiences I had with that, years ago, I'd almost rather cut my own head off with a herring.

Best wishes,

George

Title: Re: Does this happen? (5 hour cluster)
Post by darknight on Apr 15^th, 2008, 9:37am

Hey Corey,

Ive only ever had one attack that lasted over 3 hours, it was before i was diagnosed and seriously though my head would explode, needless to say my wife panic stricken drove me to A&E who seem to have the brightest of lights. I was taken through injected with something not sure what and had to stay for observation although within minutes of the injection my head was fine.
Since then i have had a couple last up 3 hrs but nothing as bad as that first time.

What preventatives do you take or have taken?

PFD's ;)

Title: Re: Does this happen? (5 hour cluster)
Post by Jzero on Apr 15^th, 2008, 12:42pm

Hi coreyo87, I sure hope you've not had a repeat of the 12th thru 13th. I'm right there with you on this one. I tend to get long ones thru each of my cycles.
I'm just (fingers crossed), coming out of a 7 week-er after a 3 year break (from Clusters at least), but in my 6th week I had my worst attack in 23 years. I didn't know they could get any more painful!!
I was yelling for 6 hours and nothing would abort it. I'm sure it had to rate a 10, for I'd thought I'd had 10's before, but obviously not. My temple actually swelled out and right across to my eye and I was genuinely thinking my head was going to burst from the pain and pressure.
It started by waking me at 11 p.m. and ended sometime after 5 a.m.
The day poked my eye with Cluster stabs and short attacks. I was too weak to do anything and felt completely washed out.
I was afraid to try and sleep the next night, but finally drifted off, only to wake up 45 minutes later to another vicious attack lasting 4 hours.
After this next attack my Cluster began weakening over the next week, but I was getting migraines when I wasn't getting Clusters.
I've not had a Cluster attack for 3 days now, but I still have the migraines. They're not as bad as CH of course but they still pack a wallop and after the long Cluster Cycle I still feel drained and it feels like the migraines are just walking freely in and out of the 'door' that the Cluster paved the way for.
So, coreyo87, while it might not be typical, it does happen. Over in the 'Gettin' to know ya' thread, you'll find a post from another newbie (besides me), called Argonaut, she also recently dealt with a 6 hour hit.

It's like torture, it's unfair and it stinks - but somehow... we do it! We get through. YOU DID!! You battled the beast in yet another round. So hang in there coreyo87! Along with everyone else, I'm thinking of you and you're not altogether alone.
My thoughts and wishes for this cycle to pass from you soon. You have my respect and sympathy.
Regards, Jzero

Title: Re: Does this happen? (5 hour cluster)
Post by lionsound on Apr 15^th, 2008, 1:29pm

I've been slammed for hours on end as well. But i know that's sometimes "normal" for me.

Please remember to write it down, and if it's new for you call or ask your doc about it.

Title: Re: Does this happen? (5 hour cluster)
Post by coreyo87 on Apr 15^th, 2008, 10:27pm

Thanks everyone for your experiences/info

Jzero.. Thanks so much, your post just puts into words how much those of us who suffer w/ these kinds of headaches will get thru them no matter how much of a toll they may have in short term.. Down with the beast! ;;D

Title: Re: Does this happen? (5 hour cluster)
Post by Crappy on Apr 16^th, 2008, 12:24am

Corey,

I've had that many times before I had any preventatives that worked. Normally I get 4 separate attacks a 7, 9, 11, and 1am, lasting up to 2 hours each. Sometimes the 9 & 11pm hits would merge together, so while I would feel it drop to a 7 for a short period, it would ramp back up. The last time I wrapped my body in a blanket and rolled around with my face pressed against the nice, freezing cold concrete screaming and crying. When I "came to," I saw that it had been 3.5 hours at a 9, with probably an hour of pain on either end. I had concrete burn on my temple for 2 days.

I think the saving grace of those long torture sessions is that our mind isn't equipped to remember them fully. Most of my memory the next day was spotty, with almost just the "intellectual" knowledge of how bad it had been. Thank God for the limitations of memory!

Title: Re: Does this happen? (5 hour cluster)
Post by Jzero on Apr 16^th, 2008, 5:57am

You're more than welcome coreyo87 - now, if only we could find the beast's lair (Yep, there's a plan developing).
Maybe our collective consciousness could take him from behind! Grapple with his horns! RIP them off! Stick one up his nose - the other in HIS eye!! Give him a blast of these [smiley=bigguns.gif] !!! and some of these [smiley=finger.gif] a hell of a lot of this [smiley=bash.gif] followed with [smiley=stfu.gif] and then we'll disarm and disable him. Collectively give him a kick up his hairy ass, with such force that he'll pass like a rocket above and beyond this universe, never to be seen, felt or heard of again!!! [smiley=sayyes.gif]

Like you said coreyo87:
'Down with the beast!'[smiley=cool2.gif] [smiley=thumb.gif]

Title: Re: Does this happen? (5 hour cluster)
Post by MJ on Apr 16^th, 2008, 12:37pm

Long ago when I medicated for CH 4 hour attacks were fairly common.
Attempted aborts with oxygen not only did they last longer but were more intense. I am the odd man out.

Med free I allways got a short break between hits for many years and very seldom did a hit last more than 2 hours.

Title: Re: Does this happen? (5 hour cluster)
Post by KatzPurr on Apr 18^th, 2008, 2:14am

In my case, when a ch cycle begins the HA's range from just shadows that go away up to a Kip 4/5 and only last 10 min. to maybe an hour. As the days and weeks pass they build in intensity and frequency until they peak. That's when I know I have anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks of pure hell to endure. At that point, my ch can be easily a Kip 7 through 10 and last up to 4 hours.

Now this is the part where I cannot always ascertain if it is one distinct ch or more than one back to back, but my worst hit was definitely a 10 and lasted at least 6 hours. If I count the after pain then the ch lasted another 2 hours. I did take oral Imitrex, Oxycodone, Indocin, and drank RedBull during this hit, but it went from a 0 to 10 like a freight train passing by, so there really wasn't any time for the meds to kick in. I didn't have any Imitrex injections or O2 and was sweating profusely with my left eye tearing like a downpour. At some point, I was rolling around on the floor, but it certainly didn't help any. As others have stated, because the pain was so severe, I think my mind left my body at times in order to cope, but I would come out of my trance still in agony.

With a new arsenal at my disposal, I hope to never go the distance with the beast like that ever again. So while most have not had a ch last that long, it is possible and does happen. I hope an pray for you to have PFDAN soon!

Title: Re: Does this happen? (5 hour cluster)
Post by beachmusic on Apr 18^th, 2008, 8:18am

Coreyo,

Back before I had any meds or new what to do or how to treat it happened to me also.

I can really sympathize :'( I don't know how you managed. After many tears I wound up in the ER. First time I got lucky and was seen right away but the second time the wait was so long I left almost immediatly . I felt certain everyone in there felt I was a rape victim anyway as I huddled in corner sobbing.

You def. need a plan~~~~ re: treatment etc...
Wishing you PFDAN :)

Mary Ann

Title: Re: Does this happen? (5 hour cluster)
Post by jjslugdog on Apr 28^th, 2008, 2:32am

I've been to the ER 3 times with one that lasted over an hour. I was charge nurse in CCU, which was right next to the ER, and I knew everyone in there. I was treated like a seeker by those a$$holes. I got my doc to Rx 150mg of injectable Demerol, 3 doses, to keep at home. That would knock me out, and when I'd wake, it'd be gone. An hour of an 8-10 is about all I can handle, then I start flirtin' with my pistol.

Title: Re: Does this happen? (5 hour cluster)
Post by StressFree on Apr 29^th, 2008, 11:46pm

Unfortunately I can totally relate to the extended high KIP level cluster experience. I've had this occur, as did BrewCrew, toward end of cycles. Also, as George mentioned, mine did ebb slightly for short periods during this extremely long period. It seems to me what is happening is that multiple hits end up blending together. At high KIP levels this is truly unbearable. Hang in there. Hopefully it does indicate an end to your cycle as well. Rich

Title: Re: Does this happen? (5 hour cluster)
Post by michael on May 1^st, 2008, 10:17am

Without meds, most of my attacks are 4 hours or more.
In fact I was suprised when I found this site and read 45 mins to 2 hours was the norm.

Mike

Title: Re: Does this happen? (5 hour cluster)
Post by gore2424 on May 3^rd, 2008, 12:24am

I have been chronic since Nov. 1999 and I have a base line headache 3-4 24/7 365 days a year. Anytime it gets to 7-up I take my shots and in about 5-15 minutes it will go right back down to my 3-4 pain level 95% of the time . And after 20-30 minutes I can get back to life even drive a car or mow the yard. Terry

Title: Re: Does this happen? (5 hour cluster)
Post by ak_baumgard on May 13^th, 2008, 9:43am

Dear Corey, I usually average 10 out of 30 days a month with intense CH's, they often wake me at 4 a.m. Since I've had these for over 10 years and I log times, medication,etc. I can verify that I have had 5 hr plus ones. That's when I say "I'm glad i don't have a gun in the house" The really severe ones have me so drained of energy and feel-good brain chemicals that I hate myself and then have spiritual and psychological uphill climbs to get back to my "real" self.

I've been on every medication known, except oxygen and I hate mostly(besides the soul numbing pain) the feeling of being helpless!

Title: Re: Does this happen? (5 hour cluster)
Post by Brew on May 13^th, 2008, 9:53am

on 05/13/08 at 09:43:49, ak_baumgard wrote:

I've been on every medication known, except oxygen...

You should consider fixing that. It's a godsend for most around here.

Title: Re: Does this happen? (5 hour cluster)
Post by Transamdoug on May 15^th, 2008, 12:00am

Just had a 6 hour daylight bout with the beast last weekend, very rare in the day for me, as many of the others it varied from 7-10k, finally went to the ER, got 02 and IV for 3hours. Passed out after 5 minutes of the O2 and slept on my back in the bed. BIG mistake! They let me go after the 3 hours and I had an 8 in the car on the way home 5 minutes later! Had to laugh despite the pain! I cant get near horizontal when in cycle, haven't seen a bed in 3 months! Hang in there...your not alone.