Are you already in pain?

More often than not, when I wake up with a CH in the middle of the night, I have noticed that at the time I wake, I am not actually having any pain. Sometimes I lie awake for a few moments wondering why I woke up. And then it hits, that sensation behind the eye. A few more moments to try to convince myself it isn't happening again, then the dark realization that I'd better hop out of bed fast to hit the O2.

This is curious to me. If it isn't the actual pain that wakes me up, what is it? Is there something triggering in my sub-conscious? Something I am unaware of but my brain is aware of? Perhaps a change in brain chemistry or in electrical patterns that comes right before the pain starts. Is there anything in the current CH theory that might explain this?

Nope. I'm in pain by the time I wake up.

Me too

I usually wake with a shadow (K2-4). I know to hit the floor (better not lay there and think about it) and get some coffee or O2 down me immediately and can usually abort before it gets worse.

Might try that. I've found that if I lay there it's going to rev up into a full blow hit.

Hugs BD :-*

Generally when I wake up I have a quality shadow forming so I know it's time to hit the bricks and begin my ritual of trying to get rid of the headache before it blows up into something unmanageable.  I will say, however, in the middle of my cycle I find it hard to get out of bed quickly since I'm so tired from lack of sleep.

The attacks that hit me while asleep are a b*tch, as they have a good head start, well beyond shadows.  Since the Beast likes to strike in REM, I'm usually very groggy when these attacks wake me, and it often takes a minute or two to realize who's knocking (and accept the dread), then I hit the O2 fast.

Fox

I'm like Fox...only dumber! I sleep really deeply so when a CH starts, I dream I'm having an attack, dream I'm starting the 02, dream it's not working!!! By the time my dumb arse realizes it's not a dream I'm already getting my butt kicked!

It's funny for the first 20 years I NEVER had a night time wake up hit, those didn't start until I reached my 40's.

Joe

u aint no dumb ass bro!!! the "beast is the dumb ass!

I'm in pain by the time I wake up too.   Like Joe, I dream that I'm getting hit and don't realize that I really am.  This just happened to me this morning.  ( Another random hit???? )   It took the 02 longer to work. 

Jeannie

ETA:  Since I'm new to using 02 I'm finding it hard to focus on sitting and breathing instead of my usual CH ritual.    This morning's hit was pretty good.  I'm using the non re-breather mask still.  It's  difficult to concentrate on breathing, cover the holes to inhale, uncover them to exhale, pull my hair, press on my face and keep ice on myself all at the same time.  How do you break those habits?

You don't have to sit....

But you do need to get an O₂ptimask.

Jeannie wrote on Jan 21^st, 2010 at 2:42pm:

I'm in pain by the time I wake up too.   Like Joe, I dream that I'm getting hit and don't realize that I really am.  This just happened to me this morning.  ( Another random hit???? )   It took the 02 longer to work.  Jeannie ETA:  Since I'm new to using 02 I'm finding it hard to focus on sitting and breathing instead of my usual CH ritual.    This morning's hit was pretty good.  I'm using the non re-breather mask still.  It's  difficult to concentrate on breathing, cover the holes to inhale, uncover them to exhale, pull my hair, press on my face and keep ice on myself all at the same time.  How do you break those habits?

I have my O2 ready to go and checked out everything that came with the Optimask, but found more comfort with the mouthpiece.  No mask to worry about, period.  I have a beard so it will probably be the better choice.  Next cycle will be my first using O2.

If I get hit at night I usually wake up with a shadow, which gives me time to hit the O2 or Trex before it gets too bad.  I'm a light sleeper so the slighted thing will wake me anyway.  This cycle I've been waking up every 2 hours to go to the bathroom so I haven't been sleeping too soundly to begin with.  I guess I blame the verapamil, but I don't remember ever having this "side effect" before.  Oh well, what can you do.

When I wake-up attacks are already cranking up the volume. 

I've tried staying put and letting attacks run their course but have never been successful.  The longer I stayed put the more intense the attacks seemed to get.      

burnt-toast

Tom   

burnt-toast wrote on Jan 21^st, 2010 at 4:58pm:

When I wake-up attacks are already cranking up the volume.  I've tried staying put and letting attacks run their course but have never been successful.  The longer I stayed put the more intense the attacks seemed to get.       burnt-toast Tom

I've tried this as well.  Every once in a while - especially during peak of cycle and I'm groggy as hell - I just feel like if I lay there and concentrate on my breathing, I will be able to just kill the bastard on my own.  The net result, for me at least, is this is ALWAYS a bad decision and ends up giving me a longer, more vengeful headache.  It's almost as if I'm being punished for my lack of respect for the beast. 

Jeannie wrote on Jan 21^st, 2010 at 2:42pm:

I'm in pain by the time I wake up too.   Like Joe, I dream that I'm getting hit and don't realize that I really am.  This just happened to me this morning.  ( Another random hit???? )   It took the 02 longer to work.  Jeannie ETA:  Since I'm new to using 02 I'm finding it hard to focus on sitting and breathing instead of my usual CH ritual.    This morning's hit was pretty good.  I'm using the non re-breather mask still.  It's  difficult to concentrate on breathing, cover the holes to inhale, uncover them to exhale, pull my hair, press on my face and keep ice on myself all at the same time.  How do you break those habits?

Instead of trying to cover the holes, I squeeze the bag lightly so that there is always a little positive pressure in the mask when I breath in.

But I did order the high-end mask from this site, so I expect that will work a lot better. It isn't here yet.

changeing the subject abit, but getting hit at night is so more didnifided then getting hit at a diner party. Its getting hard to explain the WHATS UP WITH YOU ACTED

Brew wrote on Jan 21^st, 2010 at 2:52pm:

You don't have to sit.... But you do need to get an O2ptimask.

Just ordered it. [smiley=thumb.gif]

I hear you Dazza....after 31 years I'm still very private with my CH, I always find a hiding place! It's so much easier then trying to explain CH...."It's like trying to tell a stranger bout Rock N' Roll!"

Joe

Guiseppi wrote on Jan 22^nd, 2010 at 10:55am:

I hear you Dazza....after 31 years I'm still very private with my CH, I always find a hiding place! It's so much easier then trying to explain CH...."It's like trying to tell a stranger bout Rock N' Roll!" Joe

There's a more than a little of his Dad in that boy ;)

I don't get hit much at night.  But when I do, it always has a running start on me.  9 out of 10 time that I have to resort to Imitrex injections it's because of a night time hit.

-Dennis-

Revolvr wrote on Jan 20^th, 2010 at 11:26pm:

Are you already in pain? More often than not, when I wake up with a CH in the middle of the night, I have noticed that at the time I wake, I am not actually having any pain. Sometimes I lie awake for a few moments wondering why I woke up.

I wish this happened to me.  I'm in moderate and climbing pain by the time I wake.  In the past I have just fought it out.  Hopefully jumping on the O2 will help next cycle.

I would assume it takes more O2 when in a full blown night attack?

Chad wrote on Jan 22^nd, 2010 at 1:21pm:

I would assume it takes more O2 when in a full blown night attack?

Yup.  Same as any attack that advances fast, before I can get to the O2, the ones that wake me in mid/full force are harder to knock down.  The earlier, the better, but when asleep I miss the early signs, and the Beast can really rev up.

Fox

Fox wrote on Jan 22^nd, 2010 at 2:03pm:

Yup.  Same as any attack that advances fast, before I can get to the O2, the ones that wake me in mid/full force are harder to knock down.  The earlier, the better, but when asleep I miss the early signs, and the Beast can really rev up. Fox

I hear you LOUD and CLEAR on that
Fox.  It's usually too late when I awake.  The pain is too far up the scale if you know what I mean....

Most of you seem to be sleeping heavier than I do. When I'm on an episode I don't sleep very well. But I'm also not taking anything to help me sleep except 9mg Melatonin.

Last night I had a good laugh at myself. I started waking up in pain, and I had three simultaneous cluster headaches. As I'm waking up, I'm thinking, OMG! How do I abort three of these things!

Then I jumped out of bed, finally really awake and I realized I wasn't in any pain at all. It was all a dream! Just to make sure, I stayed up a few minutes and raided the refrig, then back to bed.

This is tiring.

Fox wrote on Jan 21^st, 2010 at 9:04am:

The attacks that hit me while asleep are a b*tch, as they have a good head start, well beyond shadows.  fast. Fox

I'm right there with you. I am guaranteed to wake between 1:30 and 3 am, EVERY night, and am already well beyond shadows. It feels like it's the pain that wakes me.

Revolvr -- you might try upping your melatonin...  When I'm in high cycle I do that and skip the night hits (most of the time). When I'm in low cycle I lower the dose and do pretty well. (I'm chronic so I take melatonin year round). It's something to try...

Hugs BD :-*