Posted by Graham (195.92.194.72) on April 10, 2000 at 19:44:42:
Something happened today that started me thinking. I was in a bank, board to tears, waiting for someone to help me. Then, for no reason (as usual) I felt that all too familiar feeling/sensation/whatever that I was about to get an attack. Now, this isn’t unusual for me/us, but this was different. Usually, it takes around five minutes for me to confirm to myself that I will be getting an attack. Am I, aren’t I . . . . etc. After realising that I will be getting one, it usually takes another 5-10 minutes for it to develop into full blown cluster. Now this attack came on with speed. Within three minutes of the first sensation it was at kip 6 and rising. I was scared. I thought that this was going to be the 'mother' of all clusters. I went through the usual ritual of rubbing and massaging my neck, cocking my head to one side and the regulation eye poking. However, after about five minutes the pain drifted away and I felt as good as new (no snot, no tears, no head banging, cracking of my neck, cursing or coughing . . . etc!). This may be common for other sufferers but not for me! This wasn’t a very mild attack, or a shadow, it came on with full force. I almost soiled myself at the force of this thing!
As I said, this started me thinking and I realised that I had experienced this before. Extremely fast onset, extremely fast cessation. I thought some more!!!!
I decided that the most painful clusters I experience take ages to become 'full blown' and take ages to 'go off'. In fact, I would go far as to say that the faster they come on, the quicker they go off. The slower they come on, the more painful they are and the slower they are to go off.
Am I on to something, is it a phenomenon unique to myself or was it just a weird experience? I wish I knew!
Take care,
G.