Each cluster headache attack typically lasts between 15 minutes and 1½ hours, but can go on for as long as three hours or more.1 Cluster headache bouts can average about two per day but can occur eight or more times in a single day.3 Most people with cluster headaches experience them in “bouts” of six to eight weeks long, typically in the spring and fall. Some patients have “chronic” cluster headache with no notable relief from attacks.
In contrast to a migraine sufferer, cluster patients are restless and can become agitated during an attack. Most are unwilling to lay down and prefer to pace about or sit and rock back and forth.6 Exerting pressure on the painful area with a hand or placing an icepack over the painful eye is common.
Campbell JL. Facial pain due to migraine and cluster headache. Semin Neurol. 1988;8(4):324-331.
Nappi, G. Accompanying symptoms of cluster attacks: their relevance to the diagnostic criteria. 1992 Jun;12(3):165-8.
Dodick, et al. Cluster headache. Cephalalgia. 2000 Nov;20(9):787-803.
Beck, et al. Management of Cluster Headache. Am Fam Physician.2005 Feb 15;71(4):717-724.