Nope just the first time around. Not even really grinding I don't think (just a bit to get the Furysword) and I've really not been stuck much aside from O&S for maybe an hour or two. I'm just a slow and steady gamer with this guy.
I'll have to try this again, he just spammed me to death with his fire attack when I tried last. Maybe I didn't go all the way back far enough by the armor to retrigger this incident. Now I'm having trouble even getting back to the armor spot, he just seems to do so much damage even with my 95% fire resist shield up.
Yeah, I guess I should. It's just such a big time commitment when you don't have tons of gaming time. If I can knock it off in 5-10 hours I guess that is still worth it. I've got new Steam sale games that I want to get a move on though, so hopefully it will go fast.
Having fought CD a few times now... the place to fight him is at the opening near the armor. Stand back far enough that you can see his entire body and therefore see the attack animation cues. Make sure you're light enough to roll away; the guy hits like a truck, and standing up to drink estus is no solution to beating him. Hit the tentacles; he's slow to pull back, rinse and repeat.
The first time around, I was fighting the dude blind (I kept hiding behind the mountain... which his tentacle can reach through); just getting hit, drinking up, then whacking him if the arm was still there. Wasn't an easy fight!