diff --git a/README.mkd b/README.mkd
index 3c494ed..1993b9f 100644
--- a/README.mkd
+++ b/README.mkd
@@ -10,7 +10,9 @@ To use the changes service:
 > node lib/service.js http://127.0.0.1:5984
 
 
-This will start the service, look for any design documents, and start any change listeners you've defined. It also checks every minute for new databases.
+This will start the service, look for any design documents, and start any change listeners you've defined.  It will listen for 10 minutes before the HTTP keepalive expires.
+
+It also checks every minute for new databases.
 
 To define a new listener in your design doc:
 
diff --git a/changes/lib/listener.js b/changes/lib/listener.js
index 2126b3d..7006870 100644
--- a/changes/lib/listener.js
+++ b/changes/lib/listener.js
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ var Changes = function (uri, options) {
   };
 
   var start = function () {
-    var request = c.h.request("GET", c.url.pathname+'?'+querystring.stringify(options), {'accept':'application/json'});
+    var request = c.h.request("GET", c.url.pathname+'?'+querystring.stringify(options)+'&timeout=600000', {'accept':'application/json'});
     request.addListener('response', function(response) {response.addListener('data', changesHandler);});
     request.close();
   };