I've posted here before and you guys were wonderful.  I feel guilty for not sticking around and trying to help other but I thought maybe if I stayed away and ignored the problem it might go away.  No such luck.  
   I had a hard time getting my mother to take me to the dr. for these headaches but she finally did and the dr gave my 100mg imitrex pills.  They didn't help fast enought so (being the ever so smart girl I am) decided to start an imitrex regimen where I would just take one twice a day.  Doc said this was a terrible idea.  I agree, but desparation is setting in.  My doctor thinks I'm just stressed so I have xanax now.  It's not really helpful when it comes to the pain.  At all.  It helps me worry less about getting headaches though.  For whatever that's worth.  
   Over the summer the headaches were practically non-existant.  About a week after school started in August I seemed to be in a constant state of head pain.  I've missed so much school this year.  Nobody seems to believe that I'm in a serious amout of pain.  I know my mother believes it hurts but I don't think she understands how much and how it can ruin your whole day.  I can't keep going on either worrying about getting a headache or having one.  
  My doctor refuses to give me a real diagnosis as she thinks the name of the headache isn't important.  
 I guess I'm looking for some suggestions or maybe just some sympathy from someone who knows this pain is real and can take over your life.  

I remember you.

I'm hoping some of the more knowledgeable members here will post information on oxygen.  It sounds as if you're not being treated with this (very effective) abortive.  It works for around seventy percent of us, and will end an acute attack within a few minutes.  The side-effects are minimal.

It's worth discussing the use of oxygen to treat CH with your doctor.  You need 15 or more liters per minute with a NON-rebreather mask in order for it to be effective.

Best wishes, and welcome.

George

About a week after school started in August I seemed to be in a constant state of head pain

start with the cluster quiz to the left of this screen and get a proper diagnosis from a doctor.

                                           Good Luck To Ya
                                                 JPC

edit:  If your regular dr won't help you and you think you have cluster headaches, you will have to get to a neurologist.  Hope you get some relief soon.

I think your doctor needs to be changed.  The type of headache is CRITICALLY important to the type of treatment you get.   See if you can get a refferal to a headache specialist and get a proper diagnosis.

If it is CH, ask your parents to come here or give them a copy of the letter to friends and family (START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE )

If it is CH, make sure you don't leave your doctor (or specialist) without a script for O2.  It is the BEST 1st line of treatment.

Also, give energy drinks a try...... keep them cold and drink fast (thats how it works best for me).

Good luck in getting diagnosed properly and treating your headaches.  Anything else we can do, let us know.

An accurate diagnosis is a critical first step in establishing an effective treatment regimen. Meds which are effective for CH are worthless for other headache types and even potentially harmful.

Get a referral to a decent neuro, let's get you a solid diagnosis and then we'll help you establish an effecive routine to beat these things. Hang in there, headache pain, of any type, sucks! ;)

Guiseppi

Your doc may be trying to be cute--but not establishing a good diagnosis suggests, to me, that this doc is not for you!

LOCATING HEADACHE SPECIALIST

1. Search the OUCH site (button on left) for a list of recommended M.D.s.

2. Yellow Pages phone book: look for "Headache Clinics" in the M.D. section and look under "neurologist" where some docs will list speciality areas of practice.

3.  Call your hospital/medical center. They often have an office to assist in finding a physician. You may have to ask for the social worker/patient advocate.

4. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE  On-line screen to find a physician.

5. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE Look for "Physician Finder" search box.  Call 1-800-643-5552; they will send a list of M.D.s for your state.I suggest using this source for several reasons: first, we have read several messages from people who, even seeing neurologists, are unhappy with the quality of care and ATTITUDES they have encountered; second, the clinical director of the Jefferson (Philadelphia) Headache Clinic said, in late 1999, that upwards of 40%+ of U.S. doctors have poor training in treating headache and/or hold attitudes about headache ("hysterical female disorder") which block them from sympathetic and effective work with the patient; third, it's necessary to find a doctor who has experience, skill, and a set of attitudes which give hope of success. This is the best method I know of to find such a physician.