Hello, I'm a 19 year old with no insurance so it seems the only way for me to get help is reach out to people on the web and see what they say. I don't know if what I have is actually cluster headaches and thats why I've created this post. :) so please give me all the info you can.

Symptoms:

Severe pain and pressure behind left eye and temple

Pulsing veins when I feel my temple

inability to sit still while attack is happening

sweating

very mild nausea

The first time This happened was about 2 weeks ago and it has happened during my sleep several times over the last two weeks, the pain is unbareable and it prevents me from getting a good night sleep. so if any of you could give me your personal advice that would be great. Many thanks

Hello Jazz,

The oxygen and Medical info on the left link bar is the first place to stop and loiter for a bit, there is a lot of great information to read.

Oxygen is probably the cheapest and a great fast abortive for many of us. You can obtain the O2 from a welding supply if necessary and purchase your own regulator and mask.

I can kill a nighttime hit in 10 minuets and be sawing logs in 15.

Welcome to the board!

Roland. :)

the whole Oxygen thing will be pretty easy for me seeing as my grandfather who I live close to to take care of him suffers from Emphysema so he has plenty of o2 equipment, thanks for your reply and thanks for helping me conclude my problem. Many thanks

Kody

Kody,

I will have to give you the standard get it checked out by a nero disclaimer. I’m no doctor so what you get here is only advice. The way I figure what can the O2 hurt but get it checked out.

You will need a non-rebreather (like the ones advertised with a bag on it) mask and a high flow regulator. Your grandfather’s regulator may not have the flow necessary. You need at least 15 LPM or more like 25 LPM regulator if you can get it.

Rolo. ;)

so not so much lung cancer oxygen mask but more so Crashing airplane oxygen mask I assume, thanks for all your help when I first started looking on the net, I thought I was either crazy or that it was so unheard of that there's not much I could do about it, but this site has shown me otherwise :)

'Evening, Kody, and welcome.

To reiterate what Roland said, it's important to have a definitive diagnosis.  Cluster headache is often treated differently than other headache types, and what may be effective treatment for CH may not be effective for another type of headache.  So--insurance or not, you really need to have this sorted out.  There are many different headache types, and many underlying conditions that may mimic aspects of cluster headache.

That said, while you're exploring the links at the left, take a look at the links for "cluster traits" and take the "cluster quiz".  It's no substitute for a diagnosis, but it may give you some insight into whether the headaches you're experiencing are likely to be cluster headaches or not.

Again, welcome.  

Best wishes,

George

I took the quiz and looked at the traits, as well as reading other information for the passed 10 hours seeing as my last episode was a little more intense. At first I stayed away from the possiblity of cluster headaches because of the small amount of poeple who actually have it, but after consistent research the determining factor that lead  me to ask you folks is the specific targeting of the pain in my eye and temple, the intensity which makes me pace and resort to cussing and crying, and the drooping eye. But if you think I should consult a doctor I will but from what I'm read I'm afraid I'm gonna go there and they are just gonna tell me its a sinus infection and then accomplish nothing. and I haev experienced migrains in the past and its nothing like what has been occuring the last few weeks which at first led me to think either A:Tumor or B: anuryism but after research I'm confident that this is my ailment, thanks for your thoughts and advice

Sincerely,
      Kody

Jazztastic wrote on Nov 30^th, 2008 at 1:38am:

I took the quiz and looked at the traits, as well as reading other information for the passed 10 hours seeing as my last episode was a little more intense. At first I stayed away from the possiblity of cluster headaches because of the small amount of poeple who actually have it, but after consistent research the determining factor that lead  me to ask you folks is the specific targeting of the pain in my eye and temple, the intensity which makes me pace and resort to cussing and crying, and the drooping eye. But if you think I should consult a doctor I will but from what I'm read I'm afraid I'm gonna go there and they are just gonna tell me its a sinus infection and then accomplish nothing. and I haev experienced migrains in the past and its nothing like what has been occuring the last few weeks which at first led me to think either A:Tumor or B: anuryism but after research I'm confident that this is my ailment, thanks for your thoughts and advice Sincerely,       Kody

I thought my first one was an aneurisim, or a stroke, to be honest. The reason why they suggest you get checked out is because of the fact there could be a tumor or some other underlying condition. And if that's the case, and you just assume it's cluster headaches, you end up in severe trouble, or worse, dead.

What you should do, is check around your area for the clinics for people without insurance. Most areas have these, if you go in and have them run some tests on you, they can rule out the more serious things. They may also be able to get you in with neuro that works with them.

Kody, just for peace of mind sake you should get a scan to rule a tumor out.

I thought I had cancer or an aneurism going on before I was diagnosed and you’ll never know if you don’t get it verified.

I really feel for you to get it so young. Go to da doc and get some oxygen [smiley=thumb.gif]

Yeah I'm going to look around for a low cost doctor and see what they say, thank you all for your thoughts  cuz I was just gonna ignore it and take tylenol pm before I go to sleep from now on. I'll let you all know what I find out when I do.

Sincerely,
       Kody

I can offer no suggestions regarding the health services in your country as I am in the UK but if you are able to see a doctor - go.

I am sure the folk here in your country can offer more advice on how to access a doctor.

Hope your out of pain soon.

Get some melatonin and take it at night (12-15mg) for the night hits. It helps get you thru the REM sleep where the headaches hit.

Also Red Bull or and energy drink with at least 1000 mg of taurine in it at the first sign of a CH will sometimes abort the hit.

But O2 used properly (at a high flow with the proper mask) has been the lifeline to about 70% of us here.

If you can get into a clinic and get an MRI to rule out other possibilities do so. CH is bad, but it won't kill ya - other things will. (Not trying to scare you, but you really DO need to rule out other things).

Hugs BD

1. Call doctor right away  (look for free clinic or community health center)

2.  get some energy drinks..... folllow advice on post above

3. Get all the O2 info and bring to doctor.  If the doctor thinks it is Ch, that will hasten getting O2

Good luck and PFDA.

I know that I'm putting you in a bind with this suggestion but: cheap docs, like so many of them we have (collectively) seen don't know, just don't know! Few docs have the experience and training with complex headache disorders to do a good workup/diagnosis. At least start with the following approach and see what your options are before going "cheap".
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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.

Thanks again folks, I probably won't be able to make it to the doctor for the next few days, but when I do I'll let you know what I find out. I'm going to visit my moms family doctor thing seeing as I have a past with him so I feel I'll be more understood by him. I'll let you know what I find out

Much Love,
         Kody

Just a quick update on my situation, I do suffer from insomnia and I often don't fall asleep till about 7:30 am - 11:00 (which makes work and school hard). My ch attacks usually start around 4-5 am and if I'm awake during this time I do not get them, but every night the past 2 weeks that I have gone to bed before this time I get them but if I stay awake I do not.

It could be coincidence cuz I really do not know the exact times i went to sleep through the last few weeks, I will definately be journaling my sleep.

Sincerely,
          Kody