My sister was diagnosed with cluster headaches a few weeks ago. On one of her little better days, she sat down to play the piano and she thought she was playing the right notes, but it didn't come out that way.  Does this sound like something cluster headaches do to you?  She is still having that problem.  (But she is also still having the headaches)

Possible but not likely if the problem continues for several days plus in the absence of CH attacks. Still, this is an interesting report.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2005 Apr;9(2):109-12.  
Cognitive processing in cluster headache.

Evers S.

Department of Neurology, University of Munster, Albert-Schweitzer-Str. 33, 48129 Munster, Germany. everss@uni-muenster.de.

[Edited for length.] In neuropsychologic evaluations, a reversible decline of memory processing was detected during the cluster attack, but not between two attacks. Long-term observation revealed no progressive cognitive decline in cluster headache patients over the years. With regard to personality changes, a liability susceptibility to anxiety disorders and to hypochondriasis, but not to mood changes, has been described inconsistently. All changes in alterations of cognitive processing in cluster headache are demonstrated to be mild and do not relevantly contribute to the clinical picture of this disease.

Publication Types:
Review

PMID: 15745620 [PubMed]

During CH episode, I generally feel unwell and my focus is much lower. My selective attention also becomes limited.

I play music too and I dont play when I am in an episode I just can't focus properly on it because I am constantly monitoring for the next hit which are random so I cannot predict them and I have constant shadows.

Maybe that is too simplistic an answer but thats how it affects me.

Best wishes,

Ellick.

Hmm, I've noticed anything like that (also play piano from time to time and I am chronic). Still it's quite interesting.

Hmm...I'd suggest talking to her neurologist, and asking if they found this in any other patients.

You might also want to make sure she doesn't have an ear infection, just to be sure that's not the culprit.

I used to play multiple instruments... But, a different neurological disease screwed that all to hell. They can have an effect on things like that, so I'd make sure that the neuro knows, and possibly request a CT scan / MRI to make sure everything is alright.

When I'm in a hit, none of my motor skills works very well except walking (or an occasional crawl).  Concentration is shot.  But I have no issues between hits.  But we are all different.

I would suggest discussing with the doc.  He should know better than us.  I hope all goes well for you.

Jon