My husband for the very first time (for two weeks) has woken up in the middle of the night with a headache on one side.  He can't stay in bed.  His eyes tear and he gets sniffly and I even saw him bang his head last night.  Everything points to this.  Doc has him on lortab and is sending him to an MRI.  Any suggestions to this newbie?

Hey JC. Welcome! And as we say, sorry you had to find your way here. As to first go advice, try the cluster traits and cluster quiz links to the left. A lot of stuff mimics clusters, so after the testing rules out other stuff, CHs may be the answer. If so, it isn't the end of the world. Good abortives (like energy drinks, imitrex, migranol, pred tapers, and of cours O2) can be wonderfully helpful. So too can a good preventative. Most of all, seek out a headache specialist. Read, and read, and read some more, taking notes as you go along and try and get your husband here, too. Keep us informed, and keep on believin'! lance

Welcome,Something that cant hurt until you see your doc. Im a night hitter also, try 10mg Melatonin 1 hour before bed. Buy at any drug store over the counter. Best 8 bucks I ever spent, have not had a night hit in 5/6 weeks and I always hit at night. No side affects,worth a try for a night hitter. If MRI eleninates any thing else,get to a headache specialist/nero.

Wishing you PF days.

Welcome! I'm a supporter too, so I know your focus on helping your husband. Believe me that you can help, you are not helpless, and we are here for you as well as your husband.

Hugs to you, be strong and READ! Lots of good advice on imitrex, O2 (and how to get a set up without medical O2 if need be- that is the route we went!), Melatonin, and Red Bull on the board- and that is strictly the stuff I have first hand knowledge of! So many other treatment options are out there!

Sometimes we have to be the one to research or make our sufferers try treatment options- it's a natural reaction I guess to all of their energy being taken up with surviving the hits and cycle. Sometimes you have to be captain of the team your on is all!

Welcome to the board! Sure hope it's not CH, but if it is, it's certainly not the end of the world. Start keeping a headache diary. When they start, how fast they build, how high the pain level builds, how long they stay at peak, describe the pain itself, how fast they go away, any physical traits you observe while he's getting hit, what meds do and don't help. The more detailed the better. Often with headaches the diagnosis is in the details.  If possible, get a referral to a headache specialist neuro. If it is  CH, it's a lifetime affliction, so the sooner you get hooked up with an expert the better!

Good luck and bless your heart for seeking out the board for him, we're damned fond of our supporters around here! [smiley=hug.gif]

Joe

Since you are just getting started with CH, get with a headache specialist, if at all possible. Most docs have very limited training/experience dealing with the complexities of what is a very complicated area of medicine.
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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. 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.

6. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE NEW certification program for "Headache Medicine" by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties, an independent, non-profit, professional medical organization.
        Since this is a new program, the initial listing is limited and so it should be checked each time you have an interest in locating a headache doctor.