Hi guys.

I'm John from "blighty" and I've only just been driven to googling for info, which has led me to this wonderful community  :)

I've just celebrated half a century on this planet and my earliest memories of what I now presume are CH, were only about 15 years ago. A blinding pain in the right eyebrow area, which extended deeply around the back of the eye, causing it to water. It first came on for about a 5 day period and at the time I was worried it might indicate the onset of a brain tumor, though I chickened out of going to see the Dr. Since then, its only hit me every few years, though I never kept records, so I'm guessing.

Well it came on about a week ago and even a few sips from a small glass of scotch, just before bedtime would start my right eye twitching. Then about 5 mins later, the headache would start and it would persist for an hour or so, keeping me awake in bed, despite dropping two paracetamol. I would then make it through the night, but it would kick in again about 8:00am and last for an hour or so.

I realized after two days that the booze was indeed a trigger, so for the past few days, I've made  it through most nights without being woken up. However, it has still been coming on at breakfast time and today lasted for a good three hours.

I've still not been to the Dr's as I'm hoping it might burn out this second week, but I realize these episodes can get more frequent as time goes on. If it doesn't go next week, I think I'll be seeking some kind of medication.

Thanks to you all for creating this forum and I'm looking forward to reading up here, as opposed to all the ignorance and disinformation floating around the web  ;D

Haven't been out in the mid-day sun have we? Dr Noel Coward had much to say about the dangers of such profligacy!

Importantly, anyone getting nasty headaches needs to get it checked out as there could be bad things occurring within the old bonce. Any responsible doctor will organise an MRI for you, along with other tests, and this really matters. Likely it'll turn out to be something simple and we'll help you every inch of the way regardless.

Now break my heart completely and say it was a really good Scotch you got cheated out of.



(Sounds of quiet sobbing from down under...)

Hi John and welcome

Hopefully it's not CH, but working out stuff like this is where you need a good neurologist or even better a headache specialist. As Brian said this is something where you need to work through a series of tests to work out what is happening and why. It's something that people here have all gone through, so if you've questions then ask away.

If it is CH then you've found a treasure trove of information and experience about anything and everything to do with CH.

Keep us updated...

Your headaches have an almost random quality to them. Simply impossible to diagnose what is going on based on what you have written but, in any case, this is a far mosre complex areas of medicine than is generally appreciated.

Find a good headache doc:

LOCATING HEADACHE SPECIALIST

1. 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.

2.  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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.
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If you plan to spend some time with us:

Please tell us where you live. Follow the next line to a message which explains why knowing your location and your medical history will help us to help you.

                       CLUSTER HEADACHE HELP AND SUPPORT › GETTING TO KNOW YA › NEWBIES, HELP US...HELP YOU

Hi John

There's only one place to go mate & that's the City of London Migraine clinic, sorry it's now called the national migraine clinic.

nationalmigrainecentre(dot)org(dot)uk Don't for get to stick 3 "W's" first. Sorry it won't let me post web links

They'll sort you out & give your doctor a medication regime for you as well.

Pete

You have an excellent support group: make contact to help navigate your health care system.

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

My earlier comment about you attacks having an almost random quality to them raises a question of whether it's Cluster or not. There are a number of disorders which mimic Cluster but which are not headache disorders. A good diagnostic work-up is essential before you start talking about how to treat.