Hi everyone,

I've never had a cluster headache, but I've been experiencing some symptoms that have me worried. I've been having temporary instances of eye watering, a slight drooping of the eyelid, congestion and a constricted pupil - all on my right side. There is no pain involved except sometimes a slight feeling of pressure. Alcohol brings it on immediately. Obviously when I Google any of this stuff I get cluster headaches, but nothing ever mentions anything about painful headaches being preceded by painless ones. Has anyone here heard of or experienced something similar? This has been happening for around 2 years.

No single sign, especially such a rare one as pain vs. painless, would lead to a diagnosis. If at all possible, find a headache specialist. Most docs, even neurologists, lack the skills need to work Clusters.

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.

It's possible that you are starting to develop SUNCT syndrome, I would suggest looking into it although finding information on SUNCT is slightly more difficult than finding CH info.
I suggest you see a neurologist for more in-depth information, treatments and possible diagnosis. Good luck, and hopefully with any luck they will remain painless.

Thanks for replying.

I'm having no luck with those links as I'm in the United Kingdom.

I'm confused. What makes you think SUNCT?

You have an excellent support group which will be better able to help you find good health care for Cluster:

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

It could be CH but it could also be multiple other things, some headache related and others not. It is impossible for people here to give a diagnosis so you need to work with a neurologist (a headache specialist if possible) to get an accurate diagnosis.

Hopefully it isn't CH, but if it is then you've found one amazing place to learn all about CH and how to deal with it.