Do the classic Cluster Headache guidelines need to be changed relative to the ratio of Men/Women who suffer from CH’s?

I’ve been here since ’99 and watching the folks checking in here with a diagnosis of Cluster Headache, I would have to assume that the ratio is way different than originally published.

Look at the numbers of active members on this site. (which may not be representative) Seems like women are far more prevalent than before.

I posted this question here years ago and was attacked. I’m NOT saying that women don’t get Clusters, so don't even go there!

Over the years I’ve also seen an increase in “Atypical Clusters” and “Cluster Migraines” and "Clusters with Migraines" being diagnosed more frequently.  It is my opinion that doctors who don’t know any better say “Clusters” when they are at a loss of what to do next for their suffering patient - so they hang the CH tag.

I may be way off base on these thoughts because they limited by my own experiences. So I pose the questions:

- Do Cluster Headaches in fact encompass a much wider variety of symptoms than originally believed?

- Are there many types of Cluster Headaches?

- Are CH’s far more prevalent in women than previously thought? Is there a pattern?

Nobody should have to suffer because their doctor didn’t know what they were suffering from.

Keep in mind that works both ways........

Marc

Quote:

Men = 100%
Women = 0%

I think we are definately seeing more women diagnosed than what those numbers state as a ratio. 

Also, Migraines are like a catch-all for undiagnosed or misdiagnosed headaches.  For those doctors which have never heard of clusters and know nothing about them, they think migraines in clusters = Clusterheadaches. 

I also think Cluster traits tend to be very specific and almost universal.  The runny nostril, the watery eye, only 1 sided, the distinct pain which only varies in it's intensity.  Migraine traits vary by person, which indicate most migraine sufferers each suffer with their own traits.  Some might be photosensitive, some might not.  Some might be sensitive to sound or touch or smell, others might not.  Some might get nausia, others might not.  Some get aura, some do not.  It is for this reason I think Migraine is a catch-all for many different types of headache....at least with regard to diagnosis.

Bob P wrote on Oct 29^th, 2009 at 7:10am:

According to Bob's clear example, they DO need to be changed so as not to reflect only men getting them.

Thanks for pointing out the mistake Bob!

"doctors who don’t know any better say “Clusters” when they are at a loss of what to do next for their suffering patient - so they hang the CH tag."


The other day at the dentist talking to the dental assistant she said she had a cluster headache.
I asked her to describe them and she said she blacked out at a light while driving her car and had a pretty good headache the next day.
The doc had told her that bright lights cause cluster headaches so therefore she had them. I didnt have the heart to tell her to find a new doc as she seemed pretty proud of her "cluster".