Try this approach:

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. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or ; On-line screen to find a physician.

5. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or Look for "Physician Finder" search box.  Call 1-800-643-5552; 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. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or 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.

jen in mn wrote on Feb 22^nd, 2010 at 8:15pm:

Hi Jen,

You don't have to follow Bob's list in any order - if the docs recommended on the OUCH site are proving to be difficult because of distance and rules, you can go to #2, or 4, or any of the other suggestions.  Don't have to stay stuck on #1!     The doctors may not be aware they are on the OUCH site because they are simply doctors that OUCH members/ cluster headache sufferers have had awesome experiences with, and they wanted to make sure people had the opportunity to find a good doctor if they were in the area. 
As to the issue you are having with the neuro - I have seen neuros that require recommendations and some that haven't.  There are some good ones out there that don't require you to see "their primary", there are some which require no prior visit with any GP.  Just questionnaires and a detailed first visit.  I sure hope you find a closer neurologist using one of Bob's other options if the 4-hr drive during business hours will become an issue for you, as it would for me and I drive!!  Look for that neuro who specializes in headaches as he suggests!!  I have gone back to the neurologist many times; it isn't a one-time visit treating these HAs...

Best of luck and wishing you PF soon!   

Val

I'm going to throw in something else... If you have a primary doc where you live TALK to him/her about your condition and seeing a good neuro who KNOWS about CH. He/she can do the referring.

You may have to do your own research into WHO you want to see (and the first one you see may NOT be the right one -- sometimes it takes going thru several to find one YOU can be comfortable with and who will work with YOU).

Call the neuro's office and ASK if they know about CH and how many CH patients they treat. If they're snotty with you write them off. Or have your Primary Doc call them and inquire about their experience (that's what mine did and found me a "wonderful neuro" when I had given up on them).

But in my opinion (and some will disagree) your Primary Doc is your first line of defense (or offense) in finding the right neuro. Finding the right Primary Doc (one who will "listen" to you and work with you) is VERY important.

I wish I could get you to my neuro (I've gotten everyone in our area here to him) - he's super terrific at treating CH. But one thing -- do your homework before you go to the neuro... remember YOU are your best advocate in your treatment.

Let us know how it's going...