Hello
Has your husband seen a headache specialist? That should be top on the list. Sorry he is having a rough time but glad he has you!

Did he go 2 years without pain? I would get him to a Neurologist ASAP. Its impossible to tell by some brief descriptions, and I don't mean to cause alarm, yet a brain tumor is a possibility. I'm not a dr, so take my advice with a grain of salt. just trying to convey the seriousness of getting some professional medical help.

if only "for the heck of it", you could try Batch's Anti-Inflammatory Preventative Regimen for Cluster Headache. Its possible its effective for Migraines also, but that's my mere guess.

It helped me in 2 days, and I've been pain free since. One could argue that most people should be taking these vitamins, and it costs under $50 to get started.

Omega 3 Fish Oil - 2000 to 2400 mg/day (EPA 360 mg/day, DHA 240 mg/day)
Vitamin D3 *      - 10,000 IU/day
Calcium **         - 500 mg/day (calcium citrate preferred)
Magnesium         - 400 mg/day (magnesium citrate or magnesium gluconate)
Vitamin K ***     - 120 mcg/day
zinc                    -   10 mg/day
Boron                 -     1 mg/day   

This regimen can be taken any time of the day, but it's best taken in the morning with an 8-oz glass of lemonade, limeade, or any fruit juice high in citric acid sweetened with with a little honey.  Honey is a natural source of Boron, which is listed as one of the "cofactors" along with magnesium, vitamin K and zinc.

How about Oxygen? I'd assume he hasn't tried it. I'm not sure about the situation, but I'd even consider a trip to the ER, if you can't see a Dr relatively soon.

keep us posted, and best of luck.

Also, it might be Tension headaches, or perhaps Sinus Headache. Due to a sinus infection perhaps. Do Painkillers help at all?

Ouch on the $600 bill.
If painkillers were helping, I'd suggest its not CH's. Its easy to assume they help a CH, even though they don't even touch them, due to the fact that CH's only last an hour roughly.

Also since you said the pain is always present, would suggest its not CH.

I'd suggest he try some meditation, its great at relieving stress and pain, especially if its Tension headache related. If I had to guess, I'd say it is Tension HA, yet I wouldn't think that's the only issue.

Youtube has some good videos to help you meditate.

Headache is a complex area of medicine and most GPs don't know how to diagnose or treat. (Several studies show that some folks take years to find a solid diagnosis/treatment as they wander from doc to doc.)

Pain meds will not work for Cluster and increasing the frequency of use tends to increase the rate of attacks--but without benefit.

It's not wise to start self-directed treatment without having a good diagnosis. It's possible to mask pain but also to make it difficult/impossible for a good doc to make an accurate diagnosis. There are many problems which mimic Cluster but which can be rather serious conditions, hence, need for solid diagnosis.

Our regular suggestion is a headache specialist:

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. 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.

I agree on the idea that you need a Neuro with real experience to get a good diagnosis...And I wouldn't assume that they are migraines just because opiates work (some people, including me have found opiates to be able to get rid of a cluster) OR because of cluster lasting longer than typically noted...Hell mine will last all day and night unless I bust them with something...and my headache specialist has most definitely diagnosed me with clusters.

Cluster Quiz located yellow tab, left side of screen. Results from taking quiz should provde a starting point to differentiate Migraine VS Cluster Headaches.

OUCH website located yellow tab, left side of screen.  Click on area for recommended doctors (in your state, your country) who are familiar with CH's.

Hi

Sounds like me I have chronic daily migraine and cluster headache if you want to discuss this further let me know but I know those symptoms very well and I can't necessarily stop them but sometimes knowing you are not the only crazy person helps?

Let me know