Great Question/Topic which deserves more attention . 

I was very fortunate that my ENT had some basic knowledge about CH.  I had gone to her 3x for what I thought was major sinus infection.  After a CAT scan she finally concluded that there was no sinus problem which could explain the excruciating pain I was experiencing and suggested I see a Neuro to investigate possible CH. What a lifesaver!

It is amazing to me how closely CH can mimic sinus problems (and also dental issues) and I was very lucky indeed to have an ENT who had basic knowledge about CH.

As to triggers, its hard for me to tell what comes first -- the CH or the sinus problems.  Even when I am not in cycle I do have some minor CH-type pains which affect my sinuses, so for me I *think* it is more a case of CH provoking the sinus issue, but cannot be entirely sure.

Good luck, be interested to hear what you doc says.

Forgot to add -- a fairly standard treatment for serious sinus problems is a prednisone taper; a happy coincidence for CH suffers who are mistakenly being treated for sinus problems.

With MCV, et al, in Richmond, surely you are not having a problem finding 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.

Just got back from the ENT surgeon.  He was able to get some crusties out of my ear, but it didn't help with the pain, pressure, or dizziness.  He recommended antibiotics + pain medicine, but seemed puzzled as to why I am having this pain as there were no signs of infection.  I'm guessing CH must be up to its usual, "referred-pain" tricks.  Just took the first hydrocodone pill.

If this is CH in a weird form, I'll know shortly.  Narcotics never work for CH for me. 

Haha, TJMBeav... I hear ya on the narcotics side-effects re: "cheer me up".  I wish that were true for me, but they most often just cause a "paradoxical effect"... I tend to get hyper, nervous, and insomniac.

Oh no, I need to clarify here.  I was just empathizing about desiring narcs to "cheer up", not condoning.  I was probably a bit too flippant.  Personally, I have not ever done well with opiates.  They tend to make me feel pretty bad, actually.