Hi Everyone
This sight seems like a great resource, thank you to everyone who keeps up with it! I live in Atlanta, GA. I have been diagnosed with cluster headaches a year and half ago when I was 27. They started when I was 18 and I had them once around 22-24 and did not know what they were until 27. I had a break from 27 until last week (I am now 28 and almost 29) so that would be around a year and half. I am a healthy female and I do not smoke. For the past two weeks they have been back (always when I am sleeping, waking me up with a full blown headache on the right side) but I have been lucky to have several day breaks in between some. Last night was pretty bad (happened around 1am and lasted until 3:30 INTENSE pain) I took an imitrix right away and it seemed to take forever to kick in. Finally around 4:20 I feel back asleep. No more cluster headaches today but just alot of general numbness throbbing and pain on my right side including my ears jaw and teeth (all day). I have taking ibuprofen today but the throbbing does not go away at least it isnt an Attack. I do have a weird symptom that concerns me and this is what prompted me to write on this sight-
my right hand has been numb ALL DAY. this never has happened before and I am worried that I had a mini stroke (I am freaking my self out on the internet reading). IS it possible to have both clusterheads and stroke - or confuse the two? I have all the classic signs of cluster headache but the numbness is starting to freak me out because it has not subsided. I am considering going to the ER but not sure. I have an appointment with the neurologist I saw when I was 27 but I cant see him until 8/23 which is far away. I am going to try to get the imitrex spray and oxygen because the pills take to long to kick in and seem like they make me feel off (left shoulder locks up and I hallucinate and feel numb) but at least it sorta helps with the attack.  Any advice would be appreciated! thank you so much!

Becasue of subtle variations in the experience of Cluster it's impossible to look at one symptom in isolation.

Given the nature of Cluster, you'll be living with it for years, often treatment changing as your body and the disorder changes. Which means, plan on a long term relationship with a good headache specialist, someone you can like and respect because he'll be a part of your life for many moons. There is no final cure but we work to learn how to manage it so preserve the overall quality of our life.
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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.

catjane,

I'm not posting this to try and scare you, but simply to make you aware.

I also have had CH since I was 18.  At 36 I suffered the same type of numbness you describe.  I was diagnosed as having a stroke and subsequently diagnosed with a rare vascular disorder called Moyamoya Disease.  You can read more info on my story with that at Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or Two brain surgeries later, I'm all good.

I would strongly suggest you have imaging tests done to see if you've suffered any stroke and more importantly, any narrowing or blockages in the arteries that supply blood to the brain.

Hope this helps and hang in there,

DJ

Catjane, if you described the numbness you are feeling and are worried about sroke, did your doctor say why the MRI was not forthcoming? I ask because MRI's tend to be one of the first tests run for CHs in order to rule out other more dangerous conditions...like stroke. And if you can't take imitrex, try Migranal nasal spray. It's not a triptan and maybe it will work for you. It does for me. God bless. lance

Curious to hear about your results with the oxygen... make sure you read the Oxygen Info link... it is critical to administer correctly.