Hi!  Sorry to hear about your daughter! Have you seen a doctor or neurologist that specializes in the symptoms your daughter is having?  I hope this site helps you, it's been really educational for my husband who is a CH sufferer.

Please tell us where you live. Follow the next line to a message which explains why knowing your location and your medical history will help us to help you.

                       CLUSTER HEADACHE HELP AND SUPPORT › GETTING TO KNOW YA › NEWBIES, HELP US...HELP YOU
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LOCATING HEADACHE SPECIALIST

1. 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.

2.  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.

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

4. 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.

5. 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.

Oh your poor daughter. Nobody deserves to have to suffer from these. I would wish these upson even a sworn enemy. I can't imagine how hard these must be on you. I know when I get my "monsters" they crush me andmake me cry. We all here know what she goes through....BELIEVE ME....WE DO! I can't fathom having to watch your child suffering from these. I know that she is 17, but I'm a grown man and they send me to the ground crying everytime. It sounds like you need to get her a more definitative diagnosis.you will be able to start her on a more effective treatment and won't waste too much time with "trial and error" treatments that don't really work. Don't pick your neuro by availability and proximity either. My closest neuro "who I deem as actually intelligent, has his office some 200+ miles away.I actually believe that a lot of the people here are more knowledgable than some of the quacks out there. Please be patient too. Medical Science has hardly scratched the surface on Migraines and CH's. Let me conclude this conversation by telling you somethings you may or maynot know. Its about comforting your daughter when she's getting hit by one. There is ABSOLUTELY nothing you can do to help ease her pain. I or we know that you would do anything to stop them. The only thing you can actually do is just leave her alone. I don't even like anyone in the same room as me when I'm getting mine. Do your best to not talk to her. Talking makes them so much worse. My girlfriend gets hurt everytime I get one because I get crabby and rude if someone tries to make me talk. She doesn't mean to be, but most people don't know how bad they really hurt. Leave her in a room alone and try not to go in there NO MATTER WHAT! She may scream and you may hear her pounding her head on the walls and doors. These CH's are really nasty and it would be absurd to you (or anyone who doesn't them) to realistically understand. I bet 99% of the people here will admit to contimplating suicide at one point. Just 2 nights ago I found myself crying unctrollably begging my girlfriend to kill me. I hope you find a neuro very soon and get her started on her treatment. Feel free to contact us anytime for whatever. You are here at the right place with people know her pain.