I have been searching the web trying to find out whats wrong with me. I am over 40 years old and although I do get headaches I have never had what ever this headache is I'm getting now.

It started two weeks ago. I just woke up at 1am with a pain behind my right eye and it pulsated to my tooth. It lasted until 3 am and then it was gone. When I normally get headaches they are at the back of my head around the neck. Never behind my eye so this is new to me.

The next day was football Sunday and I fixed myself a rum and coke. I drank maybe 1 inch from the glass and then out of no where I got the same behind the eye pain again. It lasted around 3 hours.

In the last 7 days at least 6 of the nights I am waking up at 1AM with this new headache. The regular meds I have don't help. I end up pacing or just sitting in a dark room with my head in my lab waiting it out. I am getting only 3-4 hours sleep now.

Last night is the first night I got hit twice. I was woken up at 1AM as usual. I actually got it under control in 60 minutes and then fell asleep only to wake up at 4am with another attack. This time it never really went away. I have a constant dull pain behind my eye and the back of my neck and its 11 am now.

Is this a cluster headache?

Unfortunately, Cluster is not a simple disorder which can be treated by OTC products. There are a number of disorders which mimic Cluster but which are not headache disorders. Important to get a good diagnostic work-up before starting any treatment.

Most primary care docs lack much training in headache--this true of neurologists, too--so, if you have the option, find a specialist:

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.

Thanks guys... 7 more hours until my next attack

Potter wrote on Dec 8^th, 2012 at 6:25pm:


That thar is definitely a cup half full optimist!

Joe

PS:

Untul you can get into a neuro, try slamming an energy drink at the first sign of an attack. Monster, red Bull, any containing the combo of caffienne and taurine. Chug it down as fast as you can. Many can abort or at least really reduce the intensity of an attack that way. Not a "cure" or even a guaranteed treatment but better then running empty against beasty for now.