Posted by Franklin on April 24, 1998 at 11:58:52:
I love this site! For 5 years I have been suffering cluster headaches, not knowing what they were or if I was all alone. It's a pretty helpless feeling to be in tremendous pain and not know why. Now at least I know I'm not alone.
I still haven't been to a doctor about my headaches, though I'm sure they're cluster because all of the symptoms match: stabbing, throbbing pain in the left temple/eye area, occurring about twice a day for three weeks or so, followed by nine months or so of no headaches.
In my previous cluster periods, the headaches would last only about 30 minutes on average. However, in this cluster period, they seem to linger to four to five hours, although the most intense pain only lasts for an hour. Advil and Benadryl seem to help the most, and excedrin also seems to work sometimes (maybe it's the caffeine). I've even taken Vicodin, which did not help at all.
My question: do most general physicians know how to treat cluster, or should I see a neurologist/specialist about them? I hate seeing doctors because I have a fear of needles, but since there ways to treat cluster, I probably should finally go. Anybody know of a good doctor in the Austin (TX) area?
Franklin