I do not get cluster headaches. My dad does. Hes the one that found this site but I figured I should post something after he just went to the hospital to see if anyone can relate.

He usually gets an attack an hour after he goes to sleep. It always lasts for 45 minutes, and after that, hes done. After my dad reacted badly to the multiple muscle relaxers that were prescribed, they started him on topical creams and fish oil pills.

Note: The muscle relaxers worked in stopping the headache. But, they turned him into a zombie the rest of the day. He was barely able to get out any coherent speech or even move from the couch.

Last night was his first night trying the topical cream and fish oil pills. He had a record 4 attacks, 3 out of the 4 were very severe. The 4 attacks spread themselves out between 3am - 10:30am.

On the start of his 4th my mom declared "that's it," and rushed him to the hospital.

Does anyone have experience with topical creams(Voltaren Gel)? Is it possible these things made it worse?

My dad is going to the hospital with a print out of treatments from this web site hoping to help the doctor with medication decisions.

The reason for the creams (the doc. said) is that he has disks in his neck that are "out of place." He snores louder than anyone I have every known, smokes, drinks and doesn't exercise much. I just don't know what to do anymore. If the doctors can't help, who can?

Your message mentions none of the meds used to treat Cluster. The implication of your comments is that this is a "cluster-like" condition, that is, some symptoms of cluster but arising from a different condition, in his situation, from a neurological problem. IF that's the case, then our experience, derived from cluster is not going to be of value or even application to your father.

Sending along a report, not to diagnose, but to give you some idea of what I'm suggesting.
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Title: "Cluster Headache Mimics"--useful article. Post by Bob_Johnson on Jul 30th, 2004, 2:04pm
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This is an important article to obtain and take to your doctor if you are having a difficult time getting a diagnosis of the type of headache problem you have and/or finding medications which give consistent relief for cluster. It is a technically difficult read for someone not educated in medicine. Its value is in providing case studies about uncommon conditions which appear to be cluster headache but which are, in fact, not.

Broad signs which may signal that the problem being treated is a cluster mimic are: having made a diagnosis of cluster, the standard medications do not work OR they work for an episode or two and then stop being effective. Second, if the diagnostic signs differ in important ways from the standard signs for cluster (and this is a subtle issue which requires a physician with sophistication).

One of the striking findings reported: Cluster can arise from head trauma as long as 30-years after the trauma!

Some conditions which can mimic primary cluster headache:

Infections
    Aspergillus
    Inflammatory disorders
    Wegener's granulomatosis
    Orbital myositis
    Plasmacytoma
    Multiple sclerosis
Head trauma
Vascular abnormalities
    Arterial dissections
    Arteriovenous malformations
Neoplasms
    Pituitary tumors
    Metastases
Other trigeminal autonomic cephalgias: SUNCT syndrome; Paroxysmal hemacrania; Hypnic headache

"Cluster Headache Mimics", Dale M. Carter, M.D.. CURRENT PAIN AND HEADACHE REPORTS, 2004, 8:133-139.

All the doctors he has been to (about 4) have come to the conclusion that it is cluster headaches. So what you're saying is that the diagnosis may be totally wrong and he may have another form of cluster headaches?

I can't freaking see my dad in this pain anymore. Why can't anyone give us a straight answer.

When he went to the emergency room today, the doctor had no clue what it was. He literally told my dad that he was going to look it up on the internet and try and learn about it so he can prescribe medication.

Anyone in South West Florida know a good doc?

My first question would be: How did the four doctors arrive at the diagnosis? Just from his description of the symptoms?

Good, high quality images of the brain/head are needed to rule out other, more dangerous conditions. Has he had an MRI/MRA or other scan performed? Generally, this is required to be sure.

Another option (based on your post) is to have a sleep study done to look for any serious sleep Apea problems. None of this should be scary - just common sense.

I like seeing a person searching for an answer for their parent. Spend some serious time searching this site. You WILL get an education on the subject of Cluster headaches.

Marc

Bless your heart for caring enough about dad to do research. The treatments you've described are not for CH. If it is CH, look to a doc who will provide a 2 pronged attack:

1: A good prevent medication. A med he takes daily to reduce the number and pain level of his attacks. Verapamil, lithium and topomax are great starts to discuss with his doc. Many more to read about on the meds tab but that's a good start.

2: A good abortive, the attack has started, now what? The first line abortive should be oxygen. Read the "oxygen info" link on the left, print out the details and get a prescription for oxygen. I can abort an attack in 6-8 minutes using oxygen. I've had CH for 31 years and oxygen is my first line abortive.

Imitrex injectables and Imitrex nasal spray are both enjoying a good success rate on the board. The injectables worked well for me but the oxygen works just as fast without the med hangover.

For now, buy a couple of energy drinks. Monster, Rock Star, any containing the combo of caffeine and taurine. When he feels an attack coming on, chug one of those down as fast as he can. Many have had success aborting or at least reducing the intensity of their attacks using these.

First and foremost, GET HIM TO A KNOWLEDGEABLE NEURO WHO SPECIALIZES IN HEADACHES!  That's his best chance for relief.

Thanks again for doing the leg work, we're particularly fond of our supporters around here!

Joe

Thanks for the input guys, it was all very informative.

He was prescribed new medicine: Verapamil, prednisone and sumatriptan nasal spray.

Using these new prescriptions he actually got a good night sleep last night.

Yes they did and MRI and various blood work.

Edit: He refuses to drink energy drinks. The neurologist has told him to avoid caffeine at all costs. He doesn't even have his morning coffee anymore.

One last question. My dad has just noticed these headaches so he is not sure when exactly they tend to hit. Will he have to take all this medication every day to get a night of sleep? Or, do you think after he goes through a sleep study and clears up his airways the effects might subside a little?

I'm not a Dr, but I would suggest he go through the sleep study.  Not for the CH, but for general health issues.  A lot of clusterheads have apnea, but there does not seem to be a connection. However, it is very difficult to fight the beast when you are already worn out and don't have enough rest.

I'm glad he got some good sleep last night, but please don't think the battle is over.  If it is CH, as it sounds it is, he is still in for a ride.  Unfortunately, one does not get rid of CH that easily.  What he can and will do if you both will hand around here is to learn to handle it and to live with it.  The key is to live BETWEEN the hits, and to learn to kick the beast back with preventatives and abortives so that his time beating up your dad is minimized.

Jerry  

I'm on the Voltaren ointment, NOT for CH, but for my back.

I did try it on my face, it didn't help, or hurt me. But in my experience, medication can do ALL kinds of weird shit that it ISN'T supposed to do.

Just because a side effect isn't listed, that doesn't mean it can't happen. Also, your father should begin keeping a headache diary.

Check the OUCH website to see a list of doctors in all sorts of parts of the states. It may have one in Florida for you.

PFDAN
Mystina