Hello everyone.

For past 6 years  ( i am 22 years old) i have been getting these headaches. They start behind my eye and it feels like it wants to pop out. It gets real watery and i get blurred vison out of that eye. I also get lot of drainage down my throat as well. The pain is on top of my head as well and goes down the back of my neck, where i can barely hold my head up. I just sit there and squeeze my head as hard as i can, which doesn't relieve the pain but kinda does. lol. I feel real hot and start to seat profusely then freeze. I don't throw up or anything. I get them anywhere from 1-4 times a day for about 30-45 min and around the same times.10 am, 2pm, 5pm, 11-12pm. (last for about 6-8 weeks then goes away for a while) It makes going to class and studying very difficult for me since i am incapacitated during these headaches.

I have been to the doctors and they tell me its probably allergies and tell me to take sinus medication. I tell them the medication doesn't work and they just write me a prescription for a different one so i just stopped going back and i am trying to find out on my own what it is. The pain from these headaches are the worst thing i have ever felt and i play college football. Most people just think its a regular heahache but it is so much worse.

So I guess what I want to know does these sound like what others are suffering from and is it a cluster headache? Also if it is anything i can do to make it stop or lessen the pain at all?


Thanks

Welcome.

Try taking the "cluster quiz".  (Link on the left side of your screen.)  It's not a tool for diagnosis, but it may give you some idea whether or not you have CH.

At some point in your efforts to get to the bottom of this, you'll need to get a firm diagnosis from a medical professional.  Try to get a referral to a neurologist who specializes in headache.  Not to be an alarmist, but there are medical conditions that can mimic CH that may have more serious consequences.  It's important that these are ruled out.

If you do indeed have CH, you've come to the right place for advice and support.

Again, welcome.  Whatever this turns out to be, we'll be happy to help in any way we can.

Best wishes,

George

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. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE On-line screen to find a physician.

5. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE Look for "Physician Finder" search box.  Call 1-800-643-5552; 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.
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You will find some useful material on the OUCH site (left buttons).

Welcome!

I too advise you to see a headache specialist. You could also start a headache diary, and take it with you on your doctor's appointment.

Let us know how it goes!

Lottie

Does your university/college have a health center?  If you are in a big ten school, chances are you might have access to medical college personnel as a start?  The advice given above is excellent and you are in good hands.

Good luck on your journey to diagnosis and treatment.

Welcome to the board but I'm sorry you are dealing with such pain. A lot of what you say sounds like CH but do as others say here and get a diagnosis from a neurologist. A neurological exam is about as boring as it gets but it is necessary.

I suggest using a printout of good information here so your doctor understands the level of pain you are dealing with.

Let us know how you make out and good luck.

Charlie