I've been episodic since the mid 80s....having been formally diagnosed a cluster head in 92.  I've seen my share and am unfortunately quite familiar with cluster headaches.  My last episode was a pretty brutal one lasting from January 09 through May.  It was ugly.

About a month ago I experienced a bad cold.  I started having headaches on a regular basis.  They were unpleasant but no cluster.  There are some similarities such as frequently occurring about the same time, during the day and evening.  The pain is on one side and I feel pressure behind my eye.  My brain feels like it is on fire...but I don't get all sweaty.   These headaches actually respond to ibuprofen or Excedrin. 

So I went to see my normal doctor thinking maybe it is a sinus infection.  He treats me with prednisone, an anti biotic and some decongestant.  Worked great for 3 days while on the pred.  Now off...the headaches are back.   

Soooo....I'm wondering....am I having a cluster episode but it is just different?  Doesn't' seem right after over 20 years that they would be.  Has anyone else experienced something like this?

Thanks

yes, I have. My question is - are they of a shorter duration? 

If so, it may be paroxysmal hemicrania & will respond well to Indomethacin.  We can have more than one type of headache.

It could also be occipital neuralgia, although that is more in the back and goes forward on the sides to the front and the eyes, and it seemed to respond to ice packs, 10 minutes on & 10 minutes off - for an hour, twice a day.

I regret to tell you these things seem to morph and are unpredictable. 

It is good that you checked in with your Dr to eliminate other possibilities as some things that feel like this may cause a lot more permanent harm than ch.

Charlotte

Thanks Charlotte
It is kind of hard to compare duration.  When the "real" clusters hit, I use O2 and their duration is relatively short (thank god).  I have not tried O2 on these and they are mild by comparison so I just ride them out or take some pain relievers. 

I plan to call my Dr back today and give him an update.  I may go see my neuro and see what she says.  I'll ask them both about the paroxysmal hemicrania

Hey Kurt i have also been episodic for about 15 years also usualy every year around July and last for 4-7 weeks. this year it all changed. Started just like yours not long after a cold, but this year it is not as bad as usual kip3-4 at most. I have not had to take any meds.I had them daily for about 12 weeks then started taking Kudzu and they went away for about 2-3 weeks.Stopped the kudzu a few weeks back and now they have returned again with the same description you have. Same time of the day but i can even drink alchohol and it doesn't seem to effect them much. So yes it can change!!! I'm still getting hit with small kip 2 levels daily.  Good luck and hang in there. This community of people are awesome to ask questions to.  Jay

I appreciate this information since my attacks have also changed over the years.  My first cycle of CH I distinctly recall was 29 years ago in the fall and I have seen many different types of cycles, some more severe than others.  Good luck..wishing you MANY PF days and nights---I am on day 7 PF!!!

Good Luck Kurt,

I had a cycle in the Spring of 2006 (April through May - the first time I ever had CH in the spring), that also included a possible sinus infection.  My Neuro wasn't sure if helped trigger, or it just aggravated my CH (Kip 8s and Kip 9s are SUCH A TRIP!!! - NOT!!!!).  To play it safe, I was put on antibiotics by my GP.  The headaches did go away by the end of May 2006.  I'm not sure if the antibiotics contributed to this (my neuro had me try another abortive, which helped a lot with the attacks), but they certainly didn't hurt things.

jhgnopain wrote on Oct 20^th, 2009 at 11:33pm:

-I am on day 7 PF!!!

You go JHG!  ;D :)