So I'm reading posts, and more posts...things start clicking and I was just curious where would a person go if they THINK perhaps the headaches were from a Arterial Disease??  Cardiovascular -not neurovascular?  I realize that this for the most part, isn't of any interest to most, other then these can mimic the headaces...(how it can mimic the seasonalty though I doubt.)  I just want to make sure that something isn't missed. 

Again, sorry to be a pest.  I hope this cycle ends soon, so I don't have to bother you wonderful people who have taught me so much in such a short amount of time.

Desiree   

I, too, hope it ends soon so you can stick around and help others the way you've been helped.

Sorry, I don't know the answer to your question.

My CH neurologist thought he heard a bruie in my left carotid and ordered an MRI with contrast to look for an obstruction.  None was found.

IF you are working with a headache specialist, they should be making the diagnosis/diagnostic calls. If you are still with your primary care doc, I'd be talking with him about getting specialist headache care.

Overall, ONE doc should be supervising your care. We get into problems by trying to play this gatekeeper role ourselves. When you have multiple docs, each providing a highly specialized focus, the chances of not getting coordinated/effective care increases. This is the role of the primary care person--to know what everyone else is doing and coordinate treatments to avoid duplication/conflicts/deadends.

I don't know if other headache specialists do this, but mine, requires any new patients to have a full workup, if they've never been to a headache specialist before, to rule out the concerns that you've mentioned.  One of the things she has done, is an MRI.  I didn't want it done due to the cost (besides, I'd already been diagnosed with CH by another headache specialist [he'd moved out of the area]), and time has shown her (after one nasty cycle in early Spring 2006), that yes, I most definitely have CH.  But, she has told me that an MRI is a valuable tool, in the initial diagnosis.  One of her patients, had it done, and it turned out that what he thought were migraines, were due to an aneurysm (that twere luckily discovered in time)!!

"Re: SORRY..for being a pest ...another question"

Desiree,  with all due respect, that is as close to a dumb question as you can come! 

You CANNOT be a pest asking questions, especially as a supporter trying to find answers for her husband!  That is the sum total of the reason for our being here is to be able to provide what experience we have to be able to help you until you have the experience and knowledge to in turn help another.  Besides, supporters such as yourself who are willing to do the work to find answers for their loved one are worth their weight in gold.  You have no idea how many clusterheads have had marriages end because their spouse didn't want to put up with dealing with what we go through, let alone try to help find answers.  People such as yourself are revered here.

Now, to answer your question, I don't know!  Helpful aren't I? :D  I would say though that an MRI with contrast, and an MRA would be the beginning, followed by a carotid ultrasound.  Beyond that I don't know.  All I know is that if I have more than one more i may start glowing in the dark! 8-)

Please hang around and keep asking whatever you need to ask.  We'll do what we can to help, and some of us, (the others) actually know what they are talking about.

Jerry