I'm new. I've had several attacks. The last two were very severe and occurred right after one beer. I haven't had a beer since July 5th. Before that the headaches were bad and lasted 20-30 minutes, like someone squeezing eyeball, and had gone on almost daily for about 3-4 weeks. I know thew last three were triggered after a beer. The last two each lasted over an hour and a half. Hurt so much haven't hadf a beer since. I'd like to have one, but fear an attack. How do you know when the cycle is over?  Must I have a beer to find out or what? sometimes sense the pain is 'right under the radar" so to speak. Don't know if that is fear of pain or what? Help.

added:5:40PM, July 27
I do see a neurologist regularly( I have a rare degenerative  chronic autoimmune neurological disease..CIDP)  I had seen him several times about the headaches. I had a CT scan which showed no problems. I had a MRA and MRI also. Dr. Tellers , my neurologist who sees many people with headache problems,  thinks I'm having cluster headaches. I talked with him yesterday after he saw the MRA. Today he gave me a prescription for imitrex nasal spray.

Britt

The early stages are toughest while you try and figure out what's going on. Take the cluster quiz on your left, that's a great start. Begin a headache calendar as detailed as you can. When they start, how fast they build, how high they build, how long they stay at peak how fast the leave, the type of pain, stabbing, throbbing, etc. Any triggers such as alcohol as you've already discovered!

Then get a referral to a neuro who specializes in headaches. When a sudden pain starts in the head it really needs a competent doc to evaluate what's going on and eliminate any more sinister causes. On top of that there are hundreds of headache types and a med which works for one is useless for another. The correct diagnosis is critical for an effective treatment program.

Please keep us updated as you get this figured out!

Joe

I'm with Joe. Self-diagnosis is not possible. There are dozens of conditions which appear to be Cluster but which are not. Most neurologists lack the special training and experience needed to treat the complexity of headaches, so use a specialist, if at all possible.
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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. 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.

6. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE NEW certification program for "Headache Medicine" by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties, an independent, non-profit, professional medical organization.
        Since this is a new program, the initial listing is limited and so it should be checked each time you have an interest in locating a headache doctor.

You certainly need to get a specialist to make sure what type of headache your dealing with. I was first diagnosed in 1983 and it took many visits after that of going to different specialist to get the right diagnosis. As far as the beer goes it's a trigger for many sufferers. I had a monster of an attack some 16 plus years ago after drinking a beer which was off cycle for me. I have not had any type of alcohol since. For many people alcohol/beer only triggers the clusters during their cycle I just choose not to take the chance.