I have to do some 'splainin b4 I can get to my point.  I apologize.

I have little doubt I am a qualified clusterhead.  I seem to fit the profile pretty much.

Here is the 'thing' though.  I have not had a 'season' in a couple of years .. praise God.  However, lately I have been having a very short but 'same' pain.  Short 'zingers' .. same side of head, same point of 'origin' of the full blown cluster .. slightly above and aft of my right ear.  Pain scale on a 9 but only last about a second.  I get about 4-6 'firings' of these on one day, nothing for a day or two, then a few more on a third day.  Very sharp but QUICK .. and more localized than full blown (smaller area, more 'pinpointable').

It is as if a car battery is connected to a particular nerve 'right there' and someone is 'hitting a switch' real quick.

One thing that is important, I think .. is this is 'new'.  Historically, I simply got a full blown cluster .. none of this 'zinger' stuff.  The 'zingering' I am trying to describe is new.

I am hoping I am making sense, and wondering if anyone has this experience and any other constructive comments that might be available.

Thank you in advance.

I get something similar when I am exiting a cycle,but it's not as bad as yours (very litle pain) and it's in the back of my head. Just a sharp twinge for a split second.? Of course my Dr. say's Iam not right and it's all in my head! :D

There are so many varities of headache that only a good doc can Dx properly. There is an uncommon type which does hit with these sharp, quick shots--but it's not cluster. BUT it's not impossible for you to start with one type of headache and have it evolve into another, somewhat related type. Yes, confusing!

Best bet....

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 should be professionally diagnosed with the attendant testing to rule out anything more sinister than CH.

Thank you both for the comments and good advice.  I will address all this to the medical profession.  Thank you again.

I get the same & zinger is a pretty good description of them or an ice pick stab, still better than full blown CH.

Cheers
Barry

I've gotten these on occasion, it's like the beast is  giving you a quick running jab and he's off again. 

Two comments:

When episodic...very similar "zings"..... ONLY near end of cycle. They were kip 10's immediately...and yet I YEARNED for them...fast and gone (seconds)...beats 90 mins! Cycle SOON to be over.........much joy in whoville.

Also during episodic...two cycles involved ONLY these "zings"....longer (3 mins)... and at first were scarier than I can relate. Though they were 10's...and brought me to my knees...I actually got "used" to it and was willing to trade a 90 min 7 for 'em. Alas...it was brief episode.

TOTALLY agree with mosaicw and Bob....get evaluated....there are more types of HA than ch...

Best,

Jon

JustNotRight wrote on Sep 21^st, 2010 at 8:02pm:

I've gotten these on occasion, it's like the beast is  giving you a quick running jab and he's off again.

Yeah .. really makes you wonder what is going on. Is it a sign the monster is wakening?  Is it that the monster itself is now reduced to just these 'zingers'?  Are the 'zingers' even related to the monster?

I guess this is why God created neurologists.

John I would definitely ask your neuro about it. 

I haven't had the quick jabs for ages, have been chronic for several years.  I would gladly trade a full blown 10'er for a quick jab and let the beast writhe on the floor by himself for awhile.   ;)

JustNotRight wrote on Sep 21^st, 2010 at 8:23pm:

I would gladly trade a full blown 10'er for a quick jab and let the beast writhe on the floor by himself for awhile.   ;)

OH yeah .. I'll take these over a full blown anytime.  These zingers are quick, .. maybe 1 second at a time.  3-6 separated seconds of #9 pain a day is FINE with me compared to a 1+ hour of the monster.

THANK YOU ALL for the great replies.  God bless you all.

JustNotRight wrote on Sep 21^st, 2010 at 8:02pm:

I've gotten these on occasion, it's like the beast is  giving you a quick running jab and he's off again.

That's exactly it! And they have brought me to my knees, maybe because they are so KIP high, and partly because they are so unexpected. Blessings! lance

It's probably CPH, SUNCT or something else, I think a lot of CH'ers have similar symptoms.