Hello,

I am wondering if people could help me diagnosis whether I am experiencing a type of cluster headaches.

In 2007 summer, when I was 21, I first had an instance of a headache where I had drooping eyelid, increased eye-pressure, red eye, throbbing pain in left eye. The instance lasted for about two to three hours. I remembered it being painful, but not unbearable. The following two months, I had these re-occurring headaches with similar symptoms (throbbing pain in the eye, red eye, solely one-sided), but only moderately painful, none as extreme as the first attack, and no more drooping eyelid. I remember these headaches consistently occurred at a certain hour of a day for a couple weeks, and then shifted to some other hours. It happened sometimes once a day, sometimes twice a day, but sometimes once a week--regular sometimes, irregular sometimes. Then when autumn came, the headaches disappeared.

In May 2008, similar headaches appeared, but they were bearable, and the period lasted for about six weeks. During this period, I observed positive correlations between heat, alcohol and the occurrence of the headaches.

In July 2009, headaches recurred but were moderate, and only lasted for two, three weeks (in total perhaps three attacks). During this period I found a way to abort the headaches that worked for me personally. Whenever I felt like my headache is coming, which I could sense from the increase of pressure and discomfort in the eye, I drank about 2500-3000 c.c. of ice water as soon as possible (within five minutes). Then I found that it either prevented the headache from happening, or shortened the discomfort from two hours to thirty minutes. Also to avoid heat, I kept myself in cool, airconditioned rooms.

It seems to me that my headaches fit into the descriptions of cluster symptoms (seasonal, clock-like, unilateral, eye-pain, red eye), except mine are less severe. The triggers I identified seemed to be the triggers for many cluster patients as well.

Is it possible that I am experiencing a mild version of cluster headaches?

Thanks,
Christine

Hi Christine!

You would need to get a proper diagnosis from a Doctor, we are not Doctors.  We are CH sufferers and CH supporters.

Please Take the Cluster Quiz on the left and print out the Cluster Traits and see your physician asap as Symptoms of Clusters can also be other more serious conditions.

Also it will help if you keep a Headache journal so show your Doc when you go in, it helps for them to see a record of your headaches in black and white.

Here's what you will need to note in your Headache journal.

Day/Date:      
Time of Day of CH hit:   
On pain Scale 1-10 10 being highest what is your pain at?
Duration of Headache:
Symptoms that come with your Headache:
What, if anything you tried to get rid of HA:

Good Luck and Let us know how it goes.

I completely agree with Ginger...the only way to know for sure is through a good headache specialist. As to the time variations, that can certainly happen until the beast settles down into a pattern or cluster. And I have seen reports about some men who get mild clusters for awhile only to have them go away. May you be one of those! Blessings. lance

Welcome to the board! My CH started in my late teens with what I now know were "mild" CH attacks. By my mid 20's they were in full swing! Like you, I had many of the classic CH signs, without the intense pain.

That being said, it's always a good idea to go through a headache specialist neuro to get a firm diagnosis. There aren't many things as complicated as the human brain! ;) With literally hundreds of headache types, meds for one are useless for another. A headache specialist neuro s your best bet to wade through all the possibilities and make sure you get an accurate diagnosis, and an effective treatment regimen.

Hoping if it is CH it never grows to its adult form for ya. Wishing you peace and some pain free time.

Joe

As stated you do show a lot of traits that go along with CH's.
But you need to see a HEADACHE  specialist to rule out other things. What you describe is a lot like me, I dont get many hard hits like some others here but I do get them same time at night and same time of year. And it has been like that for 10 years.

Welcome and Good Luck,any question is a good question.

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.
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A goodly number of CH problems turn out to be masks for more serious disorders. This is a good reason for working with a headache doc--to sort out the real from the "fake". See PDF file, below.

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Christine...like it's been said...we are not Drs. here.  We really can't help you to diagnose what you may or may not have.   That said...

I DID diagnose myself.  Had all the classic symptoms and I had a very good medical book.   THEN....I went to one of the best Drs. on this condition.  Lee Kudrow.  Several hours later and a flat 500.00 he agreed with me.  Gave me Caffergot and 02.   It was was well worth the $500 just for the script for 02 which I've had ever since.   When I upped the regulator from 15 lpm to 25...I was in heaven.

I don't know what your situation may be regarding Ins. etc....but you really DO need to see a Dr. who knows and understands this condition.  Many here have been to one after another and gotten nowhere.  This is a rare one.  To find a Dr. who understands is almost as rare.

Call around.  Before you even make an appointment, ASK if this Dr. has treated Cluster headache patients before or not.  No need to waste your time as well as money. 

I wish you luck.       Linda

What they said, although I'm afraid you are now part of the family.  Don't just assume it though.  There are other much more serious things that can have similar symptoms.  Worse than CH?  Sure, after all CH is ONLY a headache! ;D

Jerry