Hi, im a 19 year old female living in the UK, and my doctor told me the headaches i was suffering from were cluster headaches.

When i experience a Cluster Headache it has always previously been on my right side (bear in mind my first ever CH was 6 months ago.)
My last attack happened 3 months ago and lasted on and off for 3 weeks.  :(
And then out of the blue i got a cluster headache on just my LEFT side, and it felt worse. (my eye and cheekbone felt swollen and aching, never happened on my right side)


I was just wondering why is this? I thought CH were known to only be on one side? Also are there any 'home remedies' i could use to dull the pain, or help prevent an attack?

Thank you for your help

Sarah

good old ping pong. jumping sides isn't that common but it does happen.

As far as home remedies, look at the link above in this section that's labeled "Helpful hints" You'll find a ton.

good luck and stay positive as that's your best weapon

Eric

Somebody posted a while back that when it switches sides, his cycle was almost done, so there's hope!! Do you have oxygen yet? 32 years of CH and for me, nothing compares to the speed, price, and lack of side effects for oxygen! Welcome to the board.

Joe

I HATE it when it changes sides!  I've learned to deal with it on the right, but when I get a left side hit my reactions all seem backwards.

I use energy drinks frequently as an abortive.  If you slam one down at the fist sign of a hit it will help to lessen it if not kill it outright.  I also drink a lot of coffee to keep myself caffeinated at all times when getting hit frequently.  Coffee won't kill one for me, but if I've been drinking it all day they seem lessened.  Also, the water x3 button on the left can be helpful for some.  I have trouble drinking that much water, so I will make iced tea and drink a quart about three times a day.  That combined with the coffee keeps the kidneys well flushed! :D  I do find it to lessen the frequency of the hits though.

Jerry.

Cluster headaches switiching sides is like trying to play the guitar left-handed (if you're right handed), something is messing with the neuro-switches. It's still ipsilateral, even if it does switch sides. The best immediate advice has already been given, but read on and read a lot, and take notes. And then ask questions. But stay on Board! Here you will find support like nowhere else. God bless! lance

Might not be a cluster attack. Does it feel the same or a little different? Try some over the counter medication and see if it helps. I sometimes get opposite side severe headaches that are not cluster HA.
-Chris

Hello and welcome!!

Yes I get clusters on the other side - usually means I'm coming to the end of a cycle.  I hope that is what it means for you!  Keep us posted.

Wishin you all the best,

Kate

Weird--I had my CH switch sides once--and it was the last or almost the very last headache of my last cycle--really weird and also went from being light phobic to sound phobic during that one hit--sounds seemed a hundred times louder.  Sounds really weird but yes it can switch sides--took about 2 decades for it to happen to me.  But I am back in cycle again and it is right back where it always was on the left side.

Mine is on my right side, but this time, it's mostly right side, but the pain is also on the left. I have to caveat that with the fact that this is the worst pain I have ever experienced, so the left side pain could simply be the pain radiating from the right side. Are you getting any pain on the right side at all? Is it the same "format" or is the headache completely different?

had something wierd  happen that had never happend before during my last cycle back in april of this year. Mine are behind my left eye, but one night, i felt it moving tword the right. It stopped on the bridge of my nose for about 2 min. or so (worst pain ever) before moving on to the right eye. That had never happend before. Strange.  and btw........howdy yall. havent been around in a while. ;) I'm  still in remission for now.