I always thought I got migraines until I started to do research. I think I get clusters, but am not 100% sure. Here are my symptoms, etc.

-Intense headaches in my right temple area.
-Happens very often. This week I've gotten them every night since Monday (it's Wednesday). Tonight I have mild pain in my temple and nasal congestion on the same side. Earlier today I had severe pain in my right temple and a runny nose.
-I normally get my headaches around 3 AM. They normally last for a few hours and I do not sleep (if I do it's restless).
-Hot showers help, but only when I'm in them. The moment I step out I have pain again.
-I've had bad headaches for as long as I remember. I take meds. (Migraine med, sinus headache meds, tylenol, aleve) and it normally fails to help.
-I think my head hurts more when I try to lay still.
-I'm 21, female.
-When I was 6 I had shingles on the left side of my face and was told that I had nerve damage.

What do you guys think? CH or something else?

From your description it could be CH, but then I'm not a Doctor, just a CH Sufferer.  Nothing beats an accurate diagnosis from a Neurologist or better yet a Headache Specialist.  Make an Appointment to see one!!

Whilst you're waiting to get into the Neuro or a Headache Specialist here are a few over the counter helpers:

4-Way Nasal spray or Dristan 12 Hour Nasal Spray helps with the annoying congestion.  ** Note ** Do not use this more than 3 days in a row!!  It can cause severe sinus problems.

Taurine and Caffeine drinks (RedBull if you like it) to help prevent a hit when you feel one starting.

Melatonin or an Allergy (Zyrtec aka cetirizine works for me) pill at night before bed to help avoid night time hits.

The herb Kudzu has helped a few as a prevent.   

Deep breathing through the milder hits can help too.

Hot/Cold Compresses Depending on your preference can help as well.


Make sure you start a headache journal, you can make your own, here's what you will need to note on it.

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:

You can make up your own HA Journal and if you get more than one in a day use 1 piece of paper/page per day, or you can use MS Excel for this.

Ginger has given you the best rundown of what to do until a diagnosis is forthcoming...nothing there can hurt and it may help a great deal. Try it as you would a Rx. And do see a doctor. And in the meantime, take the cluster quiz on the left. May you not have these cursed things...and be pain free quickly. Blessings. lance

Great advice above. Your best bet at an accurate diagnosis, and an effective treatment regimen, is a Headache Specialist Neurologist. General Practitioners and even your garden variety neurologists know pathetically little about CH, and even other headache types in general.

Being a woman they will typically knee jerk react and tell you it's migrains. Older doc's will tell you women don't get CH! This is one time where a specialist is just critical to getting this figured out.

Good luck on the diagnostic journey! If it turns out to be CH....(my 2 cents sez it sure sounds like it might be)...DO NOT  lose this website! ;)

Joe

Joe

You may want to print out as much as you can from this site to take with you as well.
From what I have read and my own experience most doctors are not very well schooled in headaches at all and if you have CH you may need to school your doctor yourself unless you get lucky. Be sure to take the O2 information as well since most here say it is the best aborter you can have as long as you get the right flow rate and mask. Good luck to you and hope you get the help you need soon.

I wish I could add more than good luck and pray

You definitely need a good DX by a knowledgeable Dr.  As was said, most GP's and unfortunately many Neuros have no clue about CH.  If you are able to find one that is willing to learn and work with you well and good, but that is a rarity.  You need to take the cluster quiz on the left, but that is NOT a diagnosis, merely a tool to evaluate between Migraine and Cluster.  You will need an MRI and an MRA to be certain there is not something more nefarious that presents itself similarly to Cluster. 

Unfortunately, it sounds like CH.  If it is you have found a new family that will help carry you through the rough patches.

Jerry