I know I posted in the getting to know you forum, but I figured I'd ask this now and get it out of the way.

Despite all my reading, I'm still confused a bit on what kind of headache I might have and I'll explain, because I'm basing it off of what i feel vs. duration of feelings.

I will get stabbed out of nowhere, it'll keep stabbing for like 30 seconds then pass. and then maybe 15-20 mins later I feel another stab, hold for 30 (or sometimes up to a couple mins) and go away. Then other parts of the day, like clock work, (9 am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm) I get the biggest stabs ever that keep stabbing from anywhere from 15 mins - 1hr.

So my questions are these:
Do every CH sufferer experience the pain a bit differently?
Do you guys/gals, during an attack, feel that stabbing pain for the whole duration (ex. 30min-1hr)?
Those smaller stabs that don't last very long but are intense and I get a LOT of....could those be "shadows"?

The reason I ask is because I'm still awaiting doctor visit, and I don't wanna be treated for the wrong thing.
yesterday though I was sitting in bed, and then a Kip 8 came outta nowhere, sent me into the kitchen with expletives streaming and I kept pacing for what felt like an eternity. After it disappeared like it was nothing, I check the clock and 45 mins had passed. I was being stabbed relentlessly for that whole time.

Now currently at work as I'm typing this, every couple minutes I get a quick excrutiating stab in my left eye that stop me from doing anything, hold for 30 secs to 1 min and then gone like it was never there.

So to my own diagnosis based on what I've read, I would classify these as "shadows" but then again you guys/gals have way more anecdotal experience which is greatly appreciated and I am looking to learn as much as possible.

Thanks again :)

Well, this is why we push to see a headache specialist. There are several species of headache with closely related symptoms and sorting them out is not always easy.

AND, especially when you are first developing CH (or related type) the symptoms may change, vary, start/stop for months, even years, before settling down into a fairly consistent pattern. It's the kind of instability which makes patience a major survival skill for us.

I understand and that makes sense. Just felt like I had to ask. Better knowing than always wondering. Thanks again  :)

Did you take the cluster quiz on the left? The questions imply the most common and consistent symptoms of CHs. It is not a substitute for a diagnosis from a headache specialist but it can provide a common starting point for discussion at your visit. Print it out and take it with you. Blessings. lance

The smaller stabs that dont last long are not like shadows more primary in nature.

While awaiting diagnosis, Sunct and idiopathic stabbing (ice pick) headache are something to look at. These can occur with CH as well.

SUNCT syndrome. A clinical review.
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Idiopathic stabbing headache (jabs and jolts syndrome)
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