Hi everyone. I am totally lost now as too what i am suffering with. is it a CH or is it a migraine or tension headache? i have all the symptoms of a CH but I had a headache last night. it only lasted about 45 mins and reached about kip 7, which isnt too bad. but it was more around the top of my head. felt as if someone had set fire to the top of my head. i had a runny nose and watery eye. i did fidget around a bit but didnt get the point of pacing the room. I havent had any pain up until last night for 5 days. altho all day yesterday I could feel something, i didnt feel 100%, like i knew one was waiting to happen. I can feel a dull ache every now and again as i write this. If anyone could give me some advice as too what they think this could possibly be i would be eternaly grateful. just want these to leave me alone and let me get back to normal :-/

Ouch... First of all, get thee to a doctor.. If a Kip 7 isn't making you pace - then it really doesn't sound like CH (although we all do things differently).

But a doctor (neuro) can rule out other things.

In the meantime (and if it is CH) you might try chugging a can of Red Bull when you feel one building up (at the start). Or a cup of coffee. This will sometimes stop the "shadows" that you're describing (works pretty well with migraines also).

Let us know what's happening..  :-*

Cluster Quiz
START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Sufferer Recommended Doctors
Since cluster headaches are such a rare disorder, it is often difficult to find a doctor well versed in its diagnosis and treatment.  We hope this will help.  The doctors listed on this page were all recommended by your fellow cluster headache sufferers. 
START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Oxygen Info
START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

   :)

Rule out anything more sinister before trying to categorize which type of headache. 

It's already been said but bears repeating: get thee to a doctor.

I'll say it too.  Getting a firm diagnosis is critical.  How else can it be treated without one? Not very many Doctors who are up to date or even knowledgable about CH, so before you spend $$  call around, ask on the phone if he/she has ever treated a CH patient before. It may cut down on disappointment for you.

   I'm with Barb on this one...(did I just say that???)  If a Kip 7 "isn't too bad"   you may have something else going on which is all the more reason to get a diagnosis.  At a Kip 7 I'm rolling on the floor, moaning and thinking of breaking everything I can get my hands on.

I would look in the yellow pages for a headache clinic or a Dr who specializes in headaches.  Many nuero's out there do not have a clue about cluster headaches.  Like Linda said, call ahead and find out if they have experience treating cluster headaches.  Tests, including an MRI and catscan are usually ordered before a firm Dx can be given.

Good advice there.

Get to a neurologist.....a neurology exam is mostly boring, not scary. I'd let him know that you wonder if you are having clusters. It may make things simpler.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

Charlie

Thanks everyone for your advice. Just seems a bit strange going 5 days with nothing then getting them again. had another one last night. that was about kip 8 and had me pacing the room but yet again only lasted about an hour then i managed to sleep. I think i wil get some numbers for neurologists and see what they say. Thanks again everone x