HI, i am new here & have had migraines that come in clusters (every night for 4-6 weeks) for the last 6 years. they are your run of the mill migraines: pain in neck, back of head, eye & temple. usually can abort them in 45 min with maxalt & ice. i am also on calan & depakote as preventative. when i get these "clusters", usually a 6 day dose of predisone & i am as good as new for a year or so. this time, however, we are having a hard time getting them under control. i have had the short dose of predisone, iv steroids, been to the ER twice for severe pain on side & top of head & am now on a month dose of predisone. my neuro also has me on O2 which does help greatly. i was under the impression that Os didn't work on migraine.

so, my question, does this seem like both migraine & cluster, or am i transitioning into cluster?

It has been long recognized that there is a "cluster-migraine" headache. Elements of both types are present; not very common but surely suggets that working with a headache specialist would be useful.
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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.