Hello everyone,

I'm wondering if I'm getting cluster headaches, because of the association with the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. I'm asking this, because I ONLY get these late-night headaches at a certain time, in a certain place, and under certain circumstances:

I've been married about a year. For the past 6 months or so, I've been waking up around 3 or 4 am with a throbbing pounding headache on the right side of my head, and in the back. It doesn't happen every night, but I'll have a week where it happens 2-3 times, then a week off, etc. It typically wakes me from sleep when I lift my head to move or turn to the other side. Ice compress helps.

I've been traveling a lot over the past 2-3 months without my husband. I've been away more than home. When I'm away at my parents' house, grandparents' house, a summer camp, sister's house, etc., I DON"T get these headaches.

Confused, I googled and researched. I found that cluster headaches have something to do with the hypothalamus and hormone release, such as serotonin.

This seemed to imply that I get these headaches only when those hormones are released, or when something's happening with those hormones--i.e., when I'm with my husband. Sometimes sex precedes the onset, sometimes it doesn't. But I have NEVER experienced these headaches in ANY other bed or location, even when using the same pillows.

Can anyone relate to this? Does this sound like it could mean I'm getting cluster headaches?

Thanks in advance!

I think it means you're allergic to marriage.

Seriously, I've never run into your special set of circumstances. Doesn't mean squat, though. I think you'll want to talk to a headache specialist. Headaches are almost always diagnosed by eliminating those things that they aren't.

BRew
U slay me! LOL "allergic to marriage" I m with Brew headache specialist to rule in or out what may be going on.

Ditto the above. While these are called cluster headaches because they manifest in "clusters" and are regular like clockwork, we are unable to control their coming and going. We can avoid triggers and sex can be a trigger. Take the cluster quiz at left and see a specialist. Your description would be unusual for a cluster sufferer I think. Blessings. lance