I am currently 22 and have been getting headaches with these exact symptoms since I was 15. I usually get thin in January and August give or take about a week. I have been to a couple doctors before and they literally do nothing to help. A doctor hasn't diagnosed me with cluster headaches yet. When I go to the doctor I usually get a high dose of acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen, even after I tell them that I have used all of then with only painful disappointment for results. People usually tell me the pain is all in my head, which it is but not in the way they assume. How can I find a doctor to diagnose me properly so that I can get a treatment that will at least kinda work?

It's an all too common problem. Some years ago studies showed that it often took many people up to six-years to get a good doc/dx; Improved, now down o 2-3.

But, if at all possible:

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.
====
Get off the pain meds; using more than about 3-5x a week can increase the number of attacks.

Just because you believe the symptoms match those of Cluster doesn't mean it's so. Many conditions mimic Cluster, but are not any form of headache. So, need a sharp doc to Dx and treat.

Print out the PDF file, below. If a doc says it's Cluster, these are the types of meds you should be receiving.
If you get something quite different, get back here and let us know.

---

What Bob said. ;) GP's get about 4 hours TOTAL headache training in doctor school, your garden variety neuros don't get much more...that covers literally hundreds of headache types. Worse, you're a girl. So as soon as you say headache, the doc hears migrains. It's a painfully common refrain.

Follow Bob's advice, get to a headache specialist, there are several headache types which mimic CH and it's important to eliminate them to get the best shot at an effective treatment regimen. Wishing you speed and luck in the diagnostic journey.

Joe

Thank you for the information! I am going back to set a doctor tomorrow and hopefully I will get some help. Thanks again