I've been suffering from migraines for the past ten years. About a month ago I got the worst "migraine" I'd ever had. I took my medication (which always used to work) and just layed in my room, lights off and alone (what I typically do for my migraines), crying because I didn't know if I could cope with the pain.
I figured it was just a terrible migraine, until it happened again two days later. Then again a day or two after that. And since then, it's been once a day to ever other day, starting within a half half hour of 9pm. Always on the right side, always behind my eye (it feels like my eyeball is coming out of the socket), and always terribly painful. The first was the worst, but every one causes such severe pain that I can barely walk.
My doctor figured it was just migraines and diagnosed me a different kind of medication. Well, this medication does not work AT ALL. They are still occurring daily or nearly daily.
Tonight, while reading up on possible causes for worsening migraines, I came across a description for cluster headaches and wondered if this could be what is happening to me.

I'm not asking for a diagnosis, just your honest opinions on if this sounds like what you go through, or if you think this IS just severe migraines. I'm only 19 and a woman, so the odds of getting them at my age are VERY slim.
Also, is there any way to get a definite diagnosis? Or do doctors just base it off your symptoms?

Thank you any and all for your help!



**After reading several more posts relating to this one, I would like to let you guys know that I've looked in several places to find a headache specialist and the closest one is 6+ hours from here... I live in Northern Idaho D:

Taylerrae,
Sorry to read your posting of pain. :(  We understand here about head pain, moreso than any other group of people in the world.   ;)

Take a good look at the left side of your screen and be honest with yourself when taking the "cluster quiz".  Then if you still are unsure, you will see a link to another quiz to help you identify a bit more.  From there, answer your own question if you think you have Cluster Headaches and decide if you want to print your quiz results and take to a headache specialist, not just a doctor. 

A doctor is the most qualified to diagnose any disorder.  You mentioned the panhandle of Idaho.  I took my son up there 3 summers ago for a backpacking trip and could see myself moving up there, absolutely beautiful country with friendly people.  There are plenty of doctors in Cd'A and Spokane.  Ideally, you see a headache specialist.

You mentioned being 19 and female.  Your age has nothing to do with Cluster Headaches, mine started at age 11.  Many others have started younger than that.  There are plenty of females on this website who suffer, so gender is not an issue either.  Plenty of young females on this site that suffer from Cluster Headaches.

There are many types of headaches that may feel like Cluster Headaches that are NOT truly Cluster Headaches.  There is a link on the left side of your screen titled "headache links", check it out.

I just checked the OUCH website (left side of your screen) and there are no recommended doctors in Idaho for Cluster Headache treatment, nor any doctors listed in Spokane.  This does not mean there are not any qualified doctors in your area.  This only means nobody from this website or from the OUCH website has recommended a doctor to be placed on this recommended list.  I did find this doctor's name in Missoula: Dr. Stephen F. Johnson Montana Neurobehavioral Specialists. 

If you really get stuck finding a headache specialist, go to the "where we live" section (left side of your screen) and click on Idaho-you will see the names of some individuals from the panhandle in Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls.  The rest of the people in ID seem to be way south by Boise, Idaho Falls or Pocatello. 

Same search concept for Washington with MANY Cluster Headache sufferers in Spokane.  My bet is you find most luck finding a qualified headache specialist in Spokane.

And if you are closer to MT, than WA...click on Montana-and you will see several in Missoula, etc. 

I mention this because you are not alone up there in the panhandle, it's 45 minutes from Cd'A to Spokane, right?  And about 3 hrs to Missoula on I-90 with a pit stop in the friendly historic mining town of Wallace, right?

Click on those people's names and you will be able to email them directly.  Perhaps you could ask another "local" of there recommendation for a qualified doctor in your area.  Certainly could only help you find local qualified doctors/neurologists/headache specialists, right?

Lots to read here. "Knowledge is Power"! 

We are always willing to help a newcomer.  Don't be shy.  Feel free to ask questions and vent if you need.  We do understand head pain!  Good Luck!  ;)

That's some good advice and direction from LasVegas there. I'd also say what you are experiencing sounds like CHs, but you do need a diagnosis from someone with experience. Not only to rule out other, more seriously sinister cluster-like headaches, but for the Rx's. You really can't treat the two in the same way, except maybe for imitrex. Yes, diagnosis is clinical and can be tiring, ruling out one condition after another. if you do find a doc willing to explore this with you, while exploring, give high flow O2 with a proper nonrebreather mask a try. If it helps, great. Read up by clicking on the oxygen info tab at left. But do pursue this. Your is, unfortunately, not so rare a case. There is help though. Let us know how you get on. God bless. lance

Welcome to the board. Yeah, we're not doctors, but we've heard enough horror stories to point you in a good direction.

Sadly, young women DO get CH. If you peruse these boards you'll find a boatload of women here, many suffer from BOTH CH and migrains. Dual diagnosis, while not really common, does occur, and makes it that much more important to go through a headache specialist neurologist to give you the best shot at an accurate diagnosis and an effective treatment regimen.

Get started with a thorough headache diary. Describe as much of your migrain history as you can, and then be as detailed as you can with your new headaches. When they start, how fast the pain builds, how high it builds, how long it stays at peak, how fast it goes away. location and type of pain, possible triggers. The final diagnosis will be in the details, a thorough diary is a great diagnostic tool.

Wishing you some answers and pain free time soon.

Joe

I thought I'd be able to jump in and maybe give you some advice but it looks like you already got some great advice. Find a good doctor & get a diagnosis to rule out other more serious problems, maybe try some high flow O2 in the meantime, and know you're not alone with this kind of pain.

Goodluck !

I would echo what Gregg (Las Vegas) and Lance had to say.

If you go back in the archives of this site you will find over and over that "Wimminz don't get CH", so you know you don't have CH!  :D  You may even find a Dr or two that will tell you it cannot be CH because you are female.  If you do simply leave their office and don't go back.  They are about 50 years behind in their studies.

I'm male, but I started along the same course you seem to be on at about the same age, although I was diagnosed at about 23.  Back then nothing was known about them, so be glad you are young and born after more has been learned about them.  There is a tremendous amount of information available now that was not then, and along with it a lot of different methods of dealing with CH.  You can learn to live with CH and function well.

Jerry

Callico wrote on Oct 27^th, 2011 at 7:18pm:

You can learn to live with CH and function well. Jerry

Amen