Hi all, well lemme start off first by telling you guys a little bit about me.  Im 33, female, dont smoke, rarely drink, dont drink coffee or have much caffeine at all.

A few years ago I started getting AWFUL headaches, only on my right side.  They would start at the back of my head(At the base of skull) and radiate slightly up my head and down my neck.  I would have these Everyday for about 1-2 months, then they would go away for a few months only to come back again for a few.  This has been going on for about 2-3 years.

When I start getting them, They start off hurting and progressivly get worse as the month or 2 goes on.  They get alot better when I am laying down, as soon as Im awake for  1Hour-2 hours I get them and nothing really helps at all except for Advil, which only occasionally helps. When they are at their worst(The last month or so) NOTHING helps. Also my head hurt to the touch, if I touch where the head hurts. 

Does this sound like Cluster headaches?

Also I dont have any nausea etc just the headaches, and I might Add when they are at their worst, its the worst pain I have ever been through in my life.  Thanks in advance for the thoughts/answer on this question :)

Quote:

They get alot better when I am laying down, as soon as Im awake for  1Hour-2 hours I get them and nothing really helps at all except for Advil

Don't sound like it to me.

Doesnt sound like it me either. Laying down and cluster is almost tabu! Advil? I wish it were that easy :o. U have a specialist u could see?
Anthony

Cndnchickie, 

     If you need to go lay down...I can almost guarantee it isn't cluster headaches. Also using Advil on a cluster headache is like trying to kill a tiger with a paper airplane.

To the left of where you're reading this now are some links.  Click on cluster traits as well as the cluster quiz.

None of us here are doctors but with our collective years of experience as well as working with  Neurologists who are trying to help us..we really do have knowledge that even most GP's don't have about this condition.  What you describe soundfs  more like Migraines to me.

Ditto what everybody else said...

Advil nor other OTC meds do not help ease the pain of cluster headaches.  Also, it is next to impossible to lay down while experiencing a cluster headache attack.  Based on the advil and laying down statements you typed, I would guess no.  As Linda pointed out, take the cluster quiz and review the cluster traits, etc.

You may consider seeing a headache specialist to diagnose your head pain.  Might be serious requiring immediate medical intervention, might be lifestyle related....stress/diet/exercise/an old pillow/seasonal change/etc.

Imitrex works for all headache disorders and might be something to speak to your doc about to help ease the pain.

Slamming a Redbull or energy drink at the onset of your pain may help you as well.

Apply ice, head under cold faucet, face in the freezer, etc.

Hopefully it's not Cluster Headaches nor something else very serious.

Good Luck!

I on the other hand, almost ALWAYS lay down. I'm a 33 year episodic sufferer and my position when getting creamed is lying down, both arms wrapped around my head, doing the "bicycle kick" with my feet. Everything else you describe sounds a lot like CH to me!

You start to see why it's critical to get to a headache specialist neurologist as there are so many headache types, and even people who suffer from the same headache types have varying symptoms, and responses to treatments. It gets more critical for a woman with headache symptoms as they'll want to classify all women head pain as migrains. It's delayed a correct diagnosis for many on our board.

Get pro-active. Keep a headache diary of when the attack starts, how fast the pain builds, how high the pain builds, how long it stays at peak pain, how fast it goes away. What type of pain, it's location, any auxiliary symptoms relating to eyes, sinus etc. while getting attacked. Try and isolate any triggers. The more detailed the better. Patterns will become much easier to spot.

Then get yourself to a headache specialist neurologist and get a full work up done. There are so many treatments available for headache pain it's a shame not to avail yourself of them. Only other advice I can give is go easy on the OTC meds, they'll do a number o the tummy and internal organs over time. :'(

Wishing you peace and some pain free time soon.

Joe

This is a far more complex area of medicine than most folks realize. There are many disorders which mimic headache/Cluster and only working with a sharp doc will help.
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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.

Hi Cndnchickie

For me, I relate to some of your points, but others don't make sense. But then, as everyone here should know, there isn't such a thing as a 'standard case'!?!
The best advice given is the only advice to follow, get to see a specialist headache doc. It could be CH, it could be something else, minor or major. But whatever it is, the one thing this site is not here for is diagnosis, its here to offer help and advice on dealing with diagnosed CH. From the best experts there are, those of us who suffer.

Hope your soon PF

Andrew

Quote:

I on the other hand, almost ALWAYS lay down. I'm a 33 year episodic sufferer and my position when getting creamed is lying down, both arms wrapped around my head, doing the "bicycle kick" with my feet. Everything else you describe sounds a lot like CH to me!

oh wow so someone else does the bicycle fetal position thing.....

I never realized it until my wife caught me in the bedroom one time. Knew I always wrapped my head, but apparently I look like Lance Armstrong when I'm really getting creamed!

Joe