A probable cluster headache case from a textbook of 1726: Francisco Suarez de Rivera's description.
Palma JA, Palma F.
SourceUniversity of Navarra, Spain. jpalmaca@unav.es

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Few descriptions of cluster and cluster-like headache made before the 19th century have been reported.

CASE DESCRIPTION: We present a previously unreported early description of a probable cluster headache case made by Francisco Suárez de Rivera (1686-c.1751), one of the main physicians of the Spanish Age of Enlightenment, writer of almost 40 textbooks about medicine, surgery, pharmacology, and therapeutics.

DISCUSSION: The depiction here reported of a woman with probable cluster headache is possibly one of the earliest known and, to our knowledge, the first in Hispanic literature. We also review other descriptions of cluster and cluster-like headache from the same time period.

PMID:21768182[PubMed]

I love this post.  I think there are probably many examples throughout history where cluster headache sufferers were misdiagnosed.

I've always felt that the practice of Trepanation was the result of an attempt to help someone suffering from cluster headaches.

Trepanation was the practice of boring holes into the skull to cure headaches, treat mental illness, or bring enlightment.  I know that when I was in the middle of an intense attack, before you guys got me using oxygen, this treatment sounded like a great idea.  It always sounded crazy when I was in remission, but during those first few times I was cycling and I didn't know what it was, those thoughts would cross my mind.  I think it makes sense that someone witnessing the suffering or someone in the midst of an attack would come up with that as a solution.  Especially considering the practice dates back to prehistoric times.

Another reason we are lucky to be living in a more modern era.  I imagine demonic possession, devine madness, curses, affliction of the gods, all could have been applied to a CH before there were proper methods of diagnosis.  I often felt like I was crazy or that others would doubt how I could feel such intense pain for days at a time and then be perfectly normal, in my case, for the next year or two.  Again, all before diagnosis.

I have no proof of my theories, so it's nice to see some evidence of our historical plight.  Thank you for that, Bob!

I've often wondered how us CHeads fared during the Inquisitions. As if the disease isn't torture enough.

AussieBrian wrote on Feb 25^th, 2012 at 6:21pm:

I've often wondered how us CHeads fared during the Inquisitions. As if the disease isn't torture enough.

They probably got tortured even more than most people due to the combination of CH itself plus an increased pain tolerance.

Could you imagine trying to sit through Church during the Salem Witch trials with an attack?  Either you were going to burn on the stake or someone else was going to be blamed for the attack and they were going to burn.