I haven't been fighting these headaches for years but months, though it feels longer.

To be sure I'm not even sure if it's ch, though it has many symptoms but it also may be linked to another form of headache. I have no idea. And the doctors don't either.

Back in last June I was in a car accident that hurt my ribs, collar bone and neck. The headaches started simple headaches before just going to one side. It was scary to notice that it hit at times. As usual people said tension headaches or something or the other. They were all wrong.

By the time the right side of my face went numb I went to the doctor. I got a shot for it which only worked for a little while, steroids, even an mri. Only one medication helps so I can sleep and have normal days.

Though the headaches did fade away after a while. And then they slowly came back, so I left my stressful job to stop it. And now just this week they are coming back full force.

Truth be told I am scared. I don't know if they will stop or if I can leave a normal life. Or if there is anything that will get it to go away...I even moved back my wedding in hope I won't get married on a day with this headache.

It's nice to know I'm not alone.

You're not alone, we are here a fellowship of sufferers who seek a means to manage our pain. But, we are primarily a fellowship who share in the pain of CHs. We know as much about those as do most in the medical community. Having said that, we are not doctors and what you need is a diagnosis from a good headache specialist. Some of what you describe does not sound like a typical CH and its onset appears to be the accident. Find a good neurologist who knows about headaches, keep a headache journal, and push to find out what is wrong with you. Blessings. lance

Thanks. :)

Most of the symptoms appear to be and one doctor said so. The neurologist thought it was either a cluster headache or another. I checked both symptoms and they seem to be a mixture of both.

I have the chronic attacks of the cluster headache that doesn't seemed to be caused by anything. In the same breath it is like another caused by a muscle tightening in the neck. But I only have two of those symptoms.

Its really frustrating. When I have insurance again I need to visit that neurologist, he's the only one that gave me anything to help the pain.

The docs may need to be introduced to the reality that there are disorders which MIMIC cluster but which are not primary hadache disorders. Without good diagnostic workup it's possible to end up treating the wrong problem.

Print out following and give to your doc.

Link to: cluster-LIKE headache.


Section, "Medications, Treatments, Therapies --> "Important Topics" --> "Cluster-LIKE headache"

aubell wrote on Jan 12^th, 2013 at 8:31am:

Most of the symptoms appear to be and one doctor said so. The neurologist thought it was either a cluster headache or another. I checked both symptoms and they seem to be a mixture of both.

It could be that you've multiple headache types which may or may not include CH. You really need to see a headache specialist to get a good, accurate diagnosis so you can get the appropriate treatment.