Hi, I'm Motleigh (as in Motley Crue LOL)

I'm a 41 year old, married female in excellent health. I take NO medicine for any conditions, my BP is just fine.

last Saturday, I experienced a pain behind my left eye that felt like someone stabbing me with an ice pick, and was very sensitive to light I took a Tylenol and went to take a nap. Since then the pain has dulled down to about sinus infection levels, still on the left side
I went to the DR on Monday, was prescribed butalbital and was scheduled for a CT scan. the pills did nothing to dull the pain
the CT was completely clear and on Wednesday I was prescribed sumatriptan 100 mg. That just made me feel really weird and doped up, but didn't help the headache
Thursday I was prescribed Amitriptyline 10 mg, The headache is now a little duller, but even strangers can still see that I have a headache from the squinting(still sensitive to light) The Dr said she thought it was either an Ocular migraine or a cluster headache.
Today (Friday) I had an eye doctor check for signs of an Ocular migraine. All tests were normal.
So now I have had this headache almost a week and cant shake it. the Doctor is ordering an MRI and scheduling me with a neurologist.

Are there any questions I should be asking? any meds to request? any behavioral changes I should try? any other advice?

sorry for any typos, or places where I'm unclear, I just hurt so much I can't think clearly

General neurologists receive strikingly little training treating complex headache disorders. If you have the option, find a headache specialist.
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LOCATING HEADACHE SPECIALIST

1. 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.

2.  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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.
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One of the major diagnostic problems is that there are a number of disorders which mimic Cluster but which are not primary headche disorders. It's requires some skill and experience to do a through diagnostic work-up.

Welcome Motleigh - Sorry you are here, but glad you found this board - the people here will try to help you as much as possible - I've learned alot in my one month time visiting.  Please know that we all know how you feel and we know how difficult it is to deal with head pain.  Keep persisting in finding a good doc and be your own advocate.  Dealing with Headaches is not an easy task when they become severe.

Where do you live ? (General area) as someone on this board maybe able to recommend a decent doc near you. 

Take the cluster quiz.......the  tabs on the left..... and bring the results to your neuro. If you're not already keeping a headache journal, start one. Where the pain is what type of pain, stabbing, boring, pounding etc. What meds do and don't help, any physical symptoms you observe with your eyes or sinuses. The diagnosis will be in the details. As Bob mentioned, garden variety neuros are notorious for not having a good knowledge base on headache disorders. If there is ANY WAY you can get to a headache specialist neurologist, it's your best chance at an accurate diagnosis and an effective treatment regimen. Hoping you get a swift diagnosis and some relief soon.

Joe

Thanks for the welcome.

I live in the country about halfway between Kansas City and Springfield Mo. My first choice is to go to Kansas City as I have relatives there.

I have taken the cluster quiz and it doesn't quite seem like what I have. Mine is a constant pain, not just intermittently.

I got results back from some bloodwork I had done Thursday. My Dr wrote "Sed rate is normal which indicates no inflammation. This helps rule out several causes of headache-this is a reassuring finding"

While the pain is still constant, the Amitriptyline is helping me sleep, so I am going to continue taking that.

I'm episodic and one year I had a cycle like that. It was the middle of the summer and it was very wet. It had rained a lot and my cycle started out with a dull headache. The sensation levels would fluctuate, but never did it get painful. That lasted for about a week and at the end I had three major headaches, then nothing for another year. I wish it were that way all the time!

Motleigh,
Welcome to the forum. As for questions you might want to take stock of the headache. What kind of pain is it? Does it change at all? Where is the pain? What makes it better? What makes it worse? Can you lie down? (Many of us can't when we're having  a headache) Are you light sensitive? (Some of us are, some aren't) What is your blood pressure during the headache? Pulse? Don't be afraid to take notes. Write down details such as if a smell makes the pain worse, or sneezing sends the pain off the chart, or makes it better. Keep reading, researching and observing. The more you know, the more you can help the doctor make an accurate diagnosis and formulate a good treatment plan. Please let us know what happens. In the meantime, know that you have found a place where the pain is understood and you are among friends. Pain free wishes,

Rep