Hello My name is Sam. I'm new to the site, but I've been have my headaches for about a 4 years now. Started when I was in high school and they happen every year around the same time for a couple of weeks. They only last about 15-20 mins usually, but they've lasted longer before. The only thing I'm concerned about is whether or not they are considered cluster headaches. I don't want to falsely diagnose myself.

When they happen it's usually on only one side of my head. It feels like something is is trying to burst out of my eye and temple. I can usually ease the pain by putting pressure on my temple area. When they get bad, sometimes my nose will get stuffed or runny and the eye on the side of the pain may tear up. They usually happen once a day, but sometimes they can happen twice.

The thing is, I have seen videos of other people who go through cluster headaches and they look like they are suffering through unbearable pain. The pain I have is nothing compared that. It doesn't make me scream or cry, but it does hurt enough to where I need to stop, sit down and wait until it passes. That's where I don't know if its a cluster headache. Are there different levels of pain associated with CH's or does it have to be excruciating pain to be classified as one? Also, this year, the pain switched to the other side of my head. Can that happen?

You cannot diagnose yourself. There are dozens of what are termed "cluster-mimics", headaches which are not headache disorders but which apppear to be. There can arise from a wide variety of other problems, some of which are serious.

So, why you need a good headache specialist. If at all possible, find a specialist for most docs have meager education in treating complex headache disorders, this inculdes neurologists where you would expect to find knowledge.
===
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.
====
And don't fall into the trip of either diagnosing yourself or treating yourself.
==
If you think you'll stick around, please:

Please tell us where you live. Follow the next line to a message which explains why knowing your location and your medical history will help us to help you. Follow this chain:    CLUSTER HEADACHE HELP AND SUPPORT › GETTING TO KNOW YA › NEWBIES, HELP US...HELP YOU