Hello everybody, first off, I want to say that I do not suffer from CHs. I feel blessed, reading what people go through is terrible. This site has really made me feel great that I have had a healthy life, with the worst thing ever happening to me being a hernia. With that said, and my anxiety being through the roof, I have been having problems lately and I am hoping that this isn't a sign of me developing CH.

I have always had this tic of blinking/squinting my left eye, usually when I'm driving. Probably a mild form of tourettes, nothing major. It does get excessive though, but I can't do much about it.

2 nights ago on my way home from work, I got home and noticed that my left eye was burning, on it and behind it. It didn't really hurt but it was noticeable. No tears, droopiness, or redness. After that subsided, my mind won't let me stop paying attention to every detail of feelings on my left eye. It feels like a slight amount of pressure that comes and goes. Hits me more at night or when I watch TV. I woke up around 4AM last night just paranoid that it was going to get worse. No pain, just slight pressure that comes and goes. I just can't get my mind off of the left side of my head.

I noticed today that my left eye looks a tiny bit more swollen, but again no redness or tears. I would say my face is sweating, but it's been humid these last 2 days, so sweating is normal for me.

I guess my question is.... is this a sign at all of CHs? I know this sounds pathetic, especially with what you guys here deal with, but I don't like to rule anything out. Did anybody have these problems before they had CH attacks?

I hope I haven't offended anyone, but any answer is appreciated.

Thank you all

Nope.

   Potter

I was also getting toothaches a couple days before. That's another time when my eye, or the area behind it,  started to ache as well.

Your answer is reassuring though

There are many, many different possible reasons for the symptoms you describe. I'm no doctor, none of us are, but to me it sounds more like a problem with your eye than any of the "headache family".

You should see a doctor, because as you said you shouldn't rule anything out, but to my mind, if you had CH, you would be left in no doubt.It's an all consuming pain that hits like an Iron bar in the face,and you wouldn't be thinking "I wonder if it's CH".

Other symptoms don't really develop into CH. All your life it's not there, and then one day it is. And you know it !!!

Please see your doctor to rule out anything serious.
Hope this helps.
Maz.

There is no way that any of us can give a diagnosis for something like this. You need to see a medical doctor in person, explain what the symptoms are and let them do the diagnosis.

Hope it is something you can get sorted out quickly.

Best wishes

I would check with a neurologist, but sure doesn't sound like a cluster.  Not enough pain.

Your symptoms are vague at this point. There is a $ risk in doctor shopping at this stage for you may end up spending big bucks trying to get a Dx--a risk/judment call for you.

BUT, both our experience and formatl studies show that neurologists are poorly educated/trained re. complex headache disorders. IF you wish to seek diagnosis, start searching for a headache specialist, if at all possible.
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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.

Thanks for the responses.

Went to an Ophtamolagist, my eyes are fine. I need glasses because my right eye is nearsighted, making my left eye compensate. Don't know if that is what's causing the pressure in my left eye to come at night or whenever I look at a computer or my phone.

Had a horrible toothache and found out I need 3 teeth removed, but he said since my upper tooth isn't aching that it can't be a bacterial infection that would put pressure on my sinus.

I do get a random contraction in my eye every once in a while, maybe once everyday? Usually behind my left eye. Guess I'll have to get an MRI, I'm hoping its from my squinting habit and that I look at my smartphone too much. My eyes never get droopy, teary, or dry though.

It's quite comforting to know that CHs do not slowly develop. Thanks everybody.

Hi Gerry,
Check out the cluster quiz, the link is to your left of this page.It will help answer some of your :question.

Cheers, Hoppy.

Ref your reply #7.

We see this picture over and over--teeth,eyes,etc.--trying to find a cause. Self-diagnosis is not possible becasue there ae so many possible sources of Cluster-LIKE pain. A study out of England outlined how many people had seen 6 or more docs over a 6-yr span trying to get their problem diagnosed.

We've learned that getting focused on a headache specialist is more effective and less expensive in the long run.