Not entirely sure where to start, but it seems that there is more info in this forum than on the internet. I can't tell if I am having CH or not. I am not asking for a diagnoses but just maybe a little affirmation. Going on two and half weeks now I have been getting headaches in the evening.

They are dull pains in the neck then slowly going to the eye and picking up intensity. They then encompass the entire left half of my head. I have been looking extensively at symptoms of CH and the pain is line with them. But from what I have read they seem to start suddenly then leave suddenly. These do not they slowly gather strength then after about an hour they taper off a bit, but are still painful. Lying down makes them worse. My eyes water and nose runs during a headache, but my eye does not swell.

Also I have noticed from observing some of the posts on here that most sufferers of CH get numerous attacks daily. I only get one and it is usually around 8:30-9:00pm, but I have had one or two that woke me in the night. Usually the day after the areas of my sinus cavities are sore also, and my neck always feels like it's full of pressure. I got one last night, and before last night I had one three days prior. So the days I get them are sporadic.

I would really appreciate some insight as I am at a loss. Some of the symptoms line up and some don't. I went to the doctor five days ago and he gave me Antibiotics for a sinus infection but suggested that CH might be a cause. Thanks guys for reading.

Has this been happening regularly? Does it happen in a pattern? Like, will it leave and then come back months or years later? It may be a cluster. Does one eye leak? It could also be an Atypical Migraine which look a lot like clusters but they happen once for a specific period and they don't come back in a pattern. For me, the pain can change where it is. One time it will be behind the eyes, the next across the whole cranium. I would try massaging your neck and shoulders, to relieve tension. It may help. Best of luck to you.
-Chanae

I have a had a headache like this before. It happened while I had impacted wisdom teeth, but that was nearly 10 yrs. ago. My left eye does water bad.

They stay consistent in terms of area of pain. It is always a dull ache in the neck then goes to my left eye where it hurts the most. Then my cheekbone, eye, brow and neck hurt soon after. I have tried massaging but the areas of pain are so sensitive that it makes them worse. Thank you for your reply and I will look up Atypical migraines.

Good on you for doing your homework to start attempting a diagnosis. The internet is great for getting you going in the right direction. That being said, get a referral to a qualified headache specialist neurologist. Much of what you describe sound spot on for cluster headache. It also sounds like a tumor! I say that not to be flippant, but the reality is the head is a scary, complex thing! Sudden onset head pain is something you want an expert to do a work up on. There's a good chance what you're describing is CH. Which makes it all the more important you get to a good headache doc. If it is CH, it lasts a lifetime, the sooner you're working with someone who knows what they're doing, the less pain you'll suffer in the long run.

Wishing you some pain free time soon.

joe

Hi trebek_dkm   [smiley=wave.gif]

Every ones CH is different. Some start suddenly, others build up slowly. Some people get an attack once every few days and some can have 10 or more a day. Episodic sufferers will have periods of remission lasting anything from a few months, to several years, but chronic sufferers don't get a break. Most of us get woken in the night while others only have day time attacks. And it can change from one episode to another - even which side of the face is effected in some cases. The only thing we can be sure of having in common is the  excrutiating pain and the effect it has on our lives.

  From what you describe it does sound as if it could be CH. Take the cluster quiz (tab on the left of your screen), but it is vital, repeat VITAL, that you get a proper diagnosis. Self diagnosis can be dangerous so ask your doctor to refer you to a headache specialist who should arrange scans to rule out anything sinister. Once you have a diagnosis there is plenty of help available in the form of the correct meds, and a wealth of helpful tips you will find right here on this site. But I can only repeat that a correct diagnosis must come first. You can't treat it till you know what it is, and there are many conditions which mimic CH.

Hope this helps a little and please come back to ask questions, or just rant if you need to. We all know what you go through.
Best wishes
Maz

If you plan to stick around, please:
It will help us to direct you to good sources of assistance if you will tell us where you live (city & state, if U.S. or country). At the Home page: Help button-->Edit & Profile --> Location.
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Headache is not a simple problem. Far too many types and another large group of disorders which mimic headache. Really need a specialist, if at all possible, for most docs lack real training/epxerience in headache.

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.

Hi and welcome

There are some symptoms that sounds CH-like, but since there are multiple headache types with similar symptoms and other causes that give the same symptoms it is really something that you need to see a headache specialist about. You cannot diagnose things like this yourself.

Start keeping a headache diary, recording when you get the headache, pain levels, symptoms, duration, possible causes and anything else you can think of. This can help the doctors with the diagnosis.

And read up all you can, being clued up is very useful.