Hi all,

I stumbled across this forum in the hope that I could find others experiencing the same pain as me.

I think this is the first 'cluster' I've ever had.....

I'm a 23 y/o male in the UK and from about the age of 16/17 I experienced what I was told at the time were migraines.

I had a few throughout the years but have been severe headache free for a good few years.

On Monday morning at 5am I was woken by the worst pain i've ever had in my life, a pulsating and throbbing around my eye and in my temple on the left side of my head. I took some ibuprofen but was restless for a good hour or so before I could fall back to sleep.

I went to the doctor that day who thought it was a migraine and told me to rest and take ibuprofen if it happens again....

Well it happened again! On tuesday afternoon, wednesday morning, wednesday evening (at which point i called my doctor who prescribed me sumatriptan). And then today, Thursday, I've had a sore scalp (tender to touch and stings in the shower) and a stiff neck. I've managed to escape another attack today but have a constant dull headache that i just can't shake.

Researching these symptoms sent me here, and having read a few posts it seems like I'm in the same boat as most of you guys.

I just wanted to get your experienced opinion really... am I a clusterhead?

At which point do I go back to see my doc again and tell him this is what I think is going on?

And do you have any tips on what to do at the beginning of an attack to curb the pain a little? Sumatriptan tabs aren't really working and I've read that there are some other tips or tricks to try, and if they work then I'd be very grateful!

Thanks all

Georgewhufc

You have an excellent support group in the U.K. Sugget you work with them both on treatment and learning how your medical system allows direct movement to headache clinics, by-passing local services.

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George wrote, On Monday morning at 5am I was woken by the worst pain i've ever had in my life, a pulsating and throbbing around my eye and in my temple on the left side of my head. I took some ibuprofen but was restless for a good hour or so before I could fall back to sleep.

Doesn't fit the bill for a CH. Best to check in with a headache specialist for a proper diagnosis. In the meantime take the cluster quiz, the link is to your left on this page.

Hoppy

Thanks Hoppy, just wondered why you thought that doesn't fit the bill?

I thought the sudden onset and wake up call would mean it's unlikely to be a migraine, and since I've had them so frequently since then I was thinking cluster could be the answer  :-[

George, over the counter pain killers won't do shit when it comes to aborting a CH, and you wouldn't be able to ride it out by laying in bed.

50mg Imigran tabs with a hot strong cup of coffee were my go too, and would abort the  [smiley=evil.gif] in 15-20mins providing I caught it in time.

Hoppy