Hi,
Over the past 4 months I've had some episodes of headaches that I didn't understand. First to say, I am 56 years old. In June 2016 I woke up with double vision, turns out it was because of a nerve palsy in the sixth nerve with headaches or behind my right eye. They did MRI to confirm it wasn't a tumor. The pain was constant but would become unbearable at times during the day. All said it was probably because of my eye problem. Now it is Sept. and for the last 21 days I have had a constant headache/eyeache.this time the left side, but sometimes twice a day it bursts into a lightning bolt in my eye 10x what i was before, torturing, I can't think, I have to keep moving. I sit, then I have to stand, I rock, I lie down, I walk outside at 4am, I sit in the shower, nothing stops it. My MD gave me Treximet and Norcos but they are worthless. After a period of time it goes but always always is this residual pain and fear. My sister told me I have what she had in the past, Cluster Headaches. Hers would come in the Fall and last for a couple months, for many years, she said after menopause they have not come back, but she lives a fear they will return. Sorry to spill this here, nobody understands. My doctor, "oh it's just from the eye thing" Really 21 days with a constant pain in the opposite eye that escalates into unexplainable agony? IS it possible I am having Clusters at my age? Nothing else explains this.
Thanks for reading,
Paul

Hi Paul, and welcome,
Your first line of attack is to seek out a headache specialist in your area to get a proper diagnosis! Their are lots of headache types that mimic CH's, and the majority of doctors and neuros out there aren't up to speed when it comes down to diagnosing CH disease.

Hoppy

G'day Paul, welcome, and Hoppy is dead right. It must start with the correct diagnosis so it can be treated correctly.

A nice place to start is top-left of your screen where there's a button for our Cluster Quiz. Have a look at it, see if it helps, and let us know how you get on.

All headaches are horrible and we'll help you every way we can.

We care.

Thank you for the replies,
I had called a local Neurologist about an appointment. They said the next available was in the middle of October a month away. Then they called back and said they have to postpone another week.
That quiz was helpful, 1-8 no, the rest are hard to answer some. I don't know if it occurs every year at same time, 10-15 minutes totally pain free is a no, the rest yes. I watched my sister with these for years, I'll ask her who was her doctor. Thanks again

I take it that this is a new experience of this headache and you believe it may be Cluster. Very unusual for someone your age have to start  Cluster and--compounding the situation--there are many disorders which mimic Cluster but are not headache disorders.

Makes it the more impoortant to locate a headache specialist. Neuros, as a group, have meager training an highly recommend seeking a HA 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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WHY A HEADACHE SPECIALIST IS RECOMMENDED


Headache. 2012 Jan;52(1):99-113.
Cluster headache in the United States of America: demographics, clinical characteristics, triggers, suicidality, and personal burden.
Rozen TD, Fishman RS.

THERE REMAINS A SIGNIFICANT DIAGNOSTIC DELAY FOR CLUSTER HEADACHE PATIENTS ON AVERAGE 5+ YEARS WITH ONLY 21% RECEIVING A CORRECT DIAGNOSIS AT TIME OF INITIAL PRESENTATION.
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