Recently, when I have a Cluster attack I get this knot on the back of my neck.  After the episode I have noticed that the site where the knot occurred is VERY sore.  To the point that it hurts to touch it.  Is this normal?  Anybody get the knots?

Thanks,
Allen  

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Yes it's fairly common, I used to be convinced there was a nerve that ran from there to near the back of my eye,...and if I could just severe that nerve.... :-/

Guiseppi

Yep.

They seem to be most commonly located at the sphenopalatine ganglion (at the base of the skull) or at C5 (the fifth cervical vertebra) on the cluster side.  I get mine at C7, where the neck meets the shoulder.  A few people get them on the roof of the mouth.  One person that I know of gets one on the cheek.

Not everyone gets them, by any means.

It seems to be swollen nerve ganglia, and associated tissue.  Long ago, I used to think the knot caused the headache, but it's pretty certain that it's the other way around--the headache causes the knot.  Putting ice on the affected area can help.

And yes--it's miserable.

Best wishes,

George

Ohh Yaa,  the lovely neck pain thing which is just a kindly reminder of what you just experienced in case you forgot!!  I get them bad and agree, I used to think it was the neck pain causing the h/a but pretty sure its the other way around.  My pain actually begins just under my head goes down my neck and sometimes even makes that muscle at the tip of my shoulder blade sore.  Nonetheless, I see a chiropracter from time to time but don't get excited, it does nothing for my clusters just makes my neck/back feel a little better!  Plus, I stay away from the Chiro when in a bad bout because one time I was really suffering and went to get my neck adjusted and the beast released a whop-a$$ bombshell on me for a few days.  I dont know if the neck adjustment provoked that or not but I'm not willing to test it again during a bad bout after that!  I use ice, those ice bandages you can get from Walmart/Pharmacy or if I ask nice, I get my wife to rub my neck which seems to help!

Dave

get the knot - back of neck.  i always wanted to tap-in a valve there at the knot and open it during attack.

chiro releases massive beast.

Yeah, knots like that are common.  I use aspercream or aspirin, massage and chiropractic, and (not too hot) hot-packs to deal with it.  

It is referred pain and descending activation of the nerves - it originates higher up, and then there is inflammation in the nerve bundle.  Next cycle, I am going to try a cortisone cream on the bulge to see if that helps.

Thanks!  I'll try the ice pack tonight.  My wife got me some Aspercream to try too.  

It puts the Aspercream on its knot, or it gets the hose!!!!

I got the big lump/knot on the back of my neck a month before my first headache 10 years ago.  My wife noticed it before I did.

I use maximum strength Theragesic - it's like aspercreme.  I don't know if they all work this way, but you can put Theragesic all around your neck, leave it for 10-15 minutes, and then shower it off, and the pain killing effect lasts quite awhile (on the neck muscles, anyway - won't help your head).

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It puts the Aspercream on its knot, or it gets the hose!!!!

God I loved that episode!