I didn't see this area when I posted my first post, so I am going to post here too.....

My daughter is 5 1/2 and has been having headaches for a few days then it gets better and then the come back again.  We have done so many different tests and now they are thinking that she has cluster migraines.  I am wondering from those that have them if I could get some insight as to what might cause them for you or how you get rid of them.  Ibuprofen seems to help to an extent but sometimes she needs to sleep or just lay down to help it.  Any help in trying to get this figured out would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Sweetpea  :)

Hello there concerned parent....take a look at the Cluster Quiz to the left of your screen.  It should help you understand that your daughter most likely does not have cluster headaches. 

I say this off the cuff right away for 2 reasons...Ibuprofin does not touch the pain of a CH and nobody with CH's can just lay down and try to sleep it off. 

Hopefully the tests your daughter goes through reveals something very simple such as adjustment to her diet, getting more exercise or has allergies to the pollen common in the air this Spring. 

If needed, here are some resources to finding a headache specialist....
1. Search the OUCH site START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE for a list of recommended M.D.s.

2. Yellow Pages phone book: look for "Headache Clinics" in the M.D. section and look under "neurologist" where some docs will list specialty areas of practice.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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. Call 1-800-643-5552; 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.

6. 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.  Good luck  :)

Hello,

I began having clusters in about the 3rd grade so I can completely relate to the pain your child is going through. Unfortunately, there is really nothing to 'cure' them. I know that children's tylenol does not work, nor will any other over the counter meds. What I had to do until I formally diagnosed in high school was to just sleep it off and experiment with different otc meds. I do hope that the doctors find something that helps her and don't let the doctors try to convince you that your child is too young to get clusters.

Good luck!

And, of course, a cluster headache is not a migraine and a migraine is not a cluster headache.

Bob P wrote on Jul 20^th, 2012 at 6:46am:

And, of course, a cluster headache is not a migraine and a migraine is not a cluster headache.

But to help confuse things, you can have both cluster headaches and migraines.

Childhood migraines are horrible as well.  My youngest son suffered from them at an early age until he was in high school.  They gradually tapered off and now he only gets them occaionally.  But when he was young, they became quite debilitating for him.  I would get calls from the school and at that point he was vomitting and crying, but only wanted to lay down in the cool dark room with no sounds.  My one nephew had them also!  Hard to see a child go through that.  Excedrine Migraine workd for my son and also nephew, but ONLY if it was taken at the very onset of the headache.  Ice packs on the back of the neck or on the head felt good to him.  I remember getting calls from him at sleep overs and scout camp, to come get him.  My sister's son is quite a bit younger, and they found when he was very little that a couple of the Tylenol childrens losenger style, he could take and keep down and gave a little relief for him. (making it tolerable)  As a mother, you weep, wishing you had them instead of them. 

I am not saying it can't be clusters, just continue trying to see if you can get some answers and try a few different options.  Begin a journal or notebook of everything involved; weather, foods, time of day, how long they last, what they take, if it gave any relief or aborted it.  Good luck to you

It would be quite rare indeed for a child that young to be suffering from cluster headaches. Ibuprofen is generally non-effective against the cluster pain, so that could be some good news for you. Aside from seeing a trained expert, keeping a detailed log on the headaches, the time, length, etc. could really help in trying to figure out what is happening.