Hi Helen,

welcome to the board and sorry you have to be here...

It's completely "natural" that you're terrified but the beast won't kill you.

Until you have a diagnosis try energy drinks and lots of strong coffee at the first signs. Ice or hot showers sometimes help as well.
Check the links on the left and read as much as you can. Make sure to take the cluster quiz too.

There shortly will be more experienced users here to help you (compared to others I'm a newbie as well  )

Oliver

Sure sounds like you may be joining the club, sorry for that but glad you found us. A good diagnosis is critical as there are hundreds of headache types, meds that help for some are useless and even potentially harmful for others. Additionally there are more "sinister" problems you want to make sure you eliminate before you settle on a CH diagnosis. Take the cluster quiz on the left and start keeping as thorough a diary as you can. The diagnosis will be in the details. When the attack starts, how fast it builds, how high it builds, (use the KIP scale on  the left), how long it stays at peak and how fast it goes away.

Until you can get to a neuro and get a solid diagnosis, avoid alcohol, a major major trigger for many. Energy drinks containing caffeine and taurine, chugged at the first sign of an attack can help. Frozen peas on the affected side will also bring some relief.

Keep asking questions, knowledge is power with this stuff.

Guiseppi

Please NOT any neurologist! We have had too many of them who don't know enough to be helpful. Find this way:

1. Search the OUCH site (button on left) 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 speciality 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. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or ; On-line screen to find a physician.

5. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or 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.

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Start educating yourself: buttons on the left of this page, starting with OUCH.