I feel like it might be a little early to diagnose myself with CH, 3 weeks is nothing compared to the years that many people here have been suffering. But these 3 weeks have been very difficult for me. Started with 2-3 headaches a day with increasing pain. I've had many headaches but none of this magnitude. I became especially concerned the first time I was woken out of my sleep with excruciating pain.
I started to search online for my symptoms and came across CH. The symptoms were so familiar, pain behind the right eye, congested nose, extreme restlessness...

Last night was the worst attack I have had so far. That is how I came across this website. My girlfriend was trying to comfort me and she ended up getting online and found this site. After about 2 hours of the pain she found suggestions of coffee. After drinking a cup of coffee the pain subsided within minutes. When I first started getting these episodes I would take Tylenol and the headaches would go away in 30-45 minutes. Now, Tylenol does absolutely nothing. I'm wondering if this will happen with coffee also?

I'm glad that this site is here because I thought I was exaggerating my pain, but these posts reinforce my feelings about my attacks. They are excruciating, I've never felt pain like this in my life. I am 27 years old and I have read that these attacks generally start before the age of 30. I have not been to a doctor yet but plan to in the very near future. From what I read here many doctors might disregard what your feeling and I just want to make sure that I have a clear understanding of what is happening in my head so I can clearly and specifically describe it to my doctor.

I have been reading a lot of information from this site and I really appreciate the thoughts that everyone has to offer. It's good to know that I am not losing my mind.

How long should I wait before I can know that this is Cluster Headaches? I want to make sure that I'm not crying wolf...

Do the footwork to find a good doc so that you don't waste time in exchange for needless pain!
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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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Use the Rozen article as a tool to "interview" the doc you see. If he is thinking along the lines outlined and/or he refuses to accept your offer of this article, I'd be cautious.

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

Here is a link to read and print and take to your doctor.  It describes preventive, transitional, abortive and surgical treatments for CH. Written by one of the better headache docs in the U.S.  (2002)
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Michigan Headache & Neurological Institute for another list of treatments and other articles:

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