I'm the opposite of Fubar and Charlie, I vaguely remember in my early teens these "sharp" headaches that would disappear as fast as they started. Didn't get what I now recognize as classic CH cycles until my late teens. Didn't have my first KIP 8-9 until my early 20's.

However both of my daughters had nasty period related headaches, starting when their cycles started, age 12-13. They are 24 and 22 now, neither developed CH.

Here's hoping it's just those damned hormones!

Guiseppi

Before I had my first real hit, some 15 years ago, I had some minor headpains in the 1 or 2 weeks prior. Not sure if they were the precursor to my CH, shadows or whatever, but it most likely was. They were however nothing in comparison to that fateful day I got the Beast in all it's unholy glory.
Even now, when my cycle starts, the first week is just some sharp stabbing in my temple and forehead. And allthough I don't remember exactly the headhurt prior to my very first hit, I assume they are kinda the same birds of a feather.

I really hope your daughter is not bound to be a clusterhead, but if so, you do have the knowledge and material to work with, which is a lot more than most people here had in the beginning (there's your silver lining).

Please keep us posted, and here's hoping that it isn't CH.

All the best from the Netherlands, Pascal.

I never had a ha in my life before this one day when bam I was hit with a cluster headache and it just was very intense and miserable ha.  They came on like gang busters with 8 ha a day and that is the way they remain.  My son who has ch came on suddenly also.

I always hate to mention this here, but I have "structural migraines."  My neck and back are screwed up and I get screaming headaches due to that.  Bad posture, slouching over a desk or work station, too much time on the computer, and reading a good book for too long in one position are all triggers to send my back into overdrive.  Sleeping without a good neck support pillow wakes me up in pain, in the night just like your daughter.

One "doctor" told me my headaches were due to the fact that one leg is 1/2' shorter than the other and the only cure was cutting my other leg down by 1/2" to compensate . . . . pfffffffffft.  Needless to say I ran from her and never looked back.

Chiropractic makes my headaches quite manageable.  I get adjusted every 8 weeks or so and it keeps the headaches down to once or twice a month.  If I have been doing lots of mosaicking or reading, I'll go in to my Chiro at the first twinge to keep my personal beast away.

Your daughter's growing and changing, maybe she'd benefit from a consult and adjustments?  JrBrew's been adjusted since he was a baby and he knows when he needs to see our Chiro.  

Standard disclaimer: I know Chiros can't treat or cure everything, but their adjustments work in my case.  And just like in any other field, there are quacks and charlatans who practice chiropractic.  Find one who uses the Thompson technique (manual adjustments) and doesn't drop vitamins on your stomach and claim Godlike qualities.  Ask people you know who they use.

Good luck Woobs!

for me first ever cycle this year @ 50.................................just regular headaches throughout life, a bout with migraines years ago.............
deb

I had HA's all through my teens but no clusters.
I can still remmeber the day of my first CH attack over fifteen years ago,  I had just got home from a stressful day at work and was starting relax then bam felt like someone drove an ice pick through my eye with a sledge hammer,  it lasted about 45min and was gone but it returned every night for over a month.     Phil

Hello Woobie:

I started having occasional migraines at age 5.  They went away in a year or so and didn't come back until I was a senior in High School.  They lasted through college, then quit.  7 years later, out of the blue, I got whacked with my first cluster headache.  I thought I was having a stroke or something fatal!  Anyway, I've been chronic since the first one in 1987.

With best wishes for your daughter,

Ray

Well, it was a long time ago, but...

Mine also started with a bang.  I got the first one at the age of thirteen.  Summer of 1966.  I was working for a neighboring farmer.  (Kids did things like operate heavy machinery then, and no one thought much about it--but I digress.)  Anyway, I came home after pitching hay bales in the sun all day, and the thing hit me like a truck.  I thought I was dying.  Then it went away as quickly as it came on. 

After that, I had intense, sporadic hits for a year or so--no pattern, no rhyme or reason.  They quickly settled into 6-8 week cycles, invariably twice a year.  I was diagnosed for the first time at the age of 16.

Before that first attack, I'd never had a headache of any kind.  To this day, I've never had a migraine, or any other significant head pain.  Nothing but CH.  If I've had a tension headache (and I suppose that I have) I've never really noticed them.  You all know how the pain threshold thing is with us.   

Hope that it isn't CH--but if it is, how fortunate your daughter is to have you there to help her.   

All the best,

George

Mine started at around 25 yrs old and came on fast... no warning. Thought I was going to DIE!! No build up that
i can remember. Just all of a sudden severe pain. First cycle lasted about 3 weeks.

ClusterChuck wrote on Oct 5^th, 2008 at 12:52pm:


Aint no wimps in clusterville, Chuck....