Your message mentions none of the meds used to treat Cluster. The implication of your comments is that this is a "cluster-like" condition, that is, some symptoms of cluster but arising from a different condition, in his situation, from a neurological problem. IF that's the case, then our experience, derived from cluster is not going to be of value or even application to your father.

Sending along a report, not to diagnose, but to give you some idea of what I'm suggesting.
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Title: "Cluster Headache Mimics"--useful article. Post by Bob_Johnson on Jul 30th, 2004, 2:04pm
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This is an important article to obtain and take to your doctor if you are having a difficult time getting a diagnosis of the type of headache problem you have and/or finding medications which give consistent relief for cluster. It is a technically difficult read for someone not educated in medicine. Its value is in providing case studies about uncommon conditions which appear to be cluster headache but which are, in fact, not.

Broad signs which may signal that the problem being treated is a cluster mimic are: having made a diagnosis of cluster, the standard medications do not work OR they work for an episode or two and then stop being effective. Second, if the diagnostic signs differ in important ways from the standard signs for cluster (and this is a subtle issue which requires a physician with sophistication).

One of the striking findings reported: Cluster can arise from head trauma as long as 30-years after the trauma!

Some conditions which can mimic primary cluster headache:

Infections
    Aspergillus
    Inflammatory disorders
    Wegener's granulomatosis
    Orbital myositis
    Plasmacytoma
    Multiple sclerosis
Head trauma
Vascular abnormalities
    Arterial dissections
    Arteriovenous malformations
Neoplasms
    Pituitary tumors
    Metastases
Other trigeminal autonomic cephalgias: SUNCT syndrome; Paroxysmal hemacrania; Hypnic headache

"Cluster Headache Mimics", Dale M. Carter, M.D.. CURRENT PAIN AND HEADACHE REPORTS, 2004, 8:133-139.

My first question would be: How did the four doctors arrive at the diagnosis? Just from his description of the symptoms?

Good, high quality images of the brain/head are needed to rule out other, more dangerous conditions. Has he had an MRI/MRA or other scan performed? Generally, this is required to be sure.

Another option (based on your post) is to have a sleep study done to look for any serious sleep Apea problems. None of this should be scary - just common sense.

I like seeing a person searching for an answer for their parent. Spend some serious time searching this site. You WILL get an education on the subject of Cluster headaches.

Marc

Thanks for the input guys, it was all very informative.

He was prescribed new medicine: Verapamil, prednisone and sumatriptan nasal spray.

Using these new prescriptions he actually got a good night sleep last night.

Yes they did and MRI and various blood work.

Edit: He refuses to drink energy drinks. The neurologist has told him to avoid caffeine at all costs. He doesn't even have his morning coffee anymore.

One last question. My dad has just noticed these headaches so he is not sure when exactly they tend to hit. Will he have to take all this medication every day to get a night of sleep? Or, do you think after he goes through a sleep study and clears up his airways the effects might subside a little?

I'm on the Voltaren ointment, NOT for CH, but for my back.

I did try it on my face, it didn't help, or hurt me. But in my experience, medication can do ALL kinds of weird shit that it ISN'T supposed to do.

Just because a side effect isn't listed, that doesn't mean it can't happen. Also, your father should begin keeping a headache diary.

Check the OUCH website to see a list of doctors in all sorts of parts of the states. It may have one in Florida for you.

PFDAN
Mystina