I'v never posted much here but I have read and learned alot from everyone!   I Kept changing Doctors, Kept searching and never gave up thanks to the  encouragement of the folks on this website.   Had MIR's and SpecT scans done recently found some major cervical issues such as: loss of lordotic Curvature, three disc protrusions, Facet arthropathy, and two cysts.  What a mess all that from a whiplash injury 2 1/2 yrs ago and the pain behind my eye was always treated seprate from my neck issues UNTIL NOW!!!   Just started with a new Pain Managment Center Three weeks ago for my neck and thier first order of business was one 10 mg  of flexeril (a muscle relaxer) every night before bed and what do you know the headaches that we thought were cluster....all this time, all the meds, all the ER visit......well they are almost gone. 
This is what they are looking at and treating for, no absolute confirmations  but so far things are working, I have not used imitrex in three weeks (before couldn't get past three days)  they call it
Occipital Neuralgia:
CLINICAL FEATURES
Occipital neuralgia symptoms include aching,
burning, and throbbing pain that is often unilateral and
continuous with intermittent, shocking, shooting pain.
The pain usually originates in the suboccipital area and
radiates to the posterior and/or lateral scalp. Occasionally,
patients report pain behind the eye on the affected side.
Pain may also be perceived over the neck, temple, and
frontal regions.5 Pressure over the occipital nerves may
amplify the pain, but there is usually no clear trigger.
Furthermore, some patients may have a positive Tinel’s
sign over the occipital nerve. Occasionally, neck movements
(eg, extension and rotation) may trigger pain. At
times, patients with occipital neuralgia may experience
symptoms similar to migraine or even autonomic changes
characteristic of cluster headaches. Associated symptoms
include posterior scalp paresthesias, photophobia, and
dizziness. Many patients with occipital neuralgia report a
cycle of pain-spasm-pain.

ETIOLOGY
Patients with occipital neuralgia may be divided into those with structural causes and those
with idiopathic causes. Structural causes include:
• trauma to the greater and/or lesser occipital nerves
• compression of the greater and/or lesser occipital nerves or C2 and/or C3 nerve roots by
degenerative cervical spine changes
• cervical disc disease
• tumors affecting the C2 and C3 nerve roots.
The greater occipital nerve receives sensory fibers from the C2 nerve root and the lesser
occipital nerve receives fibers from the C2 and C3 nerve roots. The third occipital nerve (least
occipital nerve) stems from the medial sensory branch of the posterior division of the C3 nerve
root and travels along the greater occipital nerve. It passes
through the trapezius and splenius capitus slightly medial
to the greater occipital nerve. Clinically, the third occipital
nerve may also be involved in causing occipital neuralgia.
Cervical spine changes include spondylosis, arthritis
of the upper cervical facet joints, and thickening of the
ligaments in that area (particularly C1-4 levels).2 Some
cases of presumed occipital neuralgia may in fact be C2 or
C3 radiculopathies. Compression of the greater occipital
nerve is possible as it travels up the neck, passing through
the semispinalis and trapezius muscles. Whiplash or
hyperextension injury may lead to this scenario.3 Other
possible causes include localized infections or inflammation,
gout, diabetes, and blood vessel inflammation.4
Although it cannot be quantified, most patients fall in the
category of “unknown cause,” when no identifiable lesion
is found.

If you are reading this do the research see if you fall into this catagory, if you have had neck trauma or you u suspect degeneration that could be pressing on nerves, it may be worth looking into.  I have a long way to go with treatment plans and things are very uncertian for me and my neck.  We are all in the same boat pain is pain no matter what or where the cause.  Thank you all for being there during the times I wanted to cut my head off or run infront of truck.  I hope answers to clusters are found someday and most of all many PFD's to everyone.
God Bless
T

That is wonderful news!  Not that you are in pain, but that you have an answer other than CH.  Hope you are able to deal with it and get it taken care of now.

Wishing you a PF life!
Jerry

Charlotte wrote on Jul 28^th, 2009 at 10:56pm:


Ya never know who you'll end up being buds for life with     Stick around - no reason to leave Dyna.   Sometimes people can be rather nice to be around here