I am not sure I have cluster headaches, but I dont think my doctor believes anything I tell him.  I do not have the severe pain that I read about here.  But all other things are the same.  Always on left side of my head and it feels like a sinus headache that is just attacking one side.  My eye on that side feels very "sleepy" and I want to close it.  but that just makes things worse.  My temple hurts like someone hit me with a baseball bat and my head just feels like someone filled it with expanding lead on that side.  I am not awakened by these headaches, but if I get one I cannot sleep.  Mine come on and last days at a time then just disappear like I never had one at all and are gone for weeks then come back.  There is no drug on the planet that I have tried yet that helps at all.

You guys deal with this every day.  Should I switch doctors to someone that will listen and help me explore this better or should I just try to find the right diagnosis for me becuase this is not clusters.

Try the Cluster Quiz  tab on the left.

Then, yes do go see a neurologist for a diagnosis.

Let us know how that goes and then ask all the questions that you want. There are many here who are happy to help you as much as they can.

All the best

LOCATING HEADACHE SPECIALIST

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.