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Cluster Headache Help and Support › Getting to Know Ya › Newbies, Help us...help you

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First, do not start taking meds to treat Cluster until you have a solid diagnosis made by a experienced doc. There are a many problems which appear to be Cluster but which are, in fact, quite serious. Hadaches are far more complex than most folks realize.
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There is much experience here and in data in the med literature to make the point: most docs lack good training/experience in treating headache. So,

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. 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.

6. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or NEW certification program for "Headache Medicine" by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties, an independent, non-profit, professional medical organization.
        Since this is a new program, the initial listing is limited and so it should be checked each time you have an interest in locating a headache doctor.
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You are at an age which is a bit late for Cluster to first appear. This makes it the more important to get a good work-up to rule out other possible causes of what APPEARS to be Cluster.

Lastly, with headache, the regular use of pain meds often leads to the increase in attacks. One of the reasons to get on one of the effective meds to abort attacks and other meds which reduce the frequency of attacks. Virtually by definition, any doc who is treating you only with pain meds only is demonstrating his lack of knowledge.

Like Bob has said, let us know your area, it's best to be diagnosed first by a headache specialist. 

Snowmaninmi, if the mi at the end means you're from MI, I can recommend a place for a diagnosis around the Detroit area that doesn't require a referral.