New to this site. I've been suffering what I believe to be cluster headaches for the past few years. However a few people I have talked to (none of them docters) don't seem to agree. The headaches come in cycles (for the past few years after in spring/early summer), and last from half an hour to 2 hours sometimes, and are the worst pain I have ever felt in my life. They target one side of my head. The only other person I have known to have CH is my father who suffered from them for many years. I figured I would get some opinions from people who have suffered from them.

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The cluster quiz, left buttons, is a quick scan but is not an adequate substitute for seeing a skilled doc. If possible, suggest you consult a headache specialist for many docs, incuding neurologists, are lacking in skill and training in this complex area.

Making it more difficult to Dx, is the fact that there are a number of other disorders which mimic Cluster so even the most straight forward list of Dx criteria won't cover the possibilities.
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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.

Hey welcome to the board. Bob's advice is spot on, a headache specialist neurologist is your best bet at an accurate diagnosis and a decent treatment regimen. For now, if you have not already done so, start a daily journal of your attacks. When they start, how fast they build, how high they build in pain, how long they stay at peak and how fast they go away. try and identify triggers, foods, etc. The final diagnosis will be in the details and a journal is a valuable diagnostic tool.

If you do get the CH diagnosis...and it sounds that way from what you described so far, don't lose this site! Wishing you speed in your diagnostic journey.

Joe