You need to see a headache specialist.

         Potter

Jordyn wrote on Aug 14^th, 2011 at 3:53pm:

Nope not the same.

         Potter

First, headaches is a more complex group of disorders than is generally appreciated and, secondly, we have studies which show just how little training/experience most neurologists have in this area. These pages are full of stories who have wandered about for years trying to find a doc who could treatment them effectively: Why we push for a specialist, if at all possible.

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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Hope you will stay with us and ask questions, give some reports on how it's moving re. finding a doc.

See the PDF file, below. These are the major meds used to treat Cluster. You can print out this article and use to discuss options with any doc you see and, if you don't see some combination of these meds coming at you, begin to ask whether you have the right doc or not.

Yeah Jordyn, your garden variety GP gets about 4 hours of TOTAL schooling in headache disorders....and there are hundreds of them. Your garden variety neuro doesn't get much more then that. That's why we push so hard to get a referral to headache specialist neuros......hopefully with one that has some experience with CH. Not a guarantee you'll get one that knows how to treat CH.....and we still strongly suggest you educate yourself and learn to be an advocate for yourself. We'll help you all we can.

Joe