Is it possible to develop a new kind of headache after a cluster cycle? It feels like I'm done with my cluster cycle. Mine started last May. Haven't had a real hit since June. However, I've had tension headaches daily that sometimes last the whole day every day since then. They are mostly located at the back and the sides of the head. Currently taking 75 mg of Topamax for them.

I'm lucky, I either get cluster headaches, hangover headaches, or no headaches! If you were still on cycle, my guess would be lingering shadows. Did a doctor put you on the topomax for this new,  secondary headache? I ask because anytime a "new" symptom like this presents itself, I'd encourage you to work with a doctor to identify what's going on.

Wishing you some pain free time soon.

Joe

I'm chronic, but when the CH break through really bad every now and then it often results in very painful virtually 24/7 tension headaches that I've always assumed were just a result of going through the trauma of all of those CHs.

What works for me is a combination of trigger point injections from a pain specialist, massage (if possible), and even a TENS unit (also from the pain specialist).  If nothing else works it may be worth a try for you.  The TENS is tricky based upon your hairline it may be tough to get it connected stuck on where it really should be stuck on..

JustNotRight wrote on Oct 14^th, 2011 at 4:17pm:


The problem is when you get them pretty often and you're taking pain killers for them, then end up with rebounds too.

I was about to ask the same question. I had shadow headaches for two days after the last ch but all of a sudden today I've had tension headaches I suppose but what seems strange I'm having them at the times I would of had my ch. Is this normal or could it be anxiety effect/mind game causing them? They aren't ch because they move around my whole head but do mimic it seems the symptoms of the ch like eye pain, nose pressure etc but to a much lesser extent.

I've always had a mix of CH and tension HA's. I seen a physio therapist who had these heating pads that would melt my tensions away in no time. They were in 3 pieces and they had their own boiler type heater (expensive), but she would wrap them in towels, and wrap my entire head and shoulders with them and leave me alone for 10-15 mins.
I've always dreamed of getting my own super heating pads, but for me the normal ones work also. I use 1 or 2 and focus on the back of my neck area. The more heat the better, and its the ONLY thing that works for me. Yet I haven't tried drugs, other then pain killers. I'd expect Valium or a muscle relaxer would work, but mine are too often to use that kind of med. Plus, who really wants to?
Try to see a physio therapist as she seemed to really know about them, yet nothing about CH.