WOW! 

My strictly layman opinion is it sounds like you may be one of the unfortunate souls who suffers from both migrains and cluster headaches.

Have you ever been given imnitrex stat dose pens for your migrains? These are also very effective on cluster headaches if you get them before the pain gets really intense.

You need to make sure the neuro you get referred to is a "Headache Specialist Neurologist." Most neurologists aren't that well versed in CH, and with a potential dual diagnosis, the expertise of a headache specialist is critical, both for an accurate diagnosis, and an effective treatment regimen.

For now, when you feel the CH "type" attack coming on, try drinking an energy drink as fast as you can, Rock Star, Red Bull, any containing the combo of caffiene and taurine, many can abort or reduce the intensity of a CH attack this way. Ice packs on the back of the neck on the attack side also help some.

If you're not already keeping a headache diary, start one. Keep detailed notes on all headaches, when they start, how fast the pain builds, how high it builds, how long it stays at peak, how fast it goes away. The more details the better. I find I can never remember critical details for the doc if I haven't recorded them. Your final diagnosis will be in the details and a diary really helps.

Go to the medications section on this board and read through the post "123 pain free days and I think I know why." It's a daily vitamin mineral supplement routine that's been providing relief for a lot of us. All OTC stuff, might help a little until you can get to a neuro.

If it does turn out to be CH, do not lose this website, you will not find a more comprehensive data base on CH anywhere. Wishing you some speed on your diagnostic journey, and some pain free time soon.

Joe

Unless I missed it, you haven't identified who "they" are who prescribed the prednisone and the percocet. Nor am I clear if you are diagnosed with CHs. I mention this because the treatment for other headaches can often overlap, but just as often misapply, to CHs. A lot of what you describe does seem typical to CHs, but your case is a bit complicated. Please, if you are not seeing an informed and specialized neuro, who understands CHs, do get in touch with one and make an appointment. Blessings. lance

Joe, thank you so much for the "123 pain free and i think i know why" thread... given that my migraine has kept me out of sunshine for 2 months, the d3 makes sense to me and the fact that i have been eating canned tuna and seaweed like nobody's business with lemon, lime, lemon also makes sense... i am taking these tips and hope i have the same results as others and batch... going to get d3 and fish oil and red bull now... before 2 comes...  thank you thank you thank you... crossing my fingers, toes ... thanks for the hope! - cely

"when really all I was trying to hide was the uncontrollable pain I was feeling and not making a fool of myself in public"

wow, story of my life! i also get migraines and clusters, though not at the length you've described. i can't even fathom 3 months of migraines. unimaginable. all of your "cluster" symptoms sound familiar. but if i were you i would be a thorn in my doctor's side, especially considering your history of head trauma. i hope you get answers soon!

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but it must be said anyway. Please pay attention to Bob's post above. A lot of what you have written concerning your symptoms do not correlate to CHs. Additionally, while I am not a neuro, I do know the way you describe the pain you feel may actually have a neurological condition attached with it...that pole in the mouth feeling. I know I had a combination of trigeminal neuralgia coupled with CHs, and by far the worst pain was the neuralgia, if you can imagine that as I suspect you can. Treatment for it was separate from the CHs. As Bob wrote, we will go to enormous ends to find a cessation to the pain, but in your case, you do not need the input of general practitioners any more. You need real specialist help. Good luck, and prayers are coming your way. Blessings. lance

MANY thanks Bob! I really appreciate the facts and you considering all the (extensive- sorry!) info I gave. You are right. I do appreciate the previous feedback though, as in that moment, I really did need to hear that this sounded familiar... that I was not going to die from the pain. The best advice I think I received pre-yours was keeping a detailed diary of the pain level, etc. and the meds I took (as opposed to just food/weather w migraines). It has really helped me figure some things out. Like:
a) That taking meds (800 mg ibu still my preferred, but gabapentin and topamax help too) after these attacks was keeping my migraine from being retriggered.
b) The pain seems to be less on an empty stomach. Or the water just helps quicker. Time/journal entries will tell.
c) Keeping my thinking straight, recording FACTS has been a big challenge and yet the biggest key to getting through the harder moments when I feel exhausted from the pain.

Follow Up:

1. I got blood work done today for a "complete panel" to rule things out in the interim of my neurologist appt. (got the call... scheduled for MARCH...long wait!)

2. Will review the links you sent for specialists and hope that I can find something in my area that I can afford, etc. (as mentioned earlier, I'm in a financial lull and am relying on city medical services - which I am grateful for, but as expected, it comes with its limitations).

3. My migraine has definitely broke. I am pretty confident that it was the prednisone that broke it (30 day tapering course). Saw doc again yesterday. She was amazed at my migraine progress - my ability to speak, the color in my face, no more sunglasses, etc. I actually saw sunshine (in dec!) today for the first time in 2 months!!!!!! It was beautiful!

Also, I described the other attacks, and she said that it was "text book" cluster headache. My mother came to witness my pain and was able to notice things that I hadn't. Like the fact that the attacks come at exactly 1:30pm, 9:30pm, and 4am), that my eye droops (does not swell as I had felt it to), and that my nose only bleeds when I blow it too hard. I drink about 2 gallons of water during the attacks and for some reason this helps. Crawling at the peak of the pain also helps. It all begins with my heart feeling like its going to pound out of my chest and within minutes I am rocking back and forth with my hand pressed over my eyebrow, the stabbing knife becomes and exploding metal pole, etc. About half hour to one hour later, the worst is over and I am better but exhausted with a lingering knife or ice pick pain. Feelings you all probably know all too well.

4. Doc told me to take Gabapentin 3 times a day and topamax 2x a day for my clusters and to prevent the migraines from retriggering. She also prescribed me lidocaine as an abortive but the pharmacist said they don't make it anymore and refused to give me the prescription back. Is that okay to do? I felt like I had done something wrong. I cried to think that I would have no relief tonight (I was hopeful something would help) but I have noticed that the peak is lasting less every night so maybe this means its on its way out?

5. Now, that the migraine is gone, I do feel like I can get through this. At least I have relief in between but boy do I fear 9:30 pm. It's the worst one. Oh no, its 8 now... trying not to look at the time... my stomach starts to swirl w nerves at what awaits me... you call it the beast, but it feels like a demon to me...

6. I mentioned O2 to my doc and she said that she wanted to send me to the neuro before going down that route. Didn't understand why. She is urging them to move that appt further ahead as she thinks getting my head examined and bloodwork back b/c of the trauma is crucial before experimenting with too many medications. Is O2 dangerous?

7. This forum is my new best friend, as I will be seeing what you all do to cope with this incredible pain and hope that I find something that works for me. Definitely feeling empowered knowing that the CH was triggering my migraines and that I don't have to live with both all the time... that was hell in my head.

8. Many thanks again for the responses and resources, blessings and pain-free, healthy days to all.... Again, always Grateful for the support... it translates to strength somehow.