WOW! Sudden onset pain like that requires a fast visit to the doc. A couple of warnings! If it's at all possible, try and get a referral to a neurologist, preferably a headache specialist neurologist. The head is a complex entity. Docs get about 4 hours total training in doctor school on headaches, your garden variety neuro doesn't get much more.

Being a woman, as soon as you say headache, a doc will say you have migrains, lose 10 pounds, stop smoking and reduce your stress!!

There are hundreds of headache types, it really requires the work of a specialist to determine what you suffer from, and the most effective way to treat it. I don't envy you tackling this kind of problem with 3 little ones to chase around. If the diagnosis comes back as Cluster headache, this will be your new second home. Good luck and wishng you some pain free time soon.

Joe

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                       CLUSTER HEADACHE HELP AND SUPPORT › GETTING TO KNOW YA › NEWBIES, HELP US...HELP YOU
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IF you live in an area where you have choice, start with a specialist.

LOCATING HEADACHE SPECIALIST

1. 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.

2.  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.

3. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or ; On-line screen to find a physician.

4. 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.

5. 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.

Good call. I didn't mean to alarm you as the odds are it's one of the many annoying headache types that are treatable and no big deal. But for the VERY small chance it could be something more serious, it's definitely worth checking out. Let us know what you find out, we'll direct you and help you any way we can.

Joe