General neurologists receive strikingly little training treating complex headache disorders. If you have the option, find a headache specialist.
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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.
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One of the major diagnostic problems is that there are a number of disorders which mimic Cluster but which are not primary headche disorders. It's requires some skill and experience to do a through diagnostic work-up.

Take the cluster quiz.......the  tabs on the left..... and bring the results to your neuro. If you're not already keeping a headache journal, start one. Where the pain is what type of pain, stabbing, boring, pounding etc. What meds do and don't help, any physical symptoms you observe with your eyes or sinuses. The diagnosis will be in the details. As Bob mentioned, garden variety neuros are notorious for not having a good knowledge base on headache disorders. If there is ANY WAY you can get to a headache specialist neurologist, it's your best chance at an accurate diagnosis and an effective treatment regimen. Hoping you get a swift diagnosis and some relief soon.

Joe

I'm episodic and one year I had a cycle like that. It was the middle of the summer and it was very wet. It had rained a lot and my cycle started out with a dull headache. The sensation levels would fluctuate, but never did it get painful. That lasted for about a week and at the end I had three major headaches, then nothing for another year. I wish it were that way all the time!