Hello everybody, first off, I want to say that I do not suffer from CHs. I feel blessed, reading what people go through is terrible. This site has really made me feel great that I have had a healthy life, with the worst thing ever happening to me being a hernia. With that said, and my anxiety being through the roof, I have been having problems lately and I am hoping that this isn't a sign of me developing CH.

I have always had this tic of blinking/squinting my left eye, usually when I'm driving. Probably a mild form of tourettes, nothing major. It does get excessive though, but I can't do much about it.

2 nights ago on my way home from work, I got home and noticed that my left eye was burning, on it and behind it. It didn't really hurt but it was noticeable. No tears, droopiness, or redness. After that subsided, my mind won't let me stop paying attention to every detail of feelings on my left eye. It feels like a slight amount of pressure that comes and goes. Hits me more at night or when I watch TV. I woke up around 4AM last night just paranoid that it was going to get worse. No pain, just slight pressure that comes and goes. I just can't get my mind off of the left side of my head.

I noticed today that my left eye looks a tiny bit more swollen, but again no redness or tears. I would say my face is sweating, but it's been humid these last 2 days, so sweating is normal for me.

I guess my question is.... is this a sign at all of CHs? I know this sounds pathetic, especially with what you guys here deal with, but I don't like to rule anything out. Did anybody have these problems before they had CH attacks?

I hope I haven't offended anyone, but any answer is appreciated.

Thank you all

I was also getting toothaches a couple days before. That's another time when my eye, or the area behind it,  started to ache as well.

Your answer is reassuring though

There is no way that any of us can give a diagnosis for something like this. You need to see a medical doctor in person, explain what the symptoms are and let them do the diagnosis.

Hope it is something you can get sorted out quickly.

Best wishes

Your symptoms are vague at this point. There is a $ risk in doctor shopping at this stage for you may end up spending big bucks trying to get a Dx--a risk/judment call for you.

BUT, both our experience and formatl studies show that neurologists are poorly educated/trained re. complex headache disorders. IF you wish to seek diagnosis, start searching for a headache specialist, if at all possible.
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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.

Hi Gerry,
Check out the cluster quiz, the link is to your left of this page.It will help answer some of your .

Cheers, Hoppy.