a minute may not be an exact frame of time but its not more than a few minutes 10 at the most... and not all of the pain goes away but the severest part of the pain... the excrutiating I cant think enough to even know name at that moment....

I am limited in experts of any kind in my area but have researched pretty well and it may not be "cluster headaches" but is definitely a TAC....

the diagnosis was based on the facial swelling, the pattern and characteristics of my headaches over the last 10 years... they are always on the left side... face swelling on that side, and the sharp piercing pain... All scans/test ruled out any causes (tumours, aneurysm, etc.)

Quiz results... 1-8 no... except 6... I say no to #1 because not all of the pain is gone just the nail in my head...

9-13 yes... 14-15 no... seems to have a lingering dull ache between bouts....16 sometimes

Of course Im going to try really hard to keep a headach journal this year to help with diagnosis and treatment

Since you will be with us for some time----
It will help us to direct you to good sources of assistance if you will tell us where you live (city & state, if U.S. or country). At the Home page: Help button-->Edit & Profile --> Location.
================
Let's assume you have Cluster--for the time being. Translates into a condition which cannot be cured but which can be effectively controlled for most folks. Second isssue, is that most doc have meager training skill in treating Cluster. So, would suggest you use this guides to search for a headache 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.
======
IF you are using Imitrex as your only treatment, that proves the case--a doc who is not guiding you into the full range of meds which are needed for good control.

Basic treatment for Cluster is: a steriod to rapidly stop a string of Clusters; at the same time, starting a long acting preventive med; and then an abortive (Imitrex) which kills attacks which sneak through.

Beyond finding a good doc and getting a firm, clear diagnosis (important since a high % of Dx are wrong), you can start learning about this interesting disorder.

Print the PDF file, below, both for your learning and to use as a discussion tool when talking with any doc about treatment.

As you have time, explore this site for basic learning:
Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or . Two books, one free, available as an e-book; second aimed at professionals. Section of many journal articles. Site worth exploring. Robbins is one of the leading headache docs in the Chicago area.

Finally, you will receive suggestions for varous treatments for Cluster. But until you know that it's Cluster you are dealing with, urge you to not get into self-diagnosis and self-treatment. This route can create problems for the headache doc (we hope!) you will be consulting.

I am from Central Arkansas... and I am glad that I have found ya'll but forgive me if I hope a few of you are right and they are NOT cluster headaches lol...

I started the new year paying more attention to details surrounding my headaches. So I have some good data so far. I did go the last two weeks without them and then slammed with a severe one yesterday... since I am not currently being treated, I took the imitrex I have left for the headache, flexoril cause the imitrex tightens my shoulders up and another medicine to help me sleep through it...

I look forward to getting to know some of you, learning information and if nothing else offering some friendly support to any that need it

Hi Bella,
Does this sound famillar.

Short-lasting Unilateral Neuralgiform headache with Conjunctival injection and Tearing, or SUNCT, is a rare type of primary headache that belongs to the group of headaches called trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia (TACs). TACs are caused by activation of the autonomic nervous system of the trigeminal nerve in the face. Patients experience excruciating burning, stabbing, or electrical, headache mainly in the orbital area only on one side of the body along with cranial autonomic signs that are unique to SUNCT. Each attack can last from five seconds to six minutes and may occur up to 200 times daily. Onset of the symptoms usually come later in life, at an average age of about 50. Although the majority of patients are males above age 50, it is not uncommon to find SUNCT present among other age groups, including children and infants. Have you tried the drug known as Methylprednisolone?

Hoppy.

Hi Bella,
Those constant headaches that you are suffering, could be
rebound headaches, caused by Imitrex you have been on.
Maybe check in with your doctor and talk with him/her about
Methylprednisolone. Brand name Medrol and Solu-Medrol in
the US. And then see how you go.

Hoppy.

The minute(s) long attacks and that Imitrex doesn't give relief are two good indicators that you don't have Cluster.

Suggest that, if at all possble, you find a headache specialist. Nothing beats a good diagnosis before you start playing around with a variety of treatments.
====
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.
=====

IF a headache spec. not available, call a general neurologists office and question close is expedience & training in complex headache disorders. It's striking how little training neuros get in headache while in school/training so don't go by the name alone.

That was interesting info... Thanks for sharing Sunct seems to fit better but will definitely add this to list of things to show doc

AussieBrian wrote on Jan 21^st, 2014 at 2:00am: