I'm not even sure that I am having clusters although one doctor told me I am, however after lots of research, I'm not positive.  I don't see the neuro until July, so I have a long wait.  I've ended up in the ER a few times over horrible pain in my head, the worst I've ever had.  It happens in the back of my head, at the top left side and feels like an electrical shock.  I had gotten one or two before August, 2013 and then I got appox. 40 or 50 all at once.  They said it was a bad headache and sent me home with pain killer.  The next time it happened I had twenty and this ER doctor said it was definitely clusters (both doctors did cat scans) and he treated me with oxygen and ativan.  My doctor ordered an MRI with contrast and they discovered small vessel ischemic disease caused by diabetes (my doctor says this is not the problem) and I did not have a brain tumor.  I am still having those zaps of electricity in the back which often leads to a "gentle" headache.  My doctor prescribed Fioricet and another anti-anxiety med and is trying to get me into the neuro sooner.  When we got the news of the MRI, she prescribed me Imitrex (I only get 12 a month) and used the first tonight when I got that electricity zap in my left eye.  The pain was unreal.  I got two zaps in full and it was over.  My eye watered and my nose ran and that was that.  The rest of my health is mixed, my blood work is great, I am a cancer survivor, chemo wrecked my pancreas so I am an insulin dependent diabetic. 

I take 200 mg of Topamax for migraine and haven't had one since I started it.  I also take 120 mg of Verapamil twice a day for blood pressure but I know it is great for clusters.

I would really welcome your input and opinions.

Hello Heidi, and welcome! I think I understand what you're describing...that electrical jolt. I am a chronic CHer and have been for decades. The pain I feel from CHs is excruciating. However, from time to time, I also get a variety of "electrical" impulses that add spice and variation to my usual CH routine. I have no idea if they are related, the same, stem from the same cause, or whatever. I only know they hurt. The good news is they tend to be very short lived. Almost like a one and done as you describe. Try calling the neuro weekly to see if there is a cancellation. You need a good headache specialist. blessings. lance

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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WHY A HEADACHE SPECIALIST IS RECOMMENDED


Headache. 2012 Jan;52(1):99-113.
Cluster headache in the United States of America: demographics, clinical characteristics, triggers, suicidality, and personal burden.
Rozen TD, Fishman RS.

THERE REMAINS A SIGNIFICANT DIAGNOSTIC DELAY FOR CLUSTER HEADACHE PATIENTS ON AVERAGE 5+ YEARS WITH ONLY 21% RECEIVING A CORRECT DIAGNOSIS AT TIME OF INITIAL PRESENTATION.