First, 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. (This will add your location, just below your name, every time you post a message.
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Your opening statement restates the experience of far too many of us: docs who have poor training in treating complex headache disorders. Right off the bag, urge you, if at all possible,to find a headache specialisy (NOT a  neurologist).
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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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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.
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Get a good work-up before you start using any treatment. The doc needs a clean slate for he work-up and he needs to exclude some important conditions which mimic Cluster but which are not headache disorders.

While starting to find a doc, etc., read head, buttons left, plus the messages.
And,
These sites which are worth your attention: medical literature, films, plus the expected information
about CH.

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or
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Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or Search under "cluster headache"
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Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or
  Full of articles, blogs, book: written by one of the best headache docs in the Chicago area.
  Worth exploring. The latest book is in e-book edition, $10; comprehensive and worth buying for
  a careful read.

G'day Shell, and if you think alcohol is a trigger then you're welcome to store it at my place until things improve.

This is a free service along with all the help and advice we can offer.

Welcome home.

Hi shell,
Their is one thing you can try if you haven't tried already,
that is Melatonin, you need to take 5-15mg 2hrs before
going to bed, this is known to keep the beast at bay
during the night for lots of us cluster heads, it can take
a couple a weeks to kick in. You can buy them at any
health food store or pharmacy if your in the US, otherwise
you can get them on line from Biovea.

I note your in the UK. You could give Ouch a call
on 01646 651 979, and they could put you in touch
with a headache specialist in your neck of the woods.

Cheers, Hoppy.

With the Melatonin you need to get the regular ones,
not the slow release as they don't work as well when
it comes to CH's. Also, have you tried Imigran 50mg tabs,
you can buy them over the counter at your local pharmacy.
Take one with a hot cup of coffee at the first sign of a CH,
and its known if you take one before going to bed can also
keep the beast at bay, but this counts as part of the
recommended daily dosage.

Hoppy.

Hi Shell,
No, it doesn't need to be coffee, any drink to wash it down
is fine, coffee is just my preferred drop lol.

Hoppy.