Hi, I am new to CH.com. I was in a really bad car accident on March 30, 1994 (a date I will never forget). I got my first CH at the scene of the accident, and they continued for the next 15 years. I had been symptom free for the last five years, only to have them return starting about a month ago. I haven't had a really bad one yet, but as we all know, a mild cluster is worse then any pain most non-sufferers can imagine. I have found that by taking 1mg of Xanax has helped my pain more than anything I had tried during my 15 years of torture. Also, taking one Ambien has helped me to sleep it off. If anyone has tried this combo, I would really like to hear from you, as I am sure the bad clusters are coming and I am scared to death. With love and sympathy, Stormy602

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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The relationship between head injuries/accidents is rather cloudy. Such accidents used to be regarded as a potential source of Cluster but that relationship  has been seriouslly questioned, especially with a long interval between acceint and onset of the headaches.

That you get relief from the meds you mention suggests you don't have Cluster.

There is no valid answer for you until you get a good diagnosis. If at all possible, find a headache specialist rather than a neurologist (who, as a group have poor education/training in headache).
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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.