Hey all, new here. I have self diagnosed after going to two doctors, the ER, and the dentist. I've got the classic signs - location of pain, drooping eye, runny left nostril, teary left eye, raised vessels in the left eye, cyclical nature etc etc. I'm not worried about tumor/aneurysm because they scanned the s*** out of me when I lost the ability to focus my right eye a few months ago (collagen defect related).

I'm starting to get the drooping eye with minimal tears and stuffiness (not runny) and very little pain. Does that mean the episode is about over?

I've probably been a little less pushy than most would have been because I have a genetic collagen defect that already causes a lot of pain - this was just a new pain in a different area for me. Not to say it didn't hurt, it hurts like hell and I feel for everyone who has gone through this.

I went to the ER once and they prescribed fiorecet (which did jack. This after I went to my GP who thought sinus and prescribed hyrdocodone (which did jack). I went to the dentist hoping I didn't have a tooth problem. I didn't, thank god because I can't afford dental work. Then I gave up and waited it out. The previous two days I had some pretty intense pain, 8/10 for me (sternum rubs, nail quick pricks, and needle pricks are a 0/10 for reference on my scale, so this would probably be excruciating for most people).

So, is it about over? I've never had one before. I'm pretty low income, and I don't want to spend a ton of money chasing down every dead end. Should I just talk about this with my regular doctor or do I need to talk to a headache specialist (I already have a neurologist for epilepsy whom I will be seeing in February).

Does anyone know the odds of having another episode?

Hang in there everyone!

You do have some signs of cluster headaches but we cannot diagnose you. It can't hurt to ask your doctor if he/she has ever treated a cluster sufferer. And yes, ask your neurologist the same question and/or does he/she knows a neurologist with training in headaches.
On the left side of your screen is a button "cluster quiz". Give it a try and let us know the results.
Welcome to the board.

Oh, definitely not looking for a diagnosis! I was just wondering if that was a typical ending for a cluster - you still have the dripping and drooping but less pain.

Edit: The answer to everything from 1-8 was no, 9-15 was yes, 16 was no. When I am in severe pain I try my best to center myself, relax my jaw and focus on my breathing and the mantra "this too shall pass". My last dislocation (elbow) the paramedics didn't believe it was out because I wasn't screaming enough apparently. I unfortunately have a lot of practice dealing with severe pain.

Kevin, read up on this 123 Days PF it"s in the medication section before I read this I was taking everything the doctors would give me.

Mark.

Thanks for all the responses guys!

Do you guys typically go out during your clusters? I wouldn't think of driving till it ended or was managed, but I've been avoiding going out because I didn't want to draw attention to myself.

Hi Keyvin and welcome

Whilst it sounds like your symptoms are consistent with those for cluster headaches, you really do need a diagnosis from someone with the appropriate skills and experience to do the diagnosis.

Just a few days ago a partner of someone who was diagnosed with CH twice posted (Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or ) and it turned out to be something else.

The hard part of the diagnosis is ruling out any other possible cause.

Hi, and welcome.
As all the others have said, a correct diagnosis is vital as there are other conditions which mimic CH, but they all respond to different meds. It does sound like CH though.

As far as going out is concerned it shouldn't be a problem once you have the right meds.  I have sumatriptan auto injections, and never leave home without them.  If I feel a CH coming on I take a quick trip to the nearest ladies room, use the injection, and it's all over in less than 10 minutes.

If it is CH, the odds of having another episode - 99% - sorry.
Once you've got CH you tend to have it for life, which is why it's so important to manage it correctly.