cluster headache or migraine?

Question

I get headaches almost every day. They usually start around the same time of day and the pain is behind one eye. It is the most excruciating pain that I have ever felt. Nothing seems to help much. Excedrin migraine helps a good deal though. I don't know if this is migraine or cluster? Can anyone help?

Answer 1

Have you seen a headache specialist for these headaches? Don't listen to anyone who tells you you're having sinus headaches. Migraines are a mysterious beast and are so unbelievably painful and I feel for you. The pain behind one eye of course sounds like a migraines regardless of whether or not you have nausea or sensitivity to light. Migraines are commonly misdiagnosed and ONLY a doctor can diagnose migraine, not an Internet forum. We can offer advice based on personal experience, but if you want relief, you should see a doctor. I have suffered from Chronic Daily Headache and Chronic Migraine for years. Translation, I have a headache every day and I get a migraine two or three times a week. I've been through the ringer with treatments and even many devout alternative medicine believers admit that chiropractic, acupuncture, herbal medicines and alternative methods of alternative medicines do not work on migraines. However, they work for some, and if they do for you, congrats:)

If you need help finding a headache specialist in your area,

check out

http://www.achenet.org/physicians/

I went through a few neurologists before I was able to find one who was able to get me off of disability and back on my feet.

One important thing, NSAIDs (over the counter Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) can cause rebound headaches when you take them too often. Try to limit the amount of Excedrin migraine you take. If you take it more than once or twice a week it could be making your headaches worse.

Sorry for the long post, but this is my little soap box issue because my life is consumed by migraines. Best of luck to you, I hope you can find a suitable treatment!

Answer 2

It might be sinus...

I am suffering from the exact same thing right now, but am pregnant, so I can't take anything other than tylenol.

My tried and true migraine remover is ALEVE. I take 2, and am better within an hour IF I take it before the migraine is full-fledged.

Once the migraine gets bad, the aleve still works, but it is possible that I throw up before then.

I would seriously look at eating habits. I have found that chocolate and orange juice can really stimulate migraines, but I have a sinus infection right now, and could pinpoint exactly where my infection was.....it was right where my migraine started.

If it happens the same time every day, I would look at allergies...in your bedroom or in your workplace or outside (TREE pollen is bad right now in most places). You didn't say what time of day it was. Or it could be that you need more humidity.

I would really recommend hourly squirts of saline nasal spray for at least one day. You might find that helps.

Last but not least, i don't know how, but it could be the change of season.

Answer 3

Migraines are what I get. They start with flashing lights in my eyes and then if I don't get to my sumatriptan(imitrex) soon enough my hand and then my arm go numb and then I get the headache and it will last from 4 hours to 24 hours and sometimes they still won't go away.I do not get cluster headaches but I know people who do and they say they go away and come back again and again. Once mine are gone they stay away for a while. I haven't had any recently and I'm very happy. But they have good drugs for them. Let the Doctor know how debilitating they are and he will prescribe some for you.

Answer 4

Migranes usually have other signs and symptoms, like nauseau, light sensitivity, maybe seeing colors before it hits, sensitivity to noise.
The pain of a cluster headache commences quickly, without warning, and reaches a crescendo within 2 to 15 minutes. It is often excruciating in intensity, and is deep, nonfluctuating, and explosive in quality; only occasionally is it pulsatile. In addition, 10 to 20 percent of patients report superimposed paroxysms of stabbing, icepick-like pains in the periorbital region that last for a few seconds and may occur once or several times in rapid succession; this paroxysmal pain usually heralds the end of an attack. The symptoms resolve in 1 to 2 minutes (Ekbom, 1975).

The pain usually begins in, around, or above the eye or the temple (Fig. 6-3); occasionally the face, neck, ear, or hemicranium may be affected (Sutherland and Eadie, 1972). It is always unilateral, and generally affects the same side in subsequent bouts. However, it may shift to the corresponding region of the opposite side in 15 percent of patients (Manzoni et al, 1983b), usually for the duration of a bout, less often switching sides within a bout. Many patients prefer to be upright and active when an attack is in progress, but this is reported with a frequency that is not high enough to be useful diagnostically (Russell, 1981).

Have you considered a chiropractor, they can do wonders for headaches, as can an acupuncturist. Either way you wont need medication.
Good luck with whatever you decide.

Answer 5

Probably not migraine, but
http://www.neurologyreviews.com/feb04/nr_feb04_foramen.html