How is Cluster Headaches diagnosed?

See how Cluster Headaches is diagnosed. Which specialists are essential to meet, what tests are needed and other useful information for the diagnosis of Cluster Headaches

After multiple MRI's, CT scans, MRV's, hospital stays . I sought out a headache specialist and with the first visit he was able to diagnose me. You have to o your own research, keep a diary of exact times, symptoms, recording any possible triggers ect. This all makes the diagnosis process go much smoother.

Posted Feb 21, 2017 by Lucas 1152

MRI to exclude other causes
Diagnosis by specific symptoms

Posted Mar 3, 2017 by Yoda 4292

Initially I looked up Google for severe pain behind the eye. I then discussed it with my GP and was referred to a neurologist.
Only neurologists understand what you are going through. I have had GP's say to me "so you get migraines". They are unaware that a migraine can be classified as a starter motor for a cluster attack.
The most useful information can be found on forums - Cluster Headache, Patients Like Me etc. You get better responses from fellow sufferers that out of the medical journals. If cluster headaches weren't so complex there would be a cure for them and sufferers would have to go to hell and back with every episode.

Posted Mar 4, 2017 by Donna 1005

I diagnosed myself after years when I found a video online of a sufferer with the same reaction to the pain as me. It was then confirmed by a neurologist

Posted Apr 26, 2017 by Scott Wright 401

With great difficulty unfortunately as it's so rare. Took me over 20 years to be diagnosed. A neurologist is normally the person who confirms it.

Posted Apr 27, 2017 by Matthew Bcfc 1000

By the symptoms a neurologist will know if it is Cluster Headaches.

Posted May 21, 2017 by Pepe922 2000

Need to see a neurologist.

Posted Jun 3, 2017 by Maria 2001

Neurologist, signs and symptons

Posted Jun 4, 2017 by Tim 2150

I was diagnosed by my primary care physician back in 1992 . She diagnosed me based on what I told him about the pain I was experiencing and the frequency.

Posted Jun 9, 2017 by Melissa 400

Well guess 1st is symptoms 2nd is not all are the same but carry a majority of actions during a attack 3rd duration of attacks

Posted Jun 11, 2017 by Jeff D 2000

Periodicity, predicability, intensity, frequency, duration of episodes and seasons.

Posted Sep 14, 2017 by João Pedro Graça 500

No tests can confirm diagnosis, but rather symptoms, occurrence, frequency, length, and cycle.

Posted Sep 14, 2017 by Tracie 515

Diagnosis is based on symptoms. In my case they are classic .

Posted Sep 23, 2017 by stan 1000

A neurologist is the correct specialist to diagnose Cluster Headaches. I was misdiagnosed by ENT doctors for 7 years. After a brain MRI is done to rule out tumors and lesions diagnosis is mostly based on symptoms over time, the way the attacks start and finish and where they occur and what medication works to stop the pain.

Posted Oct 26, 2017 by Lee-Alison 2000

Cluster headache is most likely to be accurately diagnosed by a neurologist who is UCNS board-certified in headache medicine. A thorough review of reported symptoms, plus neuroimaging and possible medication trials to rule out other headache disorders.

Posted Jan 29, 2018 by Tammy 1150

Today, medicine is increasingly understanding the disease. On a first visit to a neurologist, it can diagnose that you are suffering from the Cladic Hadic
The most appropriate doctor to treat the disease is an expert on neurological pain rather than a neurologist

Posted Feb 1, 2018 by Danny 3050

Although I was diagnosed very late, I heard from a doctor that it is pretty easy to diagnose it, because this is the only headache that have a "schedule": it starts, ends and repeats in a perfect frequency, like a watch. It also is the only one that wakes you up and keeps you awake and frantic, unlike migraines that make you sleepy and willing to stay quiet in bed.

Posted Aug 29, 2018 by Nandarq 500

My wife watched something about it on t.v.

Posted Oct 20, 2018 by Michael Trapp 1600

Clinic examination (talk with neurologist)

Posted Nov 7, 2018 by Oliver 3000

First you go to a doctor but because it is so rare that even a doctor can miss it so always ask for an referral The best way is By a Neurologist !

Posted Nov 7, 2018 by MC 2500

Neurologist and pathologist

Posted May 16, 2019 by vasilis 2500

I was initially diagnosed with cluster headaches by my ENT when I made an appointment after I had insisted on a sinus infection due to the pain, congestion, swelling eye, and so on. Antibiotics were no relief and imaging of my head and sinuses was clear. I then saw a neurologist who confirmed this diagnosis, and am being treated by my primary care physician who is closer to home than my specialists. Imaging is a must, other clinical signs are observed or described by the sufferer during an attack, such as agitation, pacing, autonomic signs like slowed pupil response on the affected side, congestion, tearing, swelling, and of course improvement of symptoms with the administration of high-flow oxygen is a big indicator!

Posted May 20, 2019 by Kendra 4550

Can only usually be diagnosed by a very experienced neurologist, preferably a headache specialist. There are just a handful of these in the world. Very commonly misdiagnosed.

Posted Aug 22, 2019 by Judy 1600

I went misdiagnosed for many years with "Migraines".
An NPR radio interview during my evening commute provided me my first insight to my true condition. I actually cried when I heard the interviewee describe my exact symptoms, and give it a name. My GP tried to discount my newfound information as being unfounded. A visit to a neurologist confirmed the diagnosis I suspected. Unfortunately, all this did was to have me spend the next several years trying different pharmaceutical remedies with varying successes and side effects.
My current method is simply meditation and movement without the use of pharmaceuticals. I would include the use of cannabinoids if my chosen occupation condoned it.

Posted Apr 13, 2020 by Larry 5050

Cluster headaches are diagnosed by symptoms and sometimes an MRI or CT scan by a neurologist

Posted Jul 27, 2020 by Stėph 3000

Cluster headaches are diagnosed by a Neurologist - they will ask a variety of questions which are symptom related, they may ask you to keep a headache diary, you may even be sent for an MRI or CT scan to rule out other causes of your symptoms.

Posted Jul 27, 2020 by Stephanie 4650

A neurologist I feel is best suited to diagnos. Finding a good neurologist, chiropractor and masseuse have been the best for me. Xrays, MRIs have been used to rule out anything else.

Posted Aug 3, 2021 by Hali 900

I was diagnosed by a Doctor Who told me one of his professors in medical school was a cluster head. The professor spent more time than almost any other subject because he knew of the pain and horrors that accompany it. They made an impression on him, and I was diagnosed and treated. Sadly, he retired shortly after that. He was the first to tell me about occipital nerve blocks, and sumatriptan tradename Imitrex. I do not know of any tests the diagnose cluster headaches other than anecdotal.

Posted May 20, 2022 by [email protected] 2500

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By observation and with the symptoms there's no other way

Posted May 9, 2017 by Nélida 1001

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So. Clinic that is doing the answering. The. Questions. The. Neurologist. My. Symptoms have been and continue to be the same I am 12 years old. Pain very. Strong. Agitation , is not. I can't sleep. Because I. Despair and. When you close. The. Eyes I have. That. Open them immediately as to the. 8. Seconds of having them closed, always on the same side of the head and eye. Red and itching of the eye , panic, and sometimes tears on the same side of the pain always on the right side and. 3. At 5 hours of greater pain, and. 12. Hours with. The pain. , I do not calm the pain killers only dipyrone injection but after the injection I. Are shadows of pain , I can't concentrate or talk a lot a bad mood disabling completely

Posted Sep 17, 2017 by alex 900