How is Cluster Headaches diagnosed?

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.

2/21/17 by Lucas 1152

MRI to exclude other causes Diagnosis by specific symptoms

3/3/17 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.

3/4/17 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

4/26/17 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.

4/27/17 by Matthew Bcfc 1000

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

5/21/17 by Pepe922 2000

Need to see a neurologist.

6/3/17 by Maria 2001

Neurologist, signs and symptons

6/4/17 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.

6/9/17 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

6/11/17 by Jeff D 2000

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

9/14/17 by João Pedro Graça 500

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

9/14/17 by Tracie 515

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

9/23/17 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.

10/26/17 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.

1/29/18 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

2/1/18 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.

8/29/18 by Nandarq 500

My wife watched something about it on t.v.

10/20/18 by Michael Trapp 1600

Clinic examination (talk with neurologist)

11/7/18 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 !

11/7/18 by MC 2500

Neurologist and pathologist

5/16/19 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!

5/20/19 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.

8/22/19 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.

4/13/20 by Larry 5050

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

7/27/20 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.

7/27/20 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.

8/3/21 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.

5/20/22 by randalnowack@aol.com 2500

Translated from spanish Improve translation

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

5/9/17 by Nélida. Translated

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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

9/17/17 by alex. Translated