Is this a cluster headache?

March 15, 2008 9:45 AM

Is this a cluster headache?

My gf started getting these awful headaches which she describes as either a pounding or recently as having an extremely sore scalp to the point where brushing hair or putting on glasses causes an extreme amount of pain. It seems like she has this semi-permanent sore spot on her scalp which is part of these strange headaches. The last time this happened she missed a couple of days of work and started going to a chiropracter twice a week which didnt really seem to help too much. She quit the chiropracter recently.

She now has another episode and half her scalp is extremely sensitive to touch and in pain, which may also have a pounding or throbbing element to it. Typical OTC drugs dont seem to have an effect or any of this.

I googled many of these symptoms and Im guessing this is some kind of vascular headache (which runs in the family) or cluster headache, but that doesnt seem to explain the scalp soreness. Nor is she getting any pain behind her eyes. The pain seems focused near the rear of the head on the left side. This has been going on for a week now.

Shes pretty miserable and is going to see a GP on Monday. In the meantime what can we do about this pain? What could be going on? Whats the deal with all the scalp pain?

posted by damn dirty ape to health & fitness (15 comments total)

Huh. Yeah - I suffer from pretty severe cluster headaches and this doesn't sound like anything I've experienced. Usually I have blindness for about a half-hour and then profound pain behind the eyes (one or both). My head is usually sore for a couple days (when I cough or sneeze) but not my scalp - the scalp thing is kind of strange.

The only things that have ever worked for me:
Medical treatments such as
-Oxygen therapy
-Blood-pressure regulating drugs (which most doctors refuse to prescribe for ppl under 25)
The triptan drugs did next to nothing for me but ymmv.

Non-Medical treatments
-The best: give yourself a brain freeze with some ice-cream - I heard that it cools the pain-center in the brain or something - I don't know the specifics but it works like a charm for 30 seconds or so of relief.
-Eat some of your absolute favorite food, whatever it is - I think it releases endorphins and generally improves your mood. (Very helpful if your favorite food is icecream).
-Dark room with cold wet sock over the eyes.

Good luck - nothing worse than head pain - tell her I'm sending her positive vibes.
posted by Baby_Balrog at 9:53 AM on March 15, 2008

After several years of taking daily maintenance meds for headaches (as well as abortive meds for regular [blinding] migraines), I can say that if she is looking for instant relief, she needs to go to her GP with as much information as possible. Can she identify/eliminate any potential triggers? Low blood sugar? Caffeine? Work environment? These (and many more) are things that the GP needs to eliminate before one can be pushed up the ladder. The faster potential culprits can be ruled out, the faster he can more aggressively pursue potential solutions.

The first time I went to a GP for my headaches, I was basically told that there are a billion and one different causes for any specific type of headache, and that we'd need to go down several paths to make sure we were attacking the problem with the correct approach. Only after eliminating most triggers did things move forward, and it was several months later before I began working with a behavioral specialist.

And yeah, tell her to stop going to chiropractors.

Best of luck with your collective headaches.
posted by littlelebowskiurbanachiever at 11:03 AM on March 15, 2008

Have your sinuses checked. Sinus Headaches can mimmick cluster headaches. Good Luck.
posted by rainbaby at 12:16 PM on March 15, 2008

We currently suspect this: Occipital Neuralgia. But yeah, guess we'll have to wait till monday. In the meantime I have her using a warm compress on her neck and back and it seems to help with the symptoms.
posted by damn dirty ape at 12:27 PM on March 15, 2008

A co-worker a couple of years ago had something like this, including the weird sore spot on her scalp. I left the company before she found out what was going on, and I didn't know her well, anyway, but she found that wearing a cap or hat helped some with the sore spot.
posted by dilettante at 12:58 PM on March 15, 2008

Not a cluster, from one who knows first hand. The Doc will sort it out. Best of luck.
posted by mrleec at 2:49 PM on March 15, 2008 [1 favorite]

My girlfriend had bad cluster headaches and migraines... still does from time to time. But they didn't involve epidermal pain like you're describing.

I hate to be such a downer, but I speak from experience with your current problem. There are no answers to headaches. Doctors will begin to prescribe whatever scattershot remedies they think might lessen the pain, frequency or duration of the headaches. But you'll be lucky if they do more good than harm.

Sadly, modern medicine does not know what causes migraines or cluster headaches or most chronic head pain like what your gf is sadly experiencing. Sometimes, until the problem goes away on its own or is cured, the best remedy might be narcotics if she has any and can deal with the dulling of the senses.
posted by willie11 at 3:01 PM on March 15, 2008

My sister and I both get similar scalp-centered headaches. We call them "hair headaches". It's like each hair is tugging on the skin of your scalp, and it's damn unpleasant. Weirdly, bunching my hair into a ponytail and pulling straight up, hard, offers some temporary relief, as does a really firm scalp massage. The headaches come and go, but a spot on top of my head is nearly always a little tender. I've always thought it was from pulling my hair back, since the worst spot is about where I clip it. No solution or name for you, but just wanted her to know she's not the only one.
posted by donnagirl at 3:36 PM on March 15, 2008

Also, if she does get some sort of diagnosis from her doctor, I'd be really grateful if you'd post it back here. I'd love to know if this is an actual thing with a name and a treatment.
posted by donnagirl at 3:37 PM on March 15, 2008

One of the more controversial solutions to cluster headaches (if that is indeed what she is suffering from) is the use of psychedelics. From what I've read, a cluster headache sounds like a warzone in your head, like a migraine pilled upon migraines. IANAD, but this doesn't sound like what you described. My best wishes to your gf I hope her doctor can help.
posted by JimmyJames at 3:44 PM on March 15, 2008

okay, this is totally weird, but she should get her eyes checked. that sounds similar to the kind of headaches i would get with eyestrain. i know, it doesn't make sense. i think the muscle tension just kind of traveled to the back of my head. they went away with my new prescription.

if not that, then maybe she should get the earpieces of her glasses adjusted. sometimes the pressure at that point behind my ear where my glasses sat would cause headaches. (also known as "headband headache" from the headaches girls sometimes get from wearing headbands that are too snug.)
posted by thinkingwoman at 12:44 AM on March 16, 2008

I get these headaches (and migraines so I know they are distinct) and they are related to being a little constipated. In my case that's always caused by eating too much starchy food: granola, rice, instant oatmeal etc. Staying regular is the key to avoiding the headaches. Weird but true.
posted by fshgrl at 11:37 AM on March 16, 2008

Depending upon what part of her scalp, it might also be a form of Bell's Palsy.
posted by tamitang at 7:28 PM on March 16, 2008

Followup:

She was diagnosed with migraines and H.Pylori. She's on treatment for h.pylori now and has a script for some headache medicine. Not sure how accurate this diagnosis is, but that's where we are at right now.
posted by damn dirty ape at 11:29 AM on March 22, 2008

The worst of the scalp pain has gone away on its own after 12 days, but its still somewhat there, but it doesnt hurt to lay her head on a pillow anymore. Restless sleep and head discomfort are still there.
posted by damn dirty ape at 11:30 AM on March 22, 2008