Cluster?

[Kelsey91]

Every once in a while I get a severe pain that localizes on one side of my face at a time. It effects my temple region, around and behind my eye, and into my upper jaw and makes my teeth ache. I find no relief from off the shelf pain relievers or from sitting in a dark room. One time it kept me awake 5 hours straight(12am-5am approx) before I actually fell asleep from exhaustion. The pain was extremely painful and hard to cope. I was wondering if this is a cluster headache and if so, is there any way to relieve the pain? I also had a minor one last night and when I woke up this morning, for some reason, both my eyes hurt a lot. Not like the normal "arg it's bright" pain. More like getting soap in the eye type of pain, just without the irritation to cause tearing. I also couldn't see completely straight as if I was almost intoxicated, yet I haven't touched alcohol for a month or two. It was like my eyes were crossed and I was having difficulties un-crossing them. Could this be associated any way with my headaches? Thanks!

[zygy]

I have been having similar head pain, I have been wondering if it might be cluster headaches too!  Does this always happen at night?  Mine seem to occur at night, midnight almost like an alarm clock!  It will happen for a few nights and then go away for a month or two and then it will start up again!  I found that Excederine can help even though it is not much help for trying to sleep but at least it lessens the amount of pain.  Awake without pain is better than awake with pain!  I also had a neurologist give me Naproxen and  Vistaril to try, sometimes this seems to help and sometimes it does not.  I tend to get the tears in my eyes, and Migraine meds do not help at all.  It sort of feels like a migraine but it does not help to lay down in a dark room, I think walking around and getting up actually helps.  These are very frustrating headaches!  Good luck figuring this out!

[Dr. A. Srivastava]

Thank you for your question. This may be Trigeminal neuralgia as you have typical one sided facial pain extending to temple and eye( ophthalmic branch of trigeminal nerve may be involved) and sore gums of the teeth of same side (maxillary branch of 5th nerve). Trigeminal neuralgia may have a triggering factor like recent history of tooth extraction, touch, cold breeze or hot sensation etc. which you need to evaluate and avoid. Drug of choice for trigeminal neuralgia is carbamazepine but as the dose may vary according to severity therefore I would advice an oral medicine specialist consultation or at least a physician to confirm this diagnosis and get you treated accordingly. Take care.