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Nick sorry your here. If you scroll to the top of the page tap the blue banner and read away. All is not lost. If you truly do have clusters you have found the right place.

Hi NIck!! I suspect that many of us can recall exactly when we were first hit. None of the stories are happy. First step is to find your triggers. Booze is #1. Strike that off everything. Period. Get scans done. You have that in motion. If you have CH? They will tell you that your scan was 'perfect' or 'clear'. You are eliminating other bad stuff that is treatable, not getting 'we see'. You have no reason to think about chronic or episodic currently. You may not have CH or you may be starting out at a low level episodic. Currently, get the tests done. avoid booze, then access your situation.

Nick, here is something you might read to have a sense of the CH "landscape": https://clusterbusters.org/forums/topic/6213-basic-non-busting-information/ (the reference about "busting" that others have pointed you to is included at the end of this post, if you haven't looked at that yet). You won't fully understand it all, and you surely won't remember a lot of it, but you'll know it's there. (I'd look at the replies, too.) Some of the info might help you for your doctor appointment, and at the least you will have the understanding that there are many ways to treat this condition. It's possible that you'll never have another attack, or that you won't have one for years. Probably the most practical thing you can do right now in case of another attack is to have a few containers of energy shots (e.g., 5-Hour Energy) or energy drinks (e.g., Red Bull) on hand. Particularly for people in early stages, these can abort an attack or significantly lessen its severity. For some people, even a strong cup of coffee helps. Most people find they can drink them at night and still get back to sleep. As spiny says, stay away from alcohol, the #1 trigger (for most people). (If you do have CH, this isn't a lifetime alcohol ban -- most people can drink when they are out of cycle (though many choose not to). There is a file here -- https://clusterbusters.org/forums/topic/4568-triggers/ -- with more info about triggers, but you don't need to stop doing everything on that list. Two things many of us think of when there's a sudden attack: MSG and dental work. Did you have either of those in close proximity to the attack you experienced?

.....hi Nick, welcome....sorry you need to be here but we can help. ...diagnosis the first step and important for eliminating other issues, and then for insurance purposes. most primary care docs know little to nothing about CH so you may have to educate yours. best to find a headache specialist if possible...note that even most neuros are little versed. ...read everything you can find here, especially starting with the banner link Rod pointed you to..... then ask away best jon

Well be sure to share any new tips, treatments or tricks when you get back. I wish a conference would come within decent driving distance of me but I'm happy to learn through you guys!