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If it is migraine, you would think that the rizatriptan (Maxalt) would help, since that's what it's for. It NOT a cluster headache medication (or at least not a first-line CH med). Not saying it isn't migraine, of course, just observing. I will jump to my usual possible diagnosis (NOT a doctor) of some form of hemicrania. The eye droopiness and watering are symptoms of hemicrania, and the continual pain with occasional explosions could fit, too. Hemicranias are typically resistant to triptans (although it's possible that the "painkilling shot" that helped you was a triptan, and as I've said, rizatriptan pills typically don't help CH in any event, so that isn't much of a test). Here is some information about one form of hemicrania: https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/hemicrania-continua-symptoms-treatment Another is paroxysmal hemicrania, which you can look up. A "good" thing about hemicrania is that there is a highly reliable preventive, Indomethacin. There isn't enough info right now to do anything but guess and be sure all the options are being considered. I am just providing this information so you can be sure you and your doctor is considering/aware of all the options. For all I know, it could in fact be sinus-related and/or Covid-related. You might want to look over this file, just in case -- https://clusterbusters.org/forums/topic/6213-basic-non-busting-information/ -- and maybe you'd want to try some strong coffee or an "energy shot" such as 5-Hour Energy, since those typically help reduce CH pain. Doctor oddities appear much too often: In this case, diagnosing CH (that's a good thing, if she is correct) and then prescribing a migraine medication that is explicitly not for cluster headaches (https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/rizatriptan-oral-route/description/drg-20065868#:~:text=Rizatriptan is used to treat,group of medicines called triptans.). If this painful situation continues for you (I hope/we all hope it doesn't), you're likely to get the best diagnosis and treatment at a headache center.

I'd agree with @BoscoPiko. To me it sounds more like migraine. Not sure why a doctor would diagnose cluster headache after only one attack. I would think they would want to hear of a cluster pattern before making that diagnosis. As noted, ibuprofen/ acetaminophen don't help for cluster headaches. Not to downplay migraine, as they are also very painful. But, to me, it doesn't sound like cluster (which is good news).

Not sure if there is a correlation with the "onset".. Seems to me that you get it or you don't... (genetics unfortunately do play a roll) , unfortunate event either way indeed. During the effort to control the bunny.. YES there is what I believe to be a correlation. If your system gets drowned/depleted due to any infection/virus it is my personal belief that the door gets opened due to depletion of of the immune system and inability to respond properly. I say this because I was diagnosed with a chronic sinusitis nearly 12 years prior to the onset of CH. I have had several attacks after being sick and after sever bouts of allergies that have opened the stage for the cluster bunny to preform. The meds you mention putting a damper on the pain are not indicative of CH. I'm not saying you do not have it... The above is pixy dust to a Cluster Head.. Does noda .. Absolutely will not touch anything but shadows "if your lucky" To me.. this sounds like "migraine with aura" dreadful for sure and I've been wrong many, many times ! I pray you do not have CH and that a decent Dr. can sort this mess out for you!

Yup. Lots of discussion about this on the forum earlier in the pandemic. Definitely seems like a relation. That said, people that have found it happened to them are probably more likely to reply in those threads. So, it may not be as statistically common as it seems when reading the replies. I can say that for me, my last cycle started only a few days after recovering from COVID. And that cycle ended up being three times longer than any cycle I had previously. As snafu noted, the belief is that vitamin d levels get low in the body while fighting covid (or other), so, I guess that can trigger a cycle.