u/BisexualPear

ER said I probably just had my first cluster headache

Title. I (25F) went to the ER last night after waking up with severe right eye pain and pressure with nausea. (pain rated 7/10). I was restless and panicked and found it hard to focus, which was very abnormal. Disappeared rapidly after about 30 minutes awake with it, went to the ER anyway worried about losing my eye. Scans done, nothing going on in my skull. Doctors called me a "textbook cluster headache case" which is odd because I've had exactly one, but I put at least a bit of trust in medical professionals. I wasn't that worried, they didn't make it sound terrible, and I was just glad I wasn't going to lose my vision, but everything I've learned about cluster headaches since is extremely anxiety inducing.

Now I'm left with a moderate confidence guess from the ER that I just had my first cluster headache and I'm not sure what to do. I'm scared to go back to sleep and the uncertainty is killing me. Is this a typical first experience? 7/10 to start with before moving on to the "real" 10/10s? I'll be seeing my doctor as soon as reasonable. Any advice in the meantime? How does anyone with cluster headaches possibly not have insomnia during their clusters? Anything would be helpful, thanks.

EDIT: Thanks all to the words of advice, had some terrible sleep last night and I've been skeptical of every little bit of head pain I've gotten all day but no further episodes. Some clarification based on comments: I did have autonomic symptoms, significant tearing in the affected eye especially near the end, but nothing nasal. Also want to reassure that I'm working on getting appointments right away, apparently the ER documents did put down a CH diagnosis which does seem a bit early, considering the main characteristic, but it'll be helpful getting everything in order just in case. I'm still really anxious and uncertain but everyone's responses have been helpful, thank you all.

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u/BisexualPear — 9 days ago