14 year old son with severe headache.

[Amanda4]

My son woke up with pain in his right eye around the brow bone, the pain kind of came and went.  I figured it was maybe a sinus headache. Two days later the pain intensified and along with the pain in his right eye his left leg starts hurting and becomes weak, also blurred vision.  I made an appointment with his Pediatrician who feels that he's suffering from cluster headaches and prescribed Ultracet.  The Ultracet helps ease the pain but not by much.  My biggest question is:  Do Cluster Headaches on the Right side of the head affect the left leg?  Also I have read that laying down makes Cluster Headaches worse, Standing, Sitting, and Laying do not help at all.  Actually walking is next to impossible for him when he is in severe headache mode because his left leg hurts, and becomes weak.

He describes the pain in his head as sharp and pulsating.

Please let me know if these are all symptoms of a cluster headache.

thanks
Amanda

[wrightie_10]

Hello, Sorry to hear the distress this is causing your son. I am wandering if he feels weak in any other body part, This may not be cluster headaches, It could be Hemiplegic Migraines. A quick Google will give you the ins and outs. I got diagnosed with it today, My entire left side of my body becomes week and sometimes paralyzed all together during an attack, I also have extreme pains in my head, but on the left side and at the right back side. these headaches are terrifying.( i am also 14 years old, But have a good medical knowledge, Want to be a doctor, already researching).
Hope your son gets well soon

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi

Cluster headaches are usually associated with eye redness, eye tearing and nasal discharge. They seem to be present in the area around the eyes and intake of alcohol aggravates it. How old is your son?

I suggest that you seek consult with a neurologist. Cluster headaches are short lived headaches and they may occur as sharp, stabbing or ice pick in character. They occur in clusters in a specific time of the year and may resolve only to come back in clusters again. Weakness of the extremity needs further evaluation in the presence of a headache. It is best to have him assessed neurologically before other diagnosis of benign headaches be given.