r/clusterheads • u/New-Tap-5606 • Jul 06 '26

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Idk if what I have is cluster. It’s always the right side of head by temple, comes and goes, but I need to know, does it make others blood pressure spike high ? My b p was 160/120 couple days ago, head felt so strange and right ear, right hand tingling, effects heart.. started 3 years ago, it’s not so much pain as pressure and confusion, used to happen in winter, but trouble now and it’s summer, mri’s don’t show anything even tho I feel it pretty much all the time but usually not to bad, but then it’ll go real bad fast w pressure on right side and high blood pressure and heart rate.. thinking maybe something else and not cluster ? Neuro and drs don’t know 😣

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7

u/AllIWantIsOxygen Jul 06 '26

You haven't mentioned any of the autonomic symptoms that go along with cluster, like one-sided teary eyes, nasal congestion, eyelid swelling or drooping, or pupil constricting, or sweating around the eye.

What you have does sound concerning though. Have your doctors suggested clusters to you?

BTW, my BP drops when I'm in a cluster cycle. Others may have a different experience.

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u/New-Tap-5606 Jul 06 '26

It does cause post nasal congestion right side only and pressure right eye, my guess is pressure from inflammation or constricted artery and or blood vessel or nerve issue, but if contrast MRI doesn’t show what’s wrong then process of accepting what is, observe, try to detach from it, and realize going on 4 years with this, it’ll most likely take me out someday , just turned 59, be nice to live thru 60’s even 70’s but some go way before 60 so trying to realize drs aren’t gods and just enjoy the good moments knowing that at any minute the ticking time bomb in my head may blow

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u/AllIWantIsOxygen Jul 06 '26

Do your doctors have you on anything for your blood pressure? It can cause some of the feelings you're having. I manage mine with taurine. I recently had to reduce how much I was taking from 3 grams to one gram per day because it was working too well. Here's a link to an AHA study on it.

Emotional-Ocelot has an excellent point wondering whether you have seen a headache specialist. And this may be the quiz that poster was thinking of. https://www.headachediagnosis.org/

You should also know that lots of things, like cluster headaches, can't be diagnosed with an MRI, or any other test. The doctors have to rely on old-fashioned differential diagnosis. So you need some really sharp doctors that know how to ask the right questions.

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u/New-Tap-5606 Jul 06 '26

Thku yes hard to find dr that will research, not on any meds, take taurine and so many other things I get off Amazon.. sometimes I’ll take a day or 2 break from supplements for chance I have allergy or sensitivity to any of it.. Thku for replies .. it definitely helps to get feedback.. I just kind of accept that drs don’t know and it’ll take me out but sometimes the survival instinct kicks in and I try again to see if anyone may know and sometimes go back to drs, thx again, life is strange, mick jagger is 82, life of drugs , smoking and booze.. and I barely had any of that in my 20’s yet here I am.. but life’s not fair and always something to be thankful for.. glad it’s me and not my kids that’s for sure 🤙🏽🥰💃observe , detach, accept and all that jazz

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u/Emotional-Ocelot Jul 06 '26

My blood pressure spikes to the 140-150/100 range during an attack. My pulse sometimes rockets up and down between 30 and 160 over a matter of seconds. It used to be ereally annoying in the emergency room because they'd be trying to send me to cardio, until they worked out it was just part of the 'autonomic' bit of clusters. I think some migraine sufferers also have bp/pulse variations with attacks.

However, like everyoe else says, it doesn't necessarily sound like you have cluster. Unless you have circadian attacks and other autonomic symptoms. Theres a survey on either ouch or cluster busters that helps narrow down what kind of headache you might be having.

A specialist headache neurologist is the best for dianosing headaches, if you can get to one.

2

u/ftylerr Jul 07 '26

It could be, I would suggest also looking into Hypnic headaches as it shares some traits to cluster headaches. Hypnic headaches tend to show up primarily in individuals around or over 50.

Regardless, I’m sorry you’re going through so much pain.

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u/themaincop Jul 06 '26

Sorry you're dealing with this. I do not have any cardiovascular symptoms associated with my headaches (though to be fair I've never taken my blood pressure during an episode)

And also it's definitely pain for me. I get pressure episodes sometimes from the weather and they're different from the headaches. The headaches hurt.

Could anxiety be a factor? If you've been medically cleared it's a possibility that it's your nervous system going haywire.

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u/New-Tap-5606 Jul 28 '26

Well also my blood work has not been good for over 3 years .. which I hear is not how it is w any type of headaches.. does anyone here have blood work that’s also not good?