Cluster Headaches: What Happens

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What Happens

Most people who have cluster headaches have 1 or 2 cycles of headaches a year, with each cycle lasting between 1 and 3 months. After the cycle has subsided, most people are in remission with no headaches for about 6 months to 2 years.

Cluster headaches usually happen at the same time or times of day each time you get them. For example, they may begin at night, within 2 to 3 hours of falling asleep. But they can also occur during the daytime. You may have 1 to 8 headaches a day.

Cluster headaches cause deep, stabbing pain usually in, around, or behind one eye. The pain may extend to the temple, forehead, cheek, upper teeth, or even the jaw on the same side as the pain. You may also have a stuffy or runny nose, watery eye, and drooping eyelid on the same side as the pain. The pain almost always stays on the same side during a cycle of headaches.

The pain of cluster headaches intensifies quickly—within 5 to 10 minutes of starting—and usually remains constant for about 30 to 45 minutes, and sometimes up to 3 hours. Cluster headaches can continue for days, weeks, or months before symptoms completely stop (remission). You may not have another cycle of cluster headaches for months or even years. Less commonly, the headache cycles may become chronic and continuous.

During a headache cycle, you may be restless, agitated, or unable to sit still. Some people find relief by pacing, sitting, kneeling, standing, or jogging in place. Applying steady pressure to the painful area may provide relief. Lying down may make the pain worse.

Afterward, the pain goes away, but the headache may leave you physically and emotionally exhausted. Another headache may occur within a short time.

Some people have a single cluster headache cycle and never have another one. During a cycle, some people have up to 8 headaches a day over 6 to 12 weeks, followed by headache-free periods that can last for weeks, months, or years.¹

As you get older, it is likely that you will have longer and longer times without headaches (remission). Eventually, the headaches may stop altogether.

Last updated:	April 11, 2008
Author:	Monica Rhodes
Reviewed By:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine, Colin Chalk, MD, CM, FRCPC - Neurology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC