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(Message started by: myachinghead on Oct 16th, 2004, 6:09pm)

Title: it works for me!!!!
Post by myachinghead on Oct 16th, 2004, 6:09pm
Greetings my fellow unfortunates!

Iv'e been suffering from CH's for 18 yrs.  A long time ago my mother told me that she read that if you run your hands under hot water it helps.  Well, it didn't.  What I did just discover recently though is that if I get in a hot hot shower(please don't scald yourselves) and alternate between letting the water beat down on the back of my neck for 30 seconds to the top, front of my head for 5 seconds, on the side of the CH, it takes the pain away instantly and ends the CH after a few minutes!
Now, I don't know why I haven't tried this before because I don't know if works because because of the verapamil I am on now too or if it would work without it.
I have tried everything.  O2, imatrex, zomig, prednisone, verapamil,by itself, narcotics etc. and nothing ever worked.  (i think the zomig lessened the duration of the CH's but not the pain) and the hot shower has now worked 4 for 4.

GOOD LUCK  



Title: Re: it works for me!!!!
Post by john_d on Oct 16th, 2004, 6:13pm
greetings to you clusterhead

Title: Re: it works for me!!!!
Post by Ronny on Oct 16th, 2004, 6:15pm
Hi,

You've found something that works for you, good.

It has been on this board before, taking a shower, from hot to cold and back to hot, works for some.



    Ronny.

Title: Re: it works for me!!!!
Post by Charlie on Oct 16th, 2004, 7:45pm
Welcome aboard and that makes some sense to me. There are several ways water has helped. I believe it's circulatory.  Here is a technique that worked for me:

Dr. Wright’s Circulatory Technique:

What follows is a technique learned from a neurologist:

I am not sure what mechanism is triggered by this but whatever it is, at least indirectly helps kill the pain. I do know that this technique has nothing to do with meditation, relaxation, or psychic ability. It is entirely physical and takes some work. It involves concentrating on trying to redirect a little circulation to the arms, hands, or legs. It can described as a conscious circulatory flexing. Increased circulation will result in a reddening and warming of the hands. Try to think of it as filling your hands with redirected blood. The important and difficult part is that it has to be done without interruption through the pain. Do not give up in frustration. It may not work on the first try. Every now and then it will work almost immediately. I lived for those moments. Try experimenting between attacks. You will find that it gets easier with practice.

I was given less than five minutes instruction in the use of method. The doctor, while placing his arm on his desk, showed me that he could slightly increase his arm and hand circulation. After several attempts, I was able to repeat this procedure and use it successfully. I have had about a 75% success rate shortening these attacks. My 20 minute attacks were often reduced to 10 minutes or less. Once proven that I had a chance to effectively deal with this horror, I always gave it a try as I had nothing to lose but pain.

Perhaps it will help if you think of it as trying to fill the arm as if it is were an empty vessel. I used to try to imagine I was pushing blood away from my head into my arm. Use your imagination. There is one man who wrote that his standing barefoot on a concrete floor shortened his attacks. This may be similar as it draws some circulation away from the head. Cold water, exercise, or anything affecting circulation, seems to be worth a try. My suggestion is to not let up immediately when the pain goes. Waiting a minute is probably a good idea. So long as you do not slack off, this has a chance of working.

This technique is very useful while waiting for medication to take effect or when none is available. It costs nothing, is non-invasive, and can be used just about anywhere. It is not a miracle but it helped me deal with this horror. It can be a bit exhausting but the success rate was good enough for me and a cluster headache sufferer will do just about anything to end the pain. It gives us a fighting chance.

I hope this technique is helpful and I wish you the best of luck.

Charlie      

Title: Re: it works for me!!!!
Post by Jonny on Oct 16th, 2004, 7:49pm
Hot shower......LMMFAO ;;D

How bout cold shower?

...................................jonny



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