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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Some like it hot
        
(Message started by: nosnowmen on Dec 18^th, 2006, 9:41am)

Title: Some like it hot
Post by nosnowmen on Dec 18^th, 2006, 9:41am

I have heard a lot of people here that use ice packs and cold water. I am just the opposite. When haveing an attack cold makes my pain worse. As soon as I feel the start of an attack I hit the energy drinks, two red bull or a rockstar for 2,000 mg taurine, then straight into as hot as bath as I can stand. This has worked quite well for me. Just wanted to know if anyone else feels the same.

Title: Re: Some like it hot
Post by JDH on Dec 18^th, 2006, 12:15pm

I've used hot showers during an attack but once it's over I prefer ice for that soreness it always leaves me with.

Jim

Title: Re: Some like it hot
Post by rbmb on Dec 18^th, 2006, 12:39pm

Yep....I soak a wash cloth with hot water, wring it out and hold it against my eye and pace around until the HA goes away.
Rich

Title: Re: Some like it hot
Post by JeffB on Dec 18^th, 2006, 1:28pm

I tried a hot bath a couple of times, thought it made it worse.
Ice cold wash cloths and a bowl of ice water in the fridge is a staple at my place when in cycle.

Title: Re: Some like it hot
Post by nosnowmen on Dec 18^th, 2006, 2:06pm

During my night hits, after the very very hot bath I like to step outside in the cool air. I live in N FL. I bet my neighbors think I am some kind of nut in my boxers dripping wet walking in the middle of the night. It makes me laugh just to think about it. [smiley=laugh.gif]

Title: Re: Some like it hot
Post by Redd715 on Dec 18^th, 2006, 2:18pm

I prefer cold 99% of the time. However, if the cold isn't doing anything to bring the pain level down, I do then get into a hot shower and let the water pound on my face and head and neck.

Funny story, I've related this here once before.

A particularly hard hit, dead of a Wisconsisn Winter, sub zero windchills, and the ice didn't work, got in the hot shower till the hot water heater ran empty. Nekid and still in a world of hurt, I ran to my bedroom, dripping wet, flung upen the window and there I was with my face at the screen soaking the carpet, breathing in the frigid cold air. Finally it eneded after all that. Amazed I didn't catch phnemonia... :-/

Title: Re: Some like it hot
Post by allets on Dec 18^th, 2006, 4:21pm

I like hot. I use to heat a wash cloth with hot water but have made the rice bags and use those now. I just stick the rice bag in the microwave for 40 seconds and it stays warm for 20 minutes. If I get it on as soon as I feel one starting it usually aborts it by the time the rice bag cools. If it doesn't I just reheat it. You can make the rice bags using long grain rice the kind you have to cook for 45 minutes (not instant). Make them any size you want, I have one that's about the size of one side of my face. Those can be frozen also if you prefer the cold packs. I originally made them for muscle aches and pains but when I came in cycle in Oct after thinking I no longer had CH, it had been 7 years PF, they came in very handy.

Title: Re: Some like it hot
Post by vietvet2tours on Dec 18^th, 2006, 6:32pm

on 12/18/06 at 14:18:16, Redd715 wrote:

Or your mailman

Title: Re: Some like it hot
Post by Redd715 on Dec 18^th, 2006, 6:54pm

Bedroom window is blocked by some flowering bush/tree sort of thing, and faces the woods. In winter it's covered in snow so no one can see in if they tried.

Title: Re: Some like it hot
Post by AussieBrian on Dec 18^th, 2006, 8:56pm

I use both. Hang my head under the shower and turn it from hot to cold and back again. Figure if I can't slay the beast at least I can confuse it enough to leave.

Battling a real monster one night and, not being entirely in control of the situation, managed to scald my scalp and half my hair fell out. Didn't even realize until morning.

Also like that rice bag idea. Would work well combined with the famous Frozen Banana therapy.

Title: Re: Some like it hot
Post by taraann on Dec 19^th, 2006, 1:46pm

Sometimes I use a heating pad........ other times I use frozen peas usually I prefer cold though . And frozen peas are much more "comfortable" than ice.

Title: Re: Some like it hot
Post by TonyG1 on Dec 19^th, 2006, 7:02pm

I prefer the hot bath usually -- just depends on the hit whether cold or hot works for me... [smiley=confused.gif]

Title: Re: Some like it hot
Post by Richr8 on Dec 19^th, 2006, 8:16pm

Durng a hit, cold is my friend. :)

Title: Re: Some like it hot
Post by BarbaraD on Dec 20^th, 2006, 5:45am

A hot bath used to help me some (I'd lay back and soak the back of my head and then put my face under water and blow bubbles - kept me from screaming). Soon as the bath was cool, I'd hit the ice pack.

One tip from my son -- Take the hair dryer and put it on "low" (trust me don't put it on high) and hold it as close to your ear as you can stand until it starts burning. Somehow the hot air going down your ear - helps - sometimes.

And I have been known to sit on the front porch (at 3 in the morning) in 17 degree weather, in my nightgown and still be sweating. Even my dog (who's VERY loyal) gave up and let me do that one on my own. And I didn't care what the neighbor's thought.

Hugs BD

Title: Re: Some like it hot
Post by nosnowmen on Dec 20^th, 2006, 11:44am

LOL Thought I was the only one who blew bubbles. (please no I am bubbles jokes) I do the same thing with going from sitting up rocking to laying my face in the water. I'll try the hair dryer next time, it sounds good. I tried hitting the ice after the bath, and it helped. Just the cold at the onset of a hit or during makes my face tense up and increases the pain. Thank you for all of your help, everyone.

PF wishes and a Merry Christmas from my family to all of yours.

Title: Re: Some like it hot
Post by JeffB on Dec 20^th, 2006, 2:42pm

Hairdryers can get very hot, be careful.

Title: Re: Some like it hot
Post by Charlie on Dec 20^th, 2006, 10:27pm

I liked to be cool and used a cold washcloth. Dark was a must. Anything that has an effect on circulation seems to work. I used this:

Dr. Wright’s Circulatory Technique:

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.

Charlie

Title: Re: Some like it hot
Post by Redd715 on Dec 20^th, 2006, 11:50pm

Thinking about this hair dryer to the ear thing...

During a hit, it already feels like a red hot knitting needle is being shoved in my ear. I'm not so sure blowing more heat in there is gonna do me any good at all.

Just proves the point that we are all different and waht works for one won't always work for another.

Title: Re: Some like it hot
Post by ax on Dec 21^st, 2006, 2:37am

I tried hot even though my eye was burning.
That was really stupid. :-/

Title: Re: Some like it hot
Post by TonyG1 on Dec 21^st, 2006, 2:44pm

on 12/20/06 at 11:44:08, nosnowmen wrote:

Just don't try the hairdryer around the bath.... [smiley=bomb.gif]

Title: Re: Some like it hot
Post by STILLhurts on Dec 21^st, 2006, 3:18pm

I do hot.... Usually like this. Make coffee. Pour cup. Cover cup with hand until hand is as hot as I can take it. Move hand from hot cup to right eye. Repeat. Once it cools off enough not to burn my eyeball, I sometimes just put my face over the cup and let it steam into my right eye. It only helps a little, but it passes the time... I can't stand cold for anything...

Title: Re: Some like it hot
Post by liquidsuspension on Dec 21^st, 2006, 5:15pm

heat is a trigger for me. hot showers, heater vents, etc always make it worse. if i'm doing fine, and i go somewhere where their heat is turned up too high (too high for me anyways), that will instantly trigger a HA. i love the cool air.