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        New Message Board Archives >> Jan-Mar 2003 >> Ice It
        
(Message started by: alikat on Mar 2^nd, 2003, 10:03am)

Title: Ice It
Post by alikat on Mar 2^nd, 2003, 10:03am

Good Morning To Everyone......I am A Newby

Also a chronic cluster headache sufferer, the episodes started in 1998. After many doctors, and some internet research, I realized what my problem was. I am now being treated with oxygen, Topamax, and discovered that ice offers some relief. I have paralyzing pain on the whole left side of my face, the worst when in my temple, and bridge of my nose and eye. I discovered when I lay on ice wrapped in a towel, it does offer some relief. I live my life in fear, not knowing when the episodes will come, or when they will go. They have no pattern, as they used to and are very unpredictable. On the lighter side at least, the Topamax is gradually being increased and I am seeing an improvement. My heart goes out to all of those suffering, as well as those families suffering along with you. My husband and children have been my biggest supporters. I wish you all the miricle, to make your pain go away.

Title: Re: Ice It
Post by cbolony on Mar 2^nd, 2003, 10:29am

alikat wecome to the board tell your dr to give you imitrex injection in case the oxygen and the ice does
not work will make your life a liitle better it works for me.
And keep on reading all the posts and ask question

Title: Re: Ice It
Post by jonny on Mar 2^nd, 2003, 10:56am

Welcome aboard Alikat,

Read everything you can on this site, theres probably only one Doc that knows as much as you can read here and that Doc is a member of OUCH.

Join OUCH....clusterheadaches.org

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

Title: Re: Ice It
Post by Roxy on Mar 2^nd, 2003, 11:06am

Welcome alikat, glad you found the place. :)

Like you, I'm also a female chronic....my husband and kids are wonderful supporters too. Makes a big difference in life when you have that doesn't it?

I'm glad the topomax is doing something for you..I took it for 6 mths. with no difference. I'm now on Verapamil, 02 and Imitrex. Ice and cold always help with the hits too, I use an under the counter ice machine....my head just slides right in!

I know how you feel about the unpredictability of these things...we all deal with that issue. But, the Imitrex can relieve a lot of those worries.

Tell us some about how they hit you. How many times a day and night? How quickly do they come on? There are amazing people on this board who can help you in many ways.

Wishing for PFDAN,
Tracey

Title: Re: Ice It
Post by ave on Mar 2^nd, 2003, 11:06am

Alikat, sadly welcome. Get as much info from this site as you can.
Visit OUCH, the website button is marke in yellow on the left.

For ice, you may want to try frozen peas. Just as cold, but gentler on the head and follows the contours better.

Title: Re: Ice It
Post by frozn on Mar 2^nd, 2003, 12:05pm

Hi Ali, I am also new to the site (although I have suffered clusters for about 15 years now). I am glad that Ice gives you some relief, It always made my headaches worse. Heat gave me some relief, but not much. Until the imitrex, a heating pad and tears until I passed out was my relief.

Again, I am glad you have found some relief, and welcome to the site, it appears very informative.

Title: Re: Ice It
Post by suzy617 on Mar 2^nd, 2003, 12:09pm

Hi Alikat. Just wanted to welcome you to our great family!

suzy

Title: Re: Ice It
Post by 2late on Mar 3^rd, 2003, 7:02pm

welcome aboard alikat! immitrex injections work wonders for me also. good luck to ya! .......Jack

Title: Re: Ice It
Post by Charlie on Mar 3^rd, 2003, 11:18pm

Welcome aboard and stick around. Tons of good stuff here. We need your input as well.

Here is something that helped me:

Dr. Wright's Circulatory Technique

This is not transcendental meditation, imagery, relaxation, or anything psychic. It's entirely physical and takes a lot of work and concentration. Give this method a good workout. It’s not a miracle, but it’s been helpful to many.

When I was diagnosed, my neurologist said to treat this as a vascular problem. I was told to concentrate on “redirecting” blood circulation in order to retard flow to the head. This is done by trying to “send” blood into the arms and hands or other extremities. When properly done, your hands will become warm and redder with increased circulation. I also found it easier to concentrate on one hand.

This relieves just slightly, the pressure on the affected vessel, which indirectly causes our pain. We all have this ability but it can be exhausting. I was often able shorten my attacks from about half an hour to no more than a few minutes. Sometimes, when awake, I could entirely abort the attack IF I KEPT AT IT. Often, I would suffer only minor discomfort instead of excruciating pain. Do not stop just because your hands are warm or redder. Keep this up until you are sure it's subsided. If you let up or lose concentration, it’s very hard to restart this process. It may take some time but when this works, the relief is almost immediate.

I learned this from the doctor in a few minutes. He simply told me to try to keep blood away from the head. He thought it easiest to concentrate on the arms and hands but any place that works for you is fine. He said to think of it as "filling your hands" with redirected blood. It’s important to keep at it THROUGH the pain. This will be difficult, but it’s the only way this technique will work. Don’t let up until you are sure the attack has ended.

This will not always work, but I think it will always have at least some effect on the severity and duration of the attacks. It can be useful between medications or while waiting for some other drug to take effect. All it takes is a little practice. It was fairly easy to learn and what I'm writing here is more than I got from the doctor, as I've drawn from my own experience.

When awakened in horrible pain, it’s very hard to focus, but I think it’s always worth a try. This costs nothing but hard work, is harmless, non-invasive, and it gives us a fighting chance.

I wish you the best of luck - Charlie Strand