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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Heat or cold?
        
(Message started by: big_guy on Aug 12^th, 2006, 10:58pm)

Title: Heat or cold?
Post by big_guy on Aug 12^th, 2006, 10:58pm

I would like to ask if you seem to find relief from heat or cold.
Many years ago I would sit with my head under the hottest I could stand. Now I really can't remember why, because I don't remember that it helped. Maybe I was just trying to transfer the pain. This bout I have been using ice on my head and neck and it does seem to sometimes abort the attack but when it does I have a dull pounding in the middle of my head for most of the day. Kind of like a cheap wine hangover. A couple of weeks ago I was well on my way with a Kip 6 or 7, and the ice was not helping. At that time I was taking Axert to stop the headaches. It will work but means a 25 minute wait for it to take affect. In desperation I got in the shower with the water as hot as I could stand. Not on my head or neck but from my shoulders down. After about a minute the pain and pressure just seemed to drain out of my head. Pain free in about 2 minutes. I have tried this 2 other times. once gave some relief and once gave none. I don't know what to think.
Have others tried heat or cold and what were your results?

Big Guy

Title: Re: Heat or cold?
Post by nani on Aug 12^th, 2006, 11:01pm

I love cold. Ice packs, frozen veggies, air conditioning vents.
Heat kills me. It often makes things much worse.

Title: Re: Heat or cold?
Post by kcopelin on Aug 13^th, 2006, 12:45am

Big Guy,
Years ago I tried standing in the tub-half full of really hot water, with cold water from the shower on my head. It was very uncomfortable, and did not help my head. Since then I have frozen peas, ice packs, and/or cold washcloths on my face everynight. It seems to help-although I think my husband is less than thrilled.
Also find that if I transfer the peas to the other side it helps-think it confuses the CH.
Good luck and keep experimenting!
PFDAN y'all,
kathy

Title: Re: Heat or cold?
Post by georgej on Aug 13^th, 2006, 1:47am

I'm a little different, I guess.

For whatever reason, I can't use ice or frozen peas on my head. It feels better while I'm using it, but a minute or two after it's removed, I get a terrific rebound. It doesn't matter how long I leave it in place--the same thing happens, even if it feels as if the beast is on his way out.

The beast starts all over again, complete with the running nose and eye and the sweats. It unquestionably lengthens the overall hit for me. I should explain that I typically get long "dirty" hits that last two hours or more, and peak seven or eight times. (I think that's payback for getting fewer hits than most--usually one a night or one every couple of nights in the middle of a cycle.)

Also, every time I use ice (and I do use it occasionally when I've run out of options) I end up with a gruesome shadow that lasts into the next day. Maybe that's the same thing as big_guy's "cheap wine hangover". I avoid it like the plague whenever I can.

Heat's worse. It can turn a 6 into an 8, with no interim relief. I once had one of those migraine masks that heats up, but I burned it up in the fireplace out of hatred and loathing.

Wish I could use ice, though. Sounds like others get good results with it.

Best wishes (hope things get better soon, big_guy).

George

Title: Re: Heat or cold?
Post by TxBasslady on Aug 13^th, 2006, 3:21am

Cold...for me.

Heat seems to make things worse.

Jean

Title: Re: Heat or cold?
Post by E-Double on Aug 13^th, 2006, 5:24am

yes

Title: Re: Heat or cold?
Post by Shazza on Aug 13^th, 2006, 5:53am

Heat is bad for me I've realised that now!!!

Title: Re: Heat or cold?
Post by LeLimey on Aug 13^th, 2006, 6:01am

Cold for me every time.
Actually one of my biggest triggers is a hot steamy kitchen when I'm cooking a big dinner, never fails to make me shadow at least. I have all the windows open and keep diving out the back door to breathe

Title: Re: Heat or cold?
Post by roy21302 on Aug 13^th, 2006, 6:50am

I hate the heat, central heating, sun, just anything that makes me hot. Its a sure trigger, I swear by ice packs and ice cold water. I even have a little firdge in the car for journeys to keep my RB, ice packs and water cold. Here to PF times-----------------------------------Cheers Roy

Title: Re: Heat or cold?
Post by Sandy_C on Aug 13^th, 2006, 8:32am

Ice packs and ice water for me too. I have to time my showers to wash my hair when I'm positive that I'm not going to get a hit.

Sandy

Title: Re: Heat or cold?
Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on Aug 13^th, 2006, 12:19pm

Here in my neck of the woods the tap water is very cold. For me, when i get hit i normally go into my bathroom and use the sink to splash cold water on my eye and around my eye. I dont know if it really does help or if its just the power of suggestion, but I think it helps.
Sometimes, though, the cold is bad. Sometimes when i do that it makes it worse.

PF wishes
BMonee

Title: Re: Heat or cold?
Post by big_guy on Aug 13^th, 2006, 3:52pm

I guess my thinking was if I could dilate the blood vessels in most of my body it might relieve some of the pressure in my head. But when I am at Kip 7 or above I say bring on the chemistry.

Big Guy

Title: Re: Heat or cold?
Post by Charlotte on Aug 13^th, 2006, 4:17pm

For me, to dilate is to hurt, to constrict is to feel better.

Charlotte

Title: Re: Heat or cold?
Post by SophiaK on Aug 13^th, 2006, 4:24pm

Sometimes heating pad, sometimes cold pack. Sometimes both. It hurts either way. Eric, you are so funny! Hope you're getting some sleep. Lunch is waiting. :)

Title: Re: Heat or cold?
Post by frizzle on Aug 13^th, 2006, 6:18pm

Ice packs for me.

A hot tub or hot shower during a cycle triggers one, during it makes it worse.

My bedroom is so cold during this past cycle with the ac on about 60 all night that my husband has been sleeping in the other room and my oldest tried to come and sneak into bed with me, only to snuggle in and then say "Mommy, it too cold in here. I go find Daddy."