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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> hot / cold shock therapy
        
(Message started by: bocephus on Nov 19^th, 2004, 3:19pm)

Title: hot / cold shock therapy
Post by bocephus on Nov 19^th, 2004, 3:19pm

For me the biggest hurdle in stopping an attack once it starts is to stop the anxiety first. If I can't relax it is going to be a long and painful attack, so relaxing is the key. The hot / cold shock therapy that I use is simple. I turn on the shower hot enough to boil a chicken. I sit down in the tub and let the scalding hot water pound my head. I sit there in it for about 5 minutes and breath steadily. Then I reach up and turn the water mixer from straight hot to straight cold. I only let the cold be on for about 30 seconds because I can't handle the freezing water as well as I can handle the scalding water. Usually within about 20 minutes and three to four repeats of this process the headache will be totally gone.

I came up with this myself years ago and have always used it when the situation allowed and it has yet to fail to stop my headaches within a half an hour.

(Do you like the name? I came up with that myself.) ;;D

Title: Re: hot / cold shock therapy
Post by marlin on Nov 19^th, 2004, 4:08pm

Sorry to burst your bubble but... This approach has been around for a long long time. I remember trying it at least 20 years ago. Never did much for me besides provide a distraction.

But hey, if it works for you, GREAT.

That said, Have you tried Imitrex? If not it's something you should seriously consider talking over with your doc. Real 100% relief and relatively few situational restrictions. That shower treatment probably isn't too practical when you're at work, a dinner party or a baseball game...

Title: Re: hot / cold shock therapy
Post by Testy1 on Nov 22^nd, 2004, 1:23pm

Bocephus
I do pretty much the same thing except after I get wet I get out and stand in front of an air-conditioning vent or a fan so the evaporation freezes me thoroughly. Like Marlin, I doubt if this really does anything but it IS a distraction and at least I feel like I'm fighting back some way. I figure that anything that makes me feel better, even if it is only by a tiny amount, is a good thing.

Jack

Title: Re: hot / cold shock therapy
Post by marieinthesprings on Dec 11^th, 2004, 9:40pm

I love the shower distraction too..........aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh, if only the hot water could hold out as long as the beast, however, I am happy to report that I have finally found something that works for me, Imitrex spray, less than 10 mins and i am back in bed, I almost miss those 2am showers, NOOOOOOOOT.......I really hate taking meds but I hate the beast even more.............hmmmm 20 mins and they are gone for u? How long do they last otherwise? Pain free wishes to you and I am prayine mine stop soon tooo, its been a long cycle.....cheers....Marie