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(Message started by: Sylvan on May 8th, 2005, 2:55pm)

Title: Some "Headache Hints" I Got In The Mail
Post by Sylvan on May 8th, 2005, 2:55pm
I got one of those Herbal Remedy Mailers recently - and as i was tossing it in the trash - i noticed there was an insert on Headaches - so i read it.

It spells out a few headache remedies that i had not seen before and also cites them as useful for cluster headaches so i thought i'd share them.

Some sound a bit hokey and some look like they'd be useless since it would take longer to prepare the remedy than the HA's generally last.

No clue if there is any validity to them but here they are:

Self Accupressure
Use your thumb and index finger to press against the bridge of your nose at the corners of your eyes. Or, rub the center of the fleshy webbing between your index and thumb.

Footbath
A footbath diverts the blood supply from your head to your feet. Bathe your feet in  a basin of 95 degree F water. Add hot water at 5 minute intervals until 115 degrees F is reached. After soaking your feet for 5 minutes, pour in cold water until the temperature is lukewarm. Put on wool socks and lie down for about 20 minutes.

Lemon Coffee
For quick relief, put a few drops of fresh lemon juice into a cup of black coffee and drink in small sips. Not recommended for people with sensitive stomachs.

Peppermint Compress
Moisten a cloth with cold water and put 2 drops of peppermint oil on it. Apply to painful area for about 15 minutes.

Potato Poultice
Cut 2 large, unpeeled potatoes into quarters and boil until tender. Mash them and press out the excess moisture. Wrap the warm mixture in a cloth; place it on the back of the neck for about 15 minutes.

Horseradish Poultice
Add a small amount of water to finely grated horseradish. Wrap it in a cloth; apply it to the neck for not more than 5 minutes. This will stimulate the skin, which helps extinguish headache pain. If your skin is sensitive, spread cream over your neck before applying.

Title: Re: Some "Headache Hints" I Got In The M
Post by Marta on May 8th, 2005, 3:22pm
Hi,

I tried a pot of fresh coffee and the juice of a lemon a few CH cycles ago.  Tasted interesting but didn't do anything for the CH.  I haven't tried any of the other suggestions.  I suppose the self accupuncture is similar to trying to hold your head in one piece during a hit so I guess I have tried that as well.  I don't think I'll try the other ones because, as you wrote, when you're in the clutches of the beast you don't really want to be preparing some of these 'remedies'!

Thanks for forwarding them anyway.

Goodluck with the CHs and let us know if you have any success with the 'remedies'


Marta

Title: Re: Some "Headache Hints" I Got In The M
Post by Sylvan on May 8th, 2005, 4:19pm
Thanks for the feedback Marta.

At the moment (anti-jinx) i am PF - but i just may try some of them - IF (I refuse to say "when") they return.

The kudzo is also on my eventual shopping list.  I'd much prefer a natural remedy to the lithium/verapamil cocktail. While it worked - i did not like the side effects.

Anne

Title: Re: Some "Headache Hints" I Got In The M
Post by nani on May 8th, 2005, 4:57pm

on 05/08/05 at 14:55:17, Sylvan wrote:
Self Accupressure
Use your thumb and index finger to press against the bridge of your nose at the corners of your eyes.


I actually use that one a lot. It doesn't really help, but it feels good. Beats trying to put my head through a wall, or gouging my eye out.  :-/



Title: Re: Some "Headache Hints" I Got In The M
Post by vig on May 9th, 2005, 9:31am
I tried the potato poultice but it was much better with gravy....
;;D

Title: Re: Some "Headache Hints" I Got In The M
Post by sandie99 on May 9th, 2005, 10:00am
Thanks for sharing it... :)

Never know, those might help one of us!

BTW, I do also self accupressure sort of thing. Doesn't do anything for the pain, but I feel better when I'm doing something... ;;D

Title: Re: Some "Headache Hints" I Got In The M
Post by PerryGR on May 10th, 2005, 12:51pm
Thank you for sharing Sylvan.

Up untill now i used to put some pressure on my temple, the inner top corner of my eye (where the eyebrow begins) and the eye itself. After reading this thread last night i decided to try the self accupressure thing as described here (pressure against the bridge of one's nose).

I tried it today when my morning attack made an appearance right on schedule. At first i thought it was working cause the pain stayed for about 20 minutes at a K3 (when usually my attacks take about 5 minutes to fully develop). But then the pain became bilateral and went up to K6 on both sides for about 45 minutes. After vomiting i got relief on one side but the pain on other side went up to a K8 for another hour.

I don't even dare to guess what that was (cluster??, cluster+migraine??, migraine??) i've had it before though (last time must have been about 5-6 months ago) so i'm not worried. I'm pretty sure this was coincidental but stating my story just in case someone else experiences something similar when trying the self accupressure technique.

PFDAN to all,
Perry.



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