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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2005 >> Heat instead of Ice
        
(Message started by: Capt-Kilowatt on Nov 6^th, 2005, 9:02am)

Title: Heat instead of Ice
Post by Capt-Kilowatt on Nov 6^th, 2005, 9:02am

Wow. lots of good info here. Still reading and taking notes. I had an attack in the middle of the night last night and stuck my finger on my carotid artery after reading about it here. It instantly went away and I went back to sleep. I'm still amazed. It may never work again but thank God it did at least once. They "always" build until I have to get up and get a Maxalt MLT and let it do it's thing for about a half hour. I know alot of people use ice to relieve the pain but never read of anyone using heat. I've tried both and for me the heat is the trick. I put a wet wash cloth in the microwave and then put it over my eye and cheek and it seems to dissolve the pain almost instantly albeit for only 20 seconds or so at a shot. I then re-heat it and apply it again and same thing. The pain in between is horrendous but the relief in between is heaven and is actually breaking it down allowing the Maxalt to get a better hold (I "think"). I was just wondering if anyone else uses heat instead of ice. I've tried ice but it seems to hurt like the dickens until it "numbs" my head but then it still hurts although it's a different type of hurt. Not as bad I realize but nothing like the feeling the heat gives me. Just wondering. Thanks.

Title: Re: Heat instead of Ice
Post by CHTom on Nov 6^th, 2005, 9:48am

It may be that you don't feel the CH pain because you are feeling the pain of the hot washcloth-be careful or you could wind up with a nasty burn. From reading your post, it appears that the CH pain relief is brief-how many times do you have to apply the hot cloth to your pain spot and how long does it take before the CH pain goes away?

Title: Re: Heat instead of Ice
Post by Capt-Kilowatt on Nov 6^th, 2005, 11:14am

The Maxalt MLT actually gets rid of the attack. The heat just alleviates the pain somewhat while it's doing it's job. I've got one of those bean bag type heating pads (can't seem to find it but will buy another if I don't soon)that you put in the microwave that retain their heat so i wouldn't have to run to the microwave every few minutes. The washcloth goes cold very quickly. It still takes a good 20-30 minutes for the extreme pain to subside. All I know is that when I'm having a CH, if I can get 20 seconds every now and again of relief before it builds back up, the brief absense is pure heaven. All I do then is remove it to another spot and although it doesn't do as well I eventually return it to the sore spot and it gets some more relief albeit short lived. Eventually the Maxalt MLT (which is what works the fastest with fewest side effects for me) kicks it out as quickly as it came leaving me with the remnants but allowing me to get on with life.

Title: Re: Heat instead of Ice
Post by tmcewan on Nov 6^th, 2005, 2:55pm

I've just found ths site! I thought it was just my imagination that a warm washcloth made me feel better.Glad to know I'm not crazy. I run to the bathtub when I feel a headache and sometimes the warm water and washcloth can make it go away, or at least ease the pain. Don't know how it works, but it seems to help! What is a Maxalt? My Dr. has never mentioned it.

Title: Re: Heat instead of Ice
Post by Capt-Kilowatt on Nov 6^th, 2005, 9:03pm

on 11/06/05 at 14:55:05, tmcewan wrote:

Maxalt is the same as Imitrex etc. I use the MLT version which disolves on the tongue instantly. It usually works within about 20 minutes. I'm interested that most here are using either Zonig spray or Imitrex injections for relief in the 5-10 minute range. I liked the Maxalt because it doesn't give me any side affects and has worked every time so far. I am going to ask my doctor for samples of the other 2 though. I tried Imitrex spray at first but it made me feel weird and my skin prickled and didn't seem to work any faster than the Maxalt MLT. I'd like to try the Zonig first to see how it does before going to a shot.

Title: Re: Heat instead of Ice
Post by Kate in Oz on Nov 6^th, 2005, 9:10pm

Hello and welcome,

Yep I use heat too. I get a hot water bottle and put it inside my pillow slip then rock my head on it - sounds silly I know but the pain of the heat on my head/face provides a tremendous distraction to the pain going on within.

Kate

Title: Re: Heat instead of Ice
Post by Beastfodder on Nov 7^th, 2005, 7:04am

Heat - dunking the whole head in a really hot bath is good for me when it really gets a hold in your head.

This year tho' I noticed that heat has actually triggered attacks once or twice now. Good news being that care of O2 and a good non rebreather mask backed by the clusterbusters method all my baths in this cycle have been for hygene not pain relief.

best wishes and pf days

Title: Re: Heat instead of Ice
Post by Sandy_C on Nov 7^th, 2005, 7:50pm

I absolutely cannot tolerate heat anywhere on my body during a hit. It's 100% ice for me. On my head, neck, and in my mouth! I tried standing in a hot shower twice, and the hit ramped up so fast and so furious, I ended up crawling out of the shower on my knees and laying on the cold tile floor.

Nope - no heat for me. [smiley=huh.gif]
\Sandy

Title: Re: Heat instead of Ice
Post by AussieBrian on Nov 8^th, 2005, 7:48am

For some it's ice, for others heat - just so long as it works for you.

I've long enjoyed substantial relief by hanging my head under the shower and switching it from hot to cold and back again every ten seconds or so. Not being entirely aware of things at the time, of course, I once managed to scald my scalp and half my hair fell out. Didn't even realise until morning.

Parental Guidance Reccommended, but it works for me.

Title: Re: Heat instead of Ice
Post by Barry_T_Coles on Nov 9^th, 2005, 10:48pm

I tried heat once while i was still in cycle, under the shower and getting hit with about a 4 so tried the hot water as much as I could stand, bad mistake it pushed me into an 8 in about 15 seconds flat.

When I came out of the hard hits and started shadowing I found a heat bag as hot as possible behind my head on going to bed gave me a decent nights sleep for about the first 2-3 weeks.

We are all different and that is what makes our world go round.

PFD's All
Barry

Title: Re: Heat instead of Ice
Post by jon019 on Nov 9^th, 2005, 11:29pm

Hi All,

Read these posts and it is obvious that you should..., then again you should..., on the other hand you should...

Aw hell, there aint anything obvious. Hot? Cold? Try 'em both, only you is gonna know if either one is any help!

Myself, a very hot shower at onset can sometimes make a difference. Ice, I cannot stand.

PF Wishes

Jon019