Posted by Rosemary Warner (204.60.52.165) on September 21, 1999 at 21:05:20:
Thanks everyone for e-mailing me or posting message on board. It was nice surprise to come home from work and Dave had a bad day today to find other people to be there to talk to. Some people talk about using cold packs, Dave can't use them at all he says it makes the pain worse. We found with him a moist microwavable pad that I got at a medical supply store 2 years ago works sometimes before the cluster begins, and sometimes after it has come to relieve the swelling and soreness on the right eye that swells up. You can also get them now in CVS or Brooks Pharmacys for less money. Also a hot cup of tea sometimes helps before by breathing in the hot moisture, or after just for a cup of tea to relax with. In the winter our bedroom has an air filter that helps relieve the stuffiness that comes with the cluster and in the summer we have the air conditioning on. Also the times when I can touch Dave I scratch or rub gently his back this feels good and helps him (sometimes) concentrate on how good it feels than just the pain. I hope some of these ideas help relieve some of the horror you people go through.
Rosemary