Posted by John B (216.85.128.117) on March 02, 2000 at 20:29:21:
In Reply to: hello to all of you. posted by monica janice on March 02, 2000 at 13:27:22:
Hello, and Welcome!
The best natural treatments I have heard discussed here are the water treatment (WWW or Water X 3; see the sidebar) and Oxygen. In order for oxygen to work, it must be used properly.
Oxygen is not really a "natural" treatment in the most pure sense of the term, but oxygen is a pretty natural substance. In order for it to help abort a cluster headache, you must breathe 100% pure oxygen immediately upon noticing the onset of an attack. This requires a non-rebreathing-type of mask and an oxygen tank and regulator capable of delivering 10 liters per minute of oxygen. In theory, this requires a prescription from a doctor, but many of us have gotten around this by going to a welding supply store and buying oxygen from them. If you are absolutely sure that the source of the oxygen is the same, and that it contains no impurities such as oils, other gasses, greases, dirt, etc., you should be fine, but you are, of course, on your own if you do not get your oxygen from a medical supply. Used in this way, oxygen will usually abort an attack within 15 minutes. One must be very careful not to fall asleep with such a mask in place. Breathing 100% oxygen for long periods is harmful. The mask itself is dangerous if the tank becomes empty, because it does not allow any outside air into it at all.
Regarding diet, pretty much all of us agree that alcohol is a bad no-no, many feel MSG triggers clusters, and nobody seems to agree on much of anything else.
Welcome aboard!
LYG
John