Posted by hyper (216.160.165.112) on June 16, 2000 at 02:25:01:
I know this is going to sound crazy, but when it comes
to suffering from cluster headaches, we dancers will
try anything to get a little break in the pain.
I've tried several drugs, treatments, all with limited
success and have found something that works good to take
the edge off of an aching head.
Concentrated peppermint oil rubbed around the affected eye
( forehead, bridge of the nose, cheekbone, under the eye
--not in the eye mind you, because that is not too comfortable )
but around the area where the pain has radiated.
This does relieve some suffering. Also, a little bit put on the nostril
of the stuffed sinus will allow it to clear and take the pressure off.
I've actually been holding the little bottle under my nose
and huffing it. It seems to work well for minor to moderate pain
due to clusters. Your eye may tear from the "fumes" but hey...your eye
is tearing already right ?
As we all know, nothing stops the really bad ones.
( At least, not in my case anyways. )
This is in no way a cure-all,
but I've found that it does help me and maybe this little tidbit of
info might just help someone else too.