Posted by Bennie Sue (63.11.65.100) on September 20, 2000 at 07:32:03:
In Reply to: methods posted by John on September 20, 2000 at 02:49:52:
Sure we do wacky things. I not only blow hot air from my hairdryer on the affected side. At the same time I try to hold hot coffee on the upper gumline (you have to tilt your head to do this) while two-stepping around the table, a small area defined by the short dryer cord.
In my other hand I am holding a bottle of Ora-jel and trying to tip the bottle and pour the stuff on my head. That done I swallow the cooled coffee, take another mouthful of hot coffee and try to hold it against the back upper throat (where the nerve is that causes ice cream headache when cold is applied.) When that coffee cools, I alternately drink a little more coffee and then blow on the surface of the liquid to create a little steam to breathe.
The heat is definitely soothing if not abortive. And the distraciton of this frenetic activity makes the 30-45-minute attacks seem a little shorter.
I am actually glad these attacks usually come at night - at least I don't have an audience at my performance.