Posted by Jamie S (198.81.17.36) on December 28, 2001 at 09:34:20:
Hi, I'm new here, but have had clusters since I was 20.I'm 42 now. I have mine in the right side. I have found some relief with Ergot-Caffeine. I have'nt had an attack for about 18 months. I believe the older I'm getting, the less frequent the attacks are becoming.Mine usually hit late winter,early spring and last for about 3 months. Contrary to what I am told by doctors etc. I find relief in heat. I use a hot washcloth, somtimes alternating with ice. I have also found that deep concentration and focusing on one point in space(I know,you just have to work through the pain)can help. I've read about the Oxygen and been told by my doctor it may help, but in my case, I feel like cold, dry air is a trigger. I believe that the hot,moist air from the washclothes(see above)is some kind of a key,who knows? When mine drain, it is usually accompanied by a crackling in the right side of my nose, and the draining sensation is through my right nostril. I have read that some people feel it drain through thier ears, but my worst pain is usually more forward, tops of my gums,eye socket,right side of nose, so thats where I concentrate the heat/cold. If it's any consolation,the length/severity of my attacks seems to be diminishing with time. My early thirties were probably the worst, but that's just me..feel free to e-mail anytime! tailspinzz@cs.com