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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Cold or Hot Pack?
        
(Message started by: chockey on Aug 2nd, 2005, 10:11pm)
Title: Cold or Hot Pack?
Post by chockey on Aug 2nd, 2005, 10:11pm
In trying to alleviate the pain of my headaches I've been using a cold pack but I'm wondering if heat is better. Does anyone have any advice for supplemental remedies to the pain other than meds. Is heat better than cold? Cold better than heat?

Chris
Title: Re: Cold or Hot Pack?
Post by unsolved1 on Aug 2nd, 2005, 10:26pm
I think everyone is different. Myself, I like the heat.


UNsolved
Title: Re: Cold or Hot Pack?
Post by Sean_C on Aug 2nd, 2005, 10:32pm
Strictly cold for me.

Sean............................

(sp)
Title: Re: Cold or Hot Pack?
Post by kimmeesue on Aug 2nd, 2005, 11:22pm
Hot, hot shower followed by cold pack and fan right in my face.  Kinda helps distract me for awhile til the meds kick in.
Title: Re: Cold or Hot Pack?
Post by nani on Aug 2nd, 2005, 11:33pm
Ice. Heat makes mine worse.
Title: Re: Cold or Hot Pack?
Post by Jasmyn on Aug 3rd, 2005, 12:33am
Ice on the head and a strong hot coffee in the hand ;)
Title: Re: Cold or Hot Pack?
Post by burnt-toast on Aug 3rd, 2005, 2:25am
Strong stick in the left  -  Hot Tea alternating with a smoke in the right.

Between sips of tea and puffs on the smoke apply stick liberally.

I guess what I'm saying is go for the heat.  [smiley=laugh.gif]

Tom    
Title: Re: Cold or Hot Pack?
Post by AussieBrian on Aug 3rd, 2005, 5:43am
I use either, both, alternately, or at the same time.  Have used ice packs in a hot shower and hot water bottles in the swimming pool.

CH should be fun and never underestimate the value of experimentation, though it doesn't pay to get it wrong.

Was hanging my head under the shower one night and switching it from hot to icy cold. Other things on the mind, of course, and didn't notice the temperature. Scalded my scalp and half my hair fell out.

Everybody's different, Chockey, and so's every cycle.  One day we'll all get it right.

Kindest regards until then,

Brian.
Title: Re: Cold or Hot Pack?
Post by Jasmyn on Aug 3rd, 2005, 6:10am

on 08/03/05 at 05:43:33, AussieBrian wrote:
CH should be fun and never underestimate the value of experimentation, though it doesn't pay to get it wrong.

Was hanging my head under the shower one night and switching it from hot to icy cold. Other things on the mind, of course, and didn't notice the temperature. Scalded my scalp and half my hair fell out.



[smiley=crackup.gif] Sorry Brian but you are really funny!
Title: Re: Cold or Hot Pack?
Post by Sandy_C on Aug 3rd, 2005, 7:20am
Ice and only ice.  I can't tolerate heat anywhere near my head.  Just washing my hair makes it worse.  So, ice packs around my head and ice water in my mouth, always.
Title: Re: Cold or Hot Pack?
Post by E-Double on Aug 3rd, 2005, 7:45am

Quote:
We want to multiply, are you gonna do it
I know you're qualified, are you gonna do it
Don't be so circumscribed, are you gonna do it
Just get yourself untied, are you gonna do it

Feel the heat pushing you to decide
Feel the heat burning you up, ready or not

Some like it hot and some sweat when the heat is on
Some feel the heat and decide that they can't go on
Some like it hot, but you can't tell how hot 'til you try
Some like it hot, so let's turn up the heat 'til we fry
[smiley=laugh.gif]

I personally do not like the heat regarding being in a hot room or outside...annoys my head yet, I sometimes like ice applied while inhaling steam.

I never like to apply heat directly from a heating pad but do find some relief from hot shower along with ice.

We're all freaks!!!!
Title: Re: Cold or Hot Pack?
Post by brainfreeze on Aug 3rd, 2005, 10:45am
I'm familiar with 'hydro-therapy' is what the alternative practitioners call it.  Hot water causes the blood to come to the surface of the skin which is good for healing sores, rashes,  other skin maladys.  Cold water sends the blood to the internal tissues that cause healing there.  It depends on the pain that you are trying to relieve.  Can you massage it and it feel better which would work better with hot, or is the pain deep,  which cold water helps?  Personally, I'm strictly a cold water person.  8)
Title: Re: Cold or Hot Pack?
Post by scarmig on Aug 3rd, 2005, 5:11pm
I'm all about the hot-shower-in-the-face.  But it doesn't alleviate the pain so much as act like TV static during your favorite program, it's just so darn distracting you can't clearly experience it.  

Of course, I've ran our 55 gallon water heater empty on more than one occasion.
Title: Re: Cold or Hot Pack?
Post by BlueMeanie on Aug 3rd, 2005, 5:16pm

on 08/02/05 at 23:22:12, kimmeesue wrote:
Hot, hot shower followed by cold pack and fan right in my face.  Kinda helps distract me for awhile til the meds kick in.


Ditto... heated shower followed by ice packs to the head.
Title: Re: Cold or Hot Pack?
Post by BobG on Aug 3rd, 2005, 8:49pm
Ice pack. And the coldest room in the house at this time of year. In the winter it's barefoot and naked out on the patio.
Title: Re: Cold or Hot Pack?
Post by drivin_blind on Aug 4th, 2005, 9:14am
Cold pak only, followed by chain smoking.
Title: Re: Cold or Hot Pack?
Post by brainfreeze on Aug 4th, 2005, 9:40am

on 08/03/05 at 20:49:45, BobG wrote:
Ice pack. And the coldest room in the house at this time of year. In the winter it's barefoot and naked out on the patio.

Been there, done that !  Luv'd it when I went skiing.  I could just stick my face in the snow.  The other skiers thought it was odd though.  I didn't care,  I felt better. ;;D
Title: Re: Cold or Hot Pack?
Post by LadyElaine on Aug 4th, 2005, 4:31pm
I use to use hot water for years I did. I would run hot water sit on the tolit and hold my rag under Hot water and hold it to my head. I blistered my face doing it. I didn't feel it till afterwards.
One night Buddy took me to the ER. The nurse came in with some ice. I begged Buddy not to let her put ice on my face, I just knew it would make it worst. Well she used the ice and the ice helped. The doctor said that by me using heat and hot water I was making them worst.
Now if someone tries to put heat on me I won't let them.

People using heat try just ice you could be making it worst.
Title: Re: Cold or Hot Pack?
Post by madaline on Aug 4th, 2005, 6:13pm
along with the other abortives, ice packs are definitely a staple. I couldn't get along without their soothing effects.  Good luck to you. Madaline
Title: Re: Cold or Hot Pack?
Post by PJJM on Feb 21st, 2006, 8:03am
For me, the colder he better. When I am awoken by the pain, I know  it is too late for the painkillers although I still take hem in he hope that they just might help, i go straight to the swimming pool and plunge in, I sit under the water as long as my breath allows, with a CH it someimes seems quite long as I end to hold my breath to alleviate the pain, once I am starting o cool off I stay under the water with my head just above and breathe as deeplvy as I can over and over. I have had it where I was at the absolue peak of my pain threshold, gone to he pool and within 5 minutes the pain is gone. If I bring heat close to me I get far worse. I also rub a mixture of peppermint oil and lavendar oil on my forehead, temples and down my neck, these oils have a cooling effect, I have found this works best at he very onset of an attack. I am in the middle of an episode now and wondering when it is going to end, i has been 6 weeks now! and I am tired of it.
Title: Re: Cold or Hot Pack?
Post by Jasmyn on Feb 21st, 2006, 8:14am
Welcome to the board, PJJM.


Quote:
I am in the middle of an episode now and wondering when it is going to end, i has been 6 weeks now! and I am tired of it.


Hang in there and I hope you have PF days soon.
Title: Re: Cold or Hot Pack?
Post by pattik on Feb 21st, 2006, 8:36am

on 08/03/05 at 20:49:45, BobG wrote:
Ice pack. And the coldest room in the house at this time of year. In the winter it's barefoot and naked out on the patio.


What happens there, stays there. [smiley=laugh.gif] ;;D

For me its a cold pack pressed as hard as I can stand it.

Pat
Title: Re: Cold or Hot Pack?
Post by Dragnlance on Feb 21st, 2006, 9:13am
Ice pack will make me scream. Tried ice once and thought I would die. (actually begged for it)

Heat, heat heat. Hot shower, microwave hot packs, even warm sunshine coming thu the window.

My suggestion... find what works for YOU. As you can see by the responses we are all different, and react differently. So test it and see what what makes you feel better.


Quote:
Scalded my scalp and half my hair fell out.


Hey Brian, that is the most creative, if also most full of roo dung, explaination I have heard for that condition... [smiley=crackup.gif]

Dragn
Title: Re: Cold or Hot Pack?
Post by Melissa on Feb 21st, 2006, 1:00pm
my advice?  try the heat and find out for yourself.

;)mel


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