not sure why I tried this but when the cluster comes on I climb into the tub with room temp water and dump hot water from the tap onto the right side of my head(pain area) and for some reason it causes the pain to go away very quickly compared to oxygen or imetrex.

A rather variation on an old theme!

Years past, we had a run of folks using a hot air dryer aimed at their temple to kill an attack. But even then, there was the alternative group who found ice packs (even packages of frozen peas or corn) on the nap of the neck to work.

No wonder poor newbies get puzzled....

Our good mate Bob has told you only part of the story, MM, leaving out the bit about the famous frozen banana cure. Certain members here, who shall remain nameless to protect the guilty, still cringe over that one.

For myself, I swear by your system and commonly use a hot water bottle in a cold shower or take my friendly bag of frozen peas into a hot one. Figure if I can't beat the bastage, I can confuse it enough to leave.

Time was I'd simply hang my head under the shower switching the taps from hot to super cold but I was getting bashed pretty bad one night and mucked it up. Scalded my scalp and half my hair fell out.

Didn't even realise until morning.

Yeah i did the hot shower with ice pack thing the first time I had clusters.

For me it's certainly heat. I put a towel soaked in VERY hot water directly on the pain area. It burns but it works. Combined with an energy drink followed by a strong cup of coffee, it can kill most k5-k7 hits. Add O2 and you'll rarely even need a triptan.

I think it's just the fact of doing something that helps. My little routine is to throw in a cup of coffee, pace around rubbing the head furiously while intermittently stopping to splash cold water on my face, then shove my head into a cushion as hard as I can, then repeat the whole process. Never sure if it actually helps shorten the hit but it keeps me busy.

Keeping busy is really the key.  I do housework.  Anything mindless and time consuming.  Load laundry, do dishes, take out the trash... all while cursing and probably appearing stark raving mad to my neighbors.

I have the privilege, nay the honor of living in very cold country. My CH's attack in the winter and I can sit a spell outside "until my fingers turn kinda blue ;)". and ease the beast off somewhat that way.
When that fails I threaten the beast through unsanitary words and empty threats, [smiley=argue.gif] he usually just laughs at me "bastard" But then I strap on my O2 and he runs screaming. "most days."

niavas wrote on Feb 15^th, 2013 at 12:14am:

..unsanitary words and empty threats...

Now there's something a bloke doesn't hear every day and I thank you for the smile it's just stuck on my dial.

All I question is that you strap the O2 on later rather than sooner. Many start at the first hint of a hit.

"Unsanitary words and empty threats"!  Gunna use that.

Wow I sure feel like one of the gang after reading all your reply's lol Thank you, Mark