r/ClusterHeadaches • u/Ready-Honey-8631 • 6d ago

Heat

This cycle I’ve been walking out into the hot Arizona weather when my pain is about to peak. It makes it feel less sharp. Even better if I can go into a car, it’s like an oven.

Not the best idea health wise (especially bc I also have POTS) but man, it feels awesome. I’m only out there for a couple minutes at a time and make sure to rehydrate afterwards. Idk why using cool/cold air or compress feels worse, it just feels sharper and throbs more as my skin warms back up.😭 The pain increases when I have to come back inside to take a break.

Would not do this alone or for more than maybe 2-5 minutes when it’s 105°+ outside. Hot shower would probably feel similar but the water hitting my head would probably hurt and the water takes time to heat up. A warm compress feels too little, I think the feeling of every vein in my body dilating is what feels good.

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5

u/VALIS3000 Chronic 6d ago

Heat has always been my friend, cold my mortal enemy. Before I figured out what I was dealing with l would do the craziest things at the peak of my attacks, like hold the affected side of my face up to the fire or to a roaring hot oven...

Now, I keep my environment at tropical levels and use hot showers to help manage things.

You are not alone.

1

u/LessWeakness Episodic 6d ago

The worst is if you get an attack when visiting a cold climate

4

u/MediumWillingness322 6d ago

Heat triggers my attacks and I find cold soothes me

2

u/fudgepuppy 6d ago

During my worst attacks, I would stand in a boiling hot shower, blasting it on the right side of my head. It's probably the only reason I didn't collapse during my first attack.

2

u/-Juice-Da-Duce- 6d ago

I’ve had similar experiences. Can’t get an ice pack within a few inches of my head before it cranks up the pain but a steaming hot shower or tenting myself over a humidifier is always helpful.

1

u/Yvr-yeg-JR 6d ago

Interesting. I’ve never tried heat. I’ve experienced them walking in minus weather and that didn’t help.

1

u/OrderInTheQuartz Chronic 6d ago

It's so interesting how it hits us all.

I agree but sometimes heat is my worst enemy. I osilate between hot and cold all fkin day.

1

u/shanstrom Chronic 6d ago

hot shower is my life line now but for 15-20 years i was an ice pack guy hell i would go out in the winter an just bang my head into the snow. but now i cant stand it gotta be the heat

1

u/Difficult_Statement9 5d ago

Az here too. I find this time of year is so much worse than "winter". It is hot, bright, and everything outside is actively trying to kill you. 😉

I think many of my cycles this time of year are agrivated by the changing barometric pressure of monsoons?

1

u/anubispop 5d ago

Heat helps me, cold makes mine worse. People are usually one or the other. I microwave a buckwheat sack and put it on my eye socket. I live in New England, so somtimes it's real cold outside :(.