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Topic: Harvard notices kudzu (Read 325 times) |
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nani
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Harvard notices kudzu
« on: Nov 7th, 2005, 7:22pm » |
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I'm in touch with Dr Sewell at Harvard and I received an email the other day asking me to participate in a kudzu case series for publication in a medical journal. Here is part of what I received. If you have a kudzu story (successful or not, I think) please consider participating in this project. It could be a precursor to an actual study someday.
Hello everyone!
Thirteen of you have responded saying that you have tried kudzu to treat your cluster headache. I would like your permission to include your case as part of a case series for publication in a scientific journal.
There is unlikely to be any direct benefit to you from this (other than the entertainment value of seeing your story in print). However, there could be some indirect benefits. For example, by comparing the successful and unsuccessful treatments, it may be possible to identify what makes for a failed treatment and permit both you and other cluster headache sufferers to be more successful in the future. Furthermore, since the use of kudzu to treat cluster headache has not so far been described, it may be possible to use the case series to argue for a controlled clinical trial, which can test different doses and establish the most effective dosing regimen, which again could potentially help both you and hundreds of thousands of other cluster headache patients if kudzu proves to be effective.
What I would need from you would be two things:
1. Time. We would work together to write a case--a two- or three-paragraph story of your cluster headache and the effect that kudzu had on it. This might require a little “back-and-forth” over email.
2. A copy of your medical records. Unfortunately, scientists take a dim view of Internet surveys and such case series are unlikely to be published, since there is no way of knowing who the cases are or whether they have what they say they have. Objective evidence adds credibility, however. All I would need is something confirming your diagnosis and talking a little about what medication trials you have tried. We keep all records strictly confidential, and in fact have a Certificate of Confidentiality from the NIH that permits us to refuse a subpoena, should one be delivered to us. Do you have a fax number or snail address I could send a release of information form to that you could sign and give to your doctor?
Thanks in advance,
R. Andrew Sewell MD
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Center
Harvard Medical School/McLean Hospital
Dr Sewell's e mail addy is:
asewell@mclean.harvard.edu
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Jonny
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Re: Harvard notices kudzu
« Reply #1 on: Nov 7th, 2005, 7:25pm » |
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 ROCK-N-ROLL!!!!!
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It is up to YOU to educate yourself and then help your doctor plan your treatment. If you just sit down in front of your doctor and say "make me better" you are setting yourself up for a great deal of pain.
- Guiseppi
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Sandy_C
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Re: Harvard notices kudzu
« Reply #2 on: Nov 7th, 2005, 7:59pm » |
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WOW! Way to go Nani. The more studies of ANYTHING that might help CH is wonderful.
Thanks
Sandy
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maffumatt
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I agree
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vig
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Re: Harvard notices kudzu
« Reply #4 on: Nov 7th, 2005, 8:22pm » |
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Fantastic!!!!
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Grandma_Sweet_Boy
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Re: Harvard notices kudzu
« Reply #5 on: Nov 7th, 2005, 8:32pm » |
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You go Nani! 
Carol
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Lobster
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Re: Harvard notices kudzu
« Reply #6 on: Nov 7th, 2005, 8:37pm » |
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Schweet
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broomhilda
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Re: Harvard notices kudzu
« Reply #7 on: Nov 7th, 2005, 8:47pm » |
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Thats awesome!!!Whooo hoooooo 
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Suck it up Princess...
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nani
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Re: Harvard notices kudzu
« Reply #8 on: Nov 7th, 2005, 11:02pm » |
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Yes, this is very good news. To be clear, none of this is because of anything I've done. I'm in touch with Dr Sewell regarding other things and he noticed my kudzu use (along with others who've reported trying it).
I just think that this is a huge step...
...so please, contact him if you can.
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TxBasslady
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Re: Harvard notices kudzu
« Reply #9 on: Nov 7th, 2005, 11:05pm » |
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I'm one of the 13 selected too, Nani 
I received my release for medical records today from Dr. Sewell.
Should be interesting....I'm anxious to see how this goes.
Jean
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zanychef
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Re: Harvard notices kudzu
« Reply #10 on: Nov 8th, 2005, 3:21am » |
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plenty of time to sleep now me headaches aint too bad
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Pinkfloyd
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Re: Harvard notices kudzu
« Reply #11 on: Nov 8th, 2005, 3:34am » |
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"Nothing is so firmly believed as what we least know."
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Jasmyn
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Re: Harvard notices kudzu
« Reply #12 on: Nov 8th, 2005, 4:23am » |
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Great Stuff!!!
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Jeepgun
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Re: Harvard notices kudzu
« Reply #13 on: Nov 8th, 2005, 7:49am » |
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Ditto, Nani. I got my records-release form a couple of days ago, and I'm taking it by my GP's office when I get the chance.
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nani
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Re: Harvard notices kudzu
« Reply #14 on: Nov 8th, 2005, 2:24pm » |
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nani
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Re: Harvard notices kudzu
« Reply #15 on: Nov 10th, 2005, 9:01am » |
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on Nov 8th, 2005, 2:24pm, nani wrote:
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Jeepgun
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Re: Harvard notices kudzu
« Reply #16 on: Nov 10th, 2005, 11:34am » |
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Um... The only thing that will be annotated in my records though, is the Imitrex and the Verapamil. I've never discussed kudzu with my doctor...
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nani
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Re: Harvard notices kudzu
« Reply #17 on: Nov 10th, 2005, 12:14pm » |
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on Nov 10th, 2005, 11:34am, Jeepgun wrote:Um... The only thing that will be annotated in my records though, is the Imitrex and the Verapamil. I've never discussed kudzu with my doctor...
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That shouldn't be a problem, Frank. I haven't seen my doc since before kudzu. According to Dr Sewell, they only need something with an official diagnosis.
Has everyone who's tried kudzu contacted him yet? This could be an important step, you know. 
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LeLimey
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Re: Harvard notices kudzu
« Reply #18 on: Nov 10th, 2005, 12:34pm » |
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Nani does this have to be something where our doctors put it on record that we were trying kudzu or just confirmation of our diagnosis as ch'ers?
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nani
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Re: Harvard notices kudzu
« Reply #19 on: Nov 10th, 2005, 12:39pm » |
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Just a confirmation of a diagnosis, Helen. The reasoning is that pretty much anyone could claim to have CH and tried this since most of the survey is being done over the internet. Once a CH confirmation occurs, it becomes scientifically "acceptable" data.
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LeLimey
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Re: Harvard notices kudzu
« Reply #20 on: Nov 10th, 2005, 12:50pm » |
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okay then! thats great thanks Nani.
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Jeepgun
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Re: Harvard notices kudzu
« Reply #21 on: Nov 10th, 2005, 12:57pm » |
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Thanks, Nani. I must admit, I did feel a bit conspicuous when handing over the request for records, since it was from the drug/alcohol abuse section of Harvard, where Dr. Sewell apparently works. LOL I felt like saying to the receptionist, "Uh... It's not what you think." 
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Her: "Have you ever hit a deer?"
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nani
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Got kudzu?
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Re: Harvard notices kudzu
« Reply #22 on: Nov 10th, 2005, 1:12pm » |
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LOL, Frank. Kudzu is being (or is going to be) studied for use in addiction and alcohol treatment over at Harvard/McLean. Dr Sewell is working with MAPS and the Clusterbusters on the potential psilocybin trial. An alert member {  } here clued Dr Sewell in on the kudzu stories. He has been talking to the kudzu guy.... yada, yada, yada... and here we are!
I have always been a huge advocate of sharing everything we learn as we struggle with this. This is one of the ways it really pays off!!!
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Jeepgun
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Re: Harvard notices kudzu
« Reply #23 on: Nov 10th, 2005, 1:38pm » |
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Absolutely, Nani. Now that I think about it, he had emailed me about psilocybin, and I sent him quite a lengthy reply, detailing my experience with Verapamil and Imitrex versus my experience with kudzu. I hadn't made the connection between sending him that email and his new study on kudzu, though. I'm a bit embarrassed. LOL The credit really goes to you and Jonathan (Floridian).
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Her: "Have you ever hit a deer?"
Me: "What, like, in the FACE?"
Her: ..... "WHAT is the MATTER with you!?"
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