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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 General Board Posts >> Harvard notices kudzu
        
(Message started by: nani on Nov 7^th, 2005, 7:22pm)

Title: Harvard notices kudzu
Post by nani on Nov 7^th, 2005, 7:22pm

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

Title: Re: Harvard notices kudzu
Post by Jonny on Nov 7^th, 2005, 7:25pm

[smiley=headbanger.gif] ROCK-N-ROLL!!!!!

Title: Re: Harvard notices kudzu
Post by Sandy_C on Nov 7^th, 2005, 7:59pm

WOW! Way to go Nani. The more studies of ANYTHING that might help CH is wonderful.

Thanks

Sandy

Title: Re: Harvard notices kudzu
Post by maffumatt on Nov 7^th, 2005, 8:07pm

I agree

Title: Re: Harvard notices kudzu
Post by vig on Nov 7^th, 2005, 8:22pm

Fantastic!!!!

Title: Re: Harvard notices kudzu
Post by Grandma_Sweet_Boy on Nov 7^th, 2005, 8:32pm

You go Nani! :)

Carol

Title: Re: Harvard notices kudzu
Post by Rock_Lobster on Nov 7^th, 2005, 8:37pm

Schweet

Title: Re: Harvard notices kudzu
Post by broomhilda on Nov 7^th, 2005, 8:47pm

Thats awesome!!!Whooo hoooooo [smiley=thumb.gif]

Title: Re: Harvard notices kudzu
Post by nani on Nov 7^th, 2005, 11:02pm

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.
:)

Title: Re: Harvard notices kudzu
Post by TxBasslady on Nov 7^th, 2005, 11:05pm

I'm one of the 13 selected too, Nani ;;D

I received my release for medical records today from Dr. Sewell.

Should be interesting....I'm anxious to see how this goes.

Jean

Title: Re: Harvard notices kudzu
Post by zanychef on Nov 8^th, 2005, 3:21am

[smiley=headbanger.gif]

Title: Re: Harvard notices kudzu
Post by Pinkfloyd on Nov 8^th, 2005, 3:34am

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b392/psiloscribe/boogie.gif

Title: Re: Harvard notices kudzu
Post by Jasmyn on Nov 8^th, 2005, 4:23am

Great Stuff!!! [smiley=thumb.gif]

Title: Re: Harvard notices kudzu
Post by Jeepgun on Nov 8^th, 2005, 7:49am

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. :)

Title: Re: Harvard notices kudzu
Post by nani on Nov 8^th, 2005, 2:24pm

http://bestsmileys.com/bumping/3.gif

Title: Re: Harvard notices kudzu
Post by nani on Nov 10^th, 2005, 9:01am

on 11/08/05 at 14:24:40, nani wrote:

http://bestsmileys.com/bumping/3.gif

Title: Re: Harvard notices kudzu
Post by Jeepgun on Nov 10^th, 2005, 11:34am

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...

Title: Re: Harvard notices kudzu
Post by nani on Nov 10^th, 2005, 12:14pm

on 11/10/05 at 11:34:46, 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...

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. ::)

Title: Re: Harvard notices kudzu
Post by LeLimey on Nov 10^th, 2005, 12:34pm

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?

Title: Re: Harvard notices kudzu
Post by nani on Nov 10^th, 2005, 12:39pm

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.

Title: Re: Harvard notices kudzu
Post by LeLimey on Nov 10^th, 2005, 12:50pm

okay then! thats great thanks Nani.

Title: Re: Harvard notices kudzu
Post by Jeepgun on Nov 10^th, 2005, 12:57pm

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." [smiley=laugh.gif]

Title: Re: Harvard notices kudzu
Post by nani on Nov 10^th, 2005, 1:12pm

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!!!

Title: Re: Harvard notices kudzu
Post by Jeepgun on Nov 10^th, 2005, 1:38pm

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 [smiley=laugh.gif] The credit really goes to you and Jonathan (Floridian).