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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Glucosimine & CH
        
(Message started by: Sandy_C on Jun 23^rd, 2005, 8:42am)

Title: Glucosimine & CH
Post by Sandy_C on Jun 23^rd, 2005, 8:42am

I finished an 8 week cycle at the end of April and was pain free for a month. In addition to the lovely CH cycles, I also suffer from arthritis in my knees - have already replaced one knee, and the other one is going. I was taking MSM which helped with the knee pain somewhat, when at the end of May, I ran across something called "Joint Juice", which is Glucosimine (sp?) mixed with fruit juice. I drink one small can each day with lunch, and have experienced greater pain relief with my arthritis. However, I have also been experiencing another CH cycle - this time on the left side of my head (always have been a rightie). This is very unusual for me so I'm wondering if anyone has read/heard of anything about Glucosimine accelerating CH.

Any info would be helpful.

Thanks

Sandy

Title: Re: Glucosimine & CH
Post by burnt-toast on Jun 23^rd, 2005, 4:16pm

Sandy_C

I haven't found Non-Manufacturer literature but the best I can determine Glucosimine may contain sulfides. There are some reports that sulfides can trigger CHs and other headaches. It appears that there are several varieties of this suppliment with some having more sulfides than others. You may want to research the various options that are available.

I know sulfides are not a trigger in my particular case but your situation can be entirely different.

I hope that I've given you a little help. Good luck finding the right balance for both conditions.

Tom

Title: Re: Glucosimine & CH
Post by floridian on Jun 24^th, 2005, 9:53am

Not sure about the sulfite theory - glucosamine is often in the sulfate form, but that is rather different.

Some preliminary indications that glucosamine may help prevent migraines - which may or may not carry over to clusters.

Quote:

Med Hypotheses. 2000 Sep;55(3):195-8.

Glucosamine for migraine prophylaxis?

Russell AL, McCarty MF. Brampton Pain Clinic, Bramalea, Ontario, Canada.

Following a fortuitous observation that migraine headaches ceased in a patient receiving glucosamine therapy for osteoarthritis, a further ten patients with migraine or migraine-like vascular headaches, refractory to established preventive or abortive therapies, have been treated with daily oral glucosamine. After a lag of 4-6 weeks, a substantial reduction in headache frequency and/or intensity has been noted; in some cases, the benefit appears to be dose-dependent. Since glucosamine can be a rate-limiting precursor for mucopolysaccharide synthesis, it is germane to note previous reports that heparin and pentosan polysulfate may have migraine-preventive activity. There is reason to suspect that mast cells are central mediators of the neurogenic inflammation associated with migraine and cluster headaches. The heparin produced by mast cells may function to provide feedback down-regulation of mast cell activation, and exerts a range of other anti-inflammatory effects. We postulate that supplemental glucosamine can boost mast cell heparin synthesis - perhaps correcting a functional heparin deficiency - thereby preventing or ameliorating the neurogenic inflammation that mediates pain in vascular headache. Whether or not this idea has validity, a controlled study of glucosamine for migraine prophylaxis appears to be warranted.

Title: Re: Glucosimine & CH
Post by Sandy_C on Jun 24^th, 2005, 2:04pm

Thanks for the info guys. I'll start doing a little research into this and see if I can't figure out why I'm having a second cycle so soon.

Sandy

Title: Re: Glucosimine & CH
Post by Jasen on Jun 25^th, 2005, 4:33pm

I take Glucosimine/ Chondroitian tablets. Cheaper then some of that joint aid stuff and far cheaper if you get it at someplace like Castco or Sams club .I pay $20 for 250 tablets.

I told my Neuro I took it and she said no problem.
As far as it starting new cycle I can't say, I'm still in mine.