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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Inherited CH's
        
(Message started by: The Image on Nov 19^th, 2006, 7:31am)

Title: Inherited CH's
Post by The Image on Nov 19^th, 2006, 7:31am

My dad used to get CH's. I remember as a kid feeling so sorry for him. Now I get them but his were on the right but mine are on the left. Anyone else inherited them?

My doctor says CH's aren't inherited and that my Dad and me having them is pure coincidence.

Title: Re: Inherited CH's
Post by LeLimey on Nov 19^th, 2006, 7:38am

There is a study going on at Leicester University by Prof Trembath into CH and a genetic link.
I've given blood for it as has my son who was 3 when diagnosed (now 5)
I know many many people with CH in their families and early results are indicating commonalities in DNA so while nothing is conclusive yet you'd have a hard time convincing me it isn't hereditary.
Helen

Title: Re: Inherited CH's
Post by chewy on Nov 19^th, 2006, 8:24am

My bloodline must go back to Satan.

Title: Re: Inherited CH's
Post by Bob_Johnson on Nov 19^th, 2006, 8:49am

Lancet Neurol. 2004 May;3(5):279-83.

Epidemiology and genetics of cluster headache.

Russell MB.

Department of Neurology, Akershus University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. m.b.russell@klinmed.uio.no

Cluster headache, the most severe primary headache, is characterised by unilateral pain, ipsilateral autonomic features, and, in many cases, restlessness. Recent epidemiological studies indicate that the prevalence of cluster headache is about one person per 500. Genetic epidemiological surveys indicate that first-degree relatives are five to 18 times-and second-degree relatives, one to three times-more likely to have cluster headache than the general population. Inheritance is likely to be autosomal dominant with low penetrance in some families, although there may also be autosomal recessive or multifactorial inheritance in others. To date, no molecular genetic clues have been identified for cluster headache. Identification of genes for cluster headache is likely to be difficult because most families reported have few affected members and genetic heterogeneity is likely. Future focus should be on ion channel genes and clock genes. This review summarises the epidemiology and genetics of cluster headache.

Publication Types:
Review

PMID: 15099542 [PubMed]
==================================
Neurology. 2001 May 8;56(9):1233-6.

Increased familial risk of cluster headache.

Leone M, Russell MB, Rigamonti A, Attanasio A, Grazzi L, D'Amico D, Usai S, Bussone G.

Carlo Besta National Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy.

The authors studied the occurrence of cluster headache in the families of 220 Italian patients with cluster headache. A positive family history was found in 20% (44/220) of the families. Compared with the general population, first-degree relatives had a 39-fold significantly increased risk of cluster headache. Second-degree relatives had an eightfold significantly increased risk. The increased familial risk strongly supports the hypothesis that cluster headache has a genetic component in some families.

PMID: 11342697 [PubMed]

Title: Re: Inherited CH's
Post by clusterwife on Nov 19^th, 2006, 9:32am

I think the precursors are there, not the disease of clusterheadaches. I hope it isn't inheirited, hate to pass it on to the next generation if I could help it. I know that everyone in his family has anxiety issues.

Title: Re: Inherited CH's
Post by The Image on Nov 19^th, 2006, 10:31am

Appearance may answer that for you. My sister looks like my mum and she doesn't have CH's. I look like my Dad and I do. But I still wouldn't over worry even if appearance suggests CH may come as the info on this forum shows how fast things are developing.

When my poor Dad had Ch when I was a kid, there wasn't even the word Cluster headache. It was diagnosed as migraine and he was given DF118 painkillers and the doctors all thought he was a bit whmpish about his migraines. I certainly feel better off than him with all this knowledge. My daughter looks like me and I think she'll possibly get them but that'll be about 20 years from now and I'm sure there'll be far better medication then if not a cure.

To show how fast things progress, it's a year since I was on this forum and all this new stuff about power drinks and caffeine!!! Fast progress that. I also recall asking about oxygen and discovering only Americans had it but now I find we have it in the UK.

Things are progressing, and your children will be better served by the medical proffesion by the time it's their turn. Worry about yourself here and now.

Title: Re: Inherited CH's
Post by Giovanni on Nov 19^th, 2006, 12:15pm

My daughter was telling some relatives in Italy about my headaches and they said, "Oh, a of the men in this family have "severe headaches".

I don't know if they were referring to CH or not? Would be interesting to find out.

John

Title: Re: Inherited CH's
Post by taraann on Nov 20^th, 2006, 3:55pm

My maternal grandpa had "histamine Headaches" (old time name for CH)

My mom had terrible migraines but was hospitalized for severe stabbing headaches that were worse than her migraines.....in retrospect I believe she had migraines AND episodic CH (but she has passed on so I can't discuss it with her)

My sister's both get migraines.....

Title: Re: Inherited CH's
Post by The Image on Nov 20^th, 2006, 4:53pm

One plus sign of the hereditary thing is that my Dads CH's stopped when he was about 50 so maybe with luck mine will too (I'm 44 at the moment). When I first got them I had 9's and 10's every day and night for 2 weeks. Now I get mostly shadows and 3's and 4's with only about one 9 or 10 a week so it looks like it may be subsiding slowly. I live and hope!

Title: Re: Inherited CH's
Post by taraann on Nov 20^th, 2006, 5:13pm

on 11/20/06 at 16:53:56, The Image wrote:

Yesssss.........my grandpa's stopped in his50-60's...if I remember correctley. Regardless the hope is in the fact that they STOPPED ;;D

Title: Re: Inherited CH's
Post by The Image on Nov 20^th, 2006, 5:33pm

The very fact that they 'can' stop gives overwhelming hope!

Title: Re: Inherited CH's
Post by LeLimey on Nov 20^th, 2006, 6:02pm

on 11/19/06 at 10:31:19, The Image wrote:

Things are progressing, and your children will be better served by the medical proffesion by the time it's their turn. Worry about yourself here and now.

I wish I had that luxury.

Title: Re: Inherited CH's
Post by taraann on Nov 20^th, 2006, 6:13pm

Helen,
My heart truly bleeds for you and your spot as a mom with ch and a child with ch. I can't imagine one of my kids getting this horrid affliction. I have such great admiration/sorrow (sorrow that is NOT the right word but I am so shot that I can't come up with the word I am looking for no matter how long I sit here and try to think) for you and anyone with a child with CH my heart just bleeds....... DAMN what was my point??!! ::) Just I know it offers little peace to us aduts that it may/(probably hopefully) will end someday, to the little ones....doesn't seem much consolation at all really, but if it is true...it is SOME consolation, no matter how little it seems in the here and now