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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> antidepressants
        
(Message started by: cat1955 on Jun 9^th, 2007, 1:17pm)

Title: antidepressants
Post by cat1955 on Jun 9^th, 2007, 1:17pm

New here and wondering if anyone has had similar experiences. I have suffered with chronic CH's for 30 yrs with the last cycle of headaches lasting 10yrs and resulting in 2 brain surgeries for aneurysm clippings.The first surgery was for a subarachnoid hemorhage that was a grade 1 minimal bleed. Since doing my research, I am finding that this is probably from histamine release or maybe because I was taking a SSRI for depression that increased my serotonin levels. One month after stopping prozac my headaches had almost disappeared and I can count the number of headaches in one year on one hand instead of the number of headaches in a week on 2 hands. Has anyone else had a similar experience? I have a Dr now who is telling me that Prozac may help my headaches....

Title: Re: antidepressants
Post by UN solved on Jun 9^th, 2007, 3:56pm

I've never heard of histamine release being a cause for an aneurysm, but it doesn't sound out of the question either. I'm going to ask Dr. Diamond and my local neuro if this could happen ( since I do histamine desensitization treatments often ).

You said that soon after stopping the medication Prozac, your headaches almost disappeared. If it were me, nobody could convince me to take it again, ever. ( But that's me ). I'd be afraid of re-awakening the beast. Did you tell the new doc that the headaches stopped after quitting Prozac ?

" If it aint broke, don't fix it ! "

Goodluck

UNsolved

Title: Re: antidepressants
Post by cat1955 on Jun 9^th, 2007, 4:54pm

This new doc thinks that prozac is a tricyclic antidepressant. I am a registered nurse so I know my meds and know that it is an SSRI which makes seratonin more available to neuro receptors. I think that they believe the release of seratonin to possibly be one of the causes of these headaches. I took Elavil for a few years which is a great drug for nerve pain and is a tricyclic but i could not deal with the dry mouth at the large doses my neurologist put me on. I seem to be ok now with just verapamil, clonidineand Topamax. I have not been able to find a dr who is willing or able to take the time to research cluster headaches because I have obviously been getting the wrong treatment. I read that the release of histamine makes your cranial vessels swell and become more permeable...meaning they could leak slightly under the right conditions. I wish I had the answers because I certainly can't find anyone who does. When I had my first surgery and asked the neurosurgeon why it happened he said it was just bad luck and I had no greater chance of it happening again than anyone else. Well, 1 1/2 yrs later, I asked him the same question again but his answer was "I don't know". If anyone knows of any competant Drs in the Las Vegas area, please let me know..

Title: Re: antidepressants
Post by Bob_Johnson on Jun 10^th, 2007, 9:25am

Finding a good doc is the essential first step:

1. Search the OUCH site (button on left) for a list of recommended M.D.s.

2. Yellow Pages phone book: look for "Headache Clinics" in the M.D. section and look under "neurologist" where some docs will list speciality areas of practice.

3. Call your hospital/medical center. They often have an office to assist in finding a physician. You may have to ask for the social worker/patient advocate.

4. http://www.achenet.org/physicians/ On-line screen to find a physician.

5. http://www.headaches.org/consumer/index.html Call 1-800-643-5552; they will send a list of M.D.s for your state.I suggest using this source for several reasons: first, we have read several messages from people who, even seeing neurologists, are unhappy with the quality of care and ATTITUDES they have encountered; second, the clinical director of the Jefferson (Philadelphia) Headache Clinic said, in late 1999, that upwards of 40%+ of U.S. doctors have poor training in treating headache and/or hold attitudes about headache ("hysterical female disorder") which block them from sympathetic and effective work with the patient; third, it's necessary to find a doctor who has experience, skill, and a set of attitudes which give hope of success. This is the best method I know of to find such a physician.
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Also look over this information before you visit a doc. It will give you some ideas to guide your discussion.

http://www.headachedrugs.com/pdf/ha2006.pdf Dr. Robbins site. Then explore the entire site by deleting everything following. com/ and then hit enter.
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Here is a link to read and print and take to your doctor. It describes preventive, transitional, abortive and surgical treatments for CH. Written by one of the better headache docs in the U.S. (2002)

http://www.brightok.net/~mnjday/chtherapy.pdf

Title: Re: antidepressants
Post by EstieSA on Jun 12^th, 2007, 4:46pm

on 06/09/07 at 13:17:13, cat1955 wrote:

New here and wondering if anyone has had similar experiences. I have suffered with chronic CH's ....

Hi

I'm chronic as well and after starting 90mg Cymbalta (previously used Paxil) once daily , I had 38 blissfull pf days before the beast returned.

I lately average k5-6 , which is far from the k8-9 in the past!

Coincidence ? [smiley=huh.gif]