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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Pain vs. Suffering--research support
        
(Message started by: Bob_Johnson on Feb 7^th, 2007, 8:44am)

Title: Pain vs. Suffering--research support
Post by Bob_Johnson on Feb 7^th, 2007, 8:44am

SSRIs used to treat depression have gained a good track record but docs have been long aware of relapses when the med is stopped. Research has lead to a recommendation that the med be continued for up to 18-months after the depression has lifted because this reduces the rate ofrelapse. Parallel research revealed that this longer use of the meds allows our brain to "rewire" itself leading to better long term outcomes.

The article (available on the OUCH site) "Pain vs. Suffering" is based on cognitive therapy. These forms of counseling/psychotherapy have been strongly supported by good research. Now some evidence is appearing that these therapies act like the SSRIs to stimulate our brains to "rewire", affording protection against strong anxiety conditions. Bottom line: looks like it may be possible to alter brain functioning to build in a permanent reduction of the anxiety which besets many folks with CH. While the gods may not have made a final pronouncement yet, experience with cogntive therapy, so far, really supports its use to treat anxiety & depression. While using "pain vs. suffering" takes time, commitment, and practice, it beats endless use of benzos, etc.

"“My brain is generating another obsessive thought. Don’t I know it is just some garbage thrown up by a faulty circuit?” After 10 weeks of mindfulness- based therapy, 12 out of 18 patients improved significantly. Before-and-after brain scans showed that activity in the orbital frontal cortex, the core of the OCD circuit, had fallen dramatically and in exactly the way that drugs effective against OCD affect the brain. Schwartz called it “self-directed neuroplasticity’ concluding that “the mind can change the brain?’ (TIME, 1/29/07. Major article on the human brain.) (OCD is classified as an anxiety disorder.)

Title: Re: Pain vs. Suffering--research support
Post by starlight on Feb 7^th, 2007, 12:54pm

Yeah, that makes sense. But I feel like if I hadn't found meds/O2 I don't think anything could have reduced my anxiety about going back into cycle. With O2, I can hack it. I've been doing it for 20 years--I think around 17 year point, I reached acceptance. But it didn't come easy!!!

Title: Re: Pain vs. Suffering--research support
Post by birdman on Feb 7^th, 2007, 1:00pm

I have taken paxil (SSRI) three different times over a nine year span. This third time is recent and plan on staying on it for quite some time. I noticed that the previous two periods, my ch's were signifigantly less frequent and less severe. If it helps both my anxiety attacks and ch's then I'll take it for life.

Title: Re: Pain vs. Suffering--research support
Post by Bob_Johnson on Feb 7^th, 2007, 4:20pm

Don't confuse this report with the sometimes use of SSRIs to abort/prevent CH. This applies only to anxiety.

Title: Re: Pain vs. Suffering--research support
Post by birdman on Feb 7^th, 2007, 7:14pm

Understood, I was just pointing out the results I had, as I suffer from both. Hopefully it can help aide both.