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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Weird question
        
(Message started by: Callico on Jun 21^st, 2007, 2:54am)

Title: Weird question
Post by Callico on Jun 21^st, 2007, 2:54am

I hope Bob P or one of you others who have done more research than I can shed a little light on this for me.

Is there any correlation between CH and the autoimmune system? I know that psoriasis is caused by an autoimmune defect. My wife and I have recently noticed that about two days before my CH would cycle higher (I'm chronic) my psoriasis would flare up. I know this sounds weird, but I haven't found anything relating the two other than what we have noticed, and don't have the time or energy to put into it right now.

Feel free to have a good laugh at my expense if there is nothing. [smiley=laugh.gif] I could use one right now myself!

Jerry

Title: Re: Weird question
Post by LeeS on Jun 21^st, 2007, 9:42am

Hi Jerry

IMHO, there probably is a connection. Flo used to go on about it quite a bit (and we discussed psoriasis quite a bit too as he also suffers from it).

Accordingly, this may be a good starting point, and check out the links too:

http://www.med-owl.com/clusterheadaches/tiki-index.php?page=Neuroimmune+Hypothesis

All the best with it.

-Lee

Title: Re: Weird question
Post by pattik on Jun 21^st, 2007, 10:08am

Hi Jerry. I'm of the same opinion as Lee. I've long suspected that there is a connection. If the hypothalamus can affect our CH, why not other conditions? People have posted here wondering about other autoimmune conditions relating to CH, including Raynaud's syndrome, which I've personally experienced. I found one article from 1995 suggesting that
neuropeptides may be involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2230.1995.tb01354.x

The same neuropeptides are envolved with CH.
Even though there aren't many studies to be found connecting CH with autoimmune conditions, maybe it's just because no one is trying to find out. On the other hand, I hope I'm not just trying to blame every little chronic problem on my CH. ;)

Pat

Title: Re: Weird question
Post by Brewcrew on Jun 21^st, 2007, 10:38am

Jerry,

If I was a betting man, I'd say there's more than likely some kind of connection. I also suffer from hidradenitis supperativa, which is thought to be based in auto immune deficiency.

Let's just say I'd be more surprised to find out that Michael Jackson was attracted to adult women.

Title: Re: Weird question
Post by Rosybabe on Jun 21^st, 2007, 1:18pm

Hi Jerry, I do think there is a relation ... I had a shingle while in cycle and another year I developed exantema subito...mmm, who knows with this thing?

Title: Re: Weird question
Post by Bob P on Jun 21^st, 2007, 2:08pm

I've had CH for 36 years but my feet only started to sweat a few months ago. Go figure.

I've not read anything on a connection but one sure has to wonder why CH comes and goes like a herpes outbreak.

Title: Re: Weird question
Post by Paul98 on Jun 21^st, 2007, 3:19pm

Interesting thought...

I know that patients with CH have a higher probability of getting MS and that is an autoimmune disease.

Of course living with CH is stressful and stress can cause the immune system to go haywire. I guess it would become a chicken or egg question.

-P.

Title: Re: Weird question
Post by Callico on Jun 22^nd, 2007, 1:17am

Thanks for the feedback. I was starting to wonder if I was just imagining it, but it seemed to regular.

Hope you all get some PF time.

Jerry

Title: Re: Weird question
Post by Jeff2 on Jun 27^th, 2007, 2:29pm

It's funny that you should mention MS, Paul. I have one sister with MS and another with the beginning symptoms of MS. She has finally screwed up her courage and is going next week to see a specialist. And on the whole my family seems to suffer from auto-immune systems that are too aggressive.

This is the first I've heard about this connection. Looks like I have some searching to do. Thanks for the info.

And Jerry, thanks for the initial question.

Title: Re: Weird question
Post by starlight on Jun 30^th, 2007, 9:59pm

Hmmm...interesting discussion.
I have a thought to offer. Perhaps the CH occurs as a result of the body trying to fight off one of these other ailments such as psoriasis. And YES, oh Christ yes, I realize not everyone with CH has psoriasis, but this discussion resonated with me as I have had a cyst on my head very near to where the CH headaches are behind my eye and that area. It is right on my hairline directly above the left eye where my headaches are. I have had it there since I was 10. I am finally soon going to have it removed! Yeah! But I wondered, could my body be trying to fight it off with the headaches--does my body see it as a "foreign" invader so to speak like a tumor or something (although I know a benign cyst is different than a tumor)?
I like this theory about the immune system--it is interesting.