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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2002 >> Melatonin?  Maybe not.
        
(Message started by: Bob P on Oct 25^th, 2002, 9:36am)

Title: Melatonin? Maybe not.
Post by Bob P on Oct 25^th, 2002, 9:36am

Melatonin as Adjunctive Therapy in the Prophylaxis of Cluster Headache: A Pilot Study
Tamara Pringsheim, MD; Eric Magnoux, MD; Colin F. Dobson, BSc; Edith Hamel, PhD; Michel Aubé, MD

Background.The periodicity of cluster headache suggests involvement of the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus, the biological clock. The secretion of melatonin, a hormone produced by the pineal gland and regulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus, is altered in patients with cluster headache. Melatonin shifts circadian rhythms. A previous study of melatonin for primary prophylaxis of cluster headache demonstrated a 50% response rate.

Objective.To evaluate the use of melatonin as adjunctive therapy in patients with cluster headache who have incomplete relief of their headaches on conventional therapy.

Methods.Nine patients participated in the study, six with chronic cluster headache and three with episodic cluster headache. Patients with chronic cluster headache completed a baseline diary for 1 month, followed by 1 month of melatonin treatment, then 1 month of placebo. Patients with episodic cluster headache received placebo for 1 month, then melatonin for 1 month. Patients continued their usual prophylactic and abortive treatments during the study. Headache frequency, intensity, and use of analgesics were recorded. The primary endpoint of the study was the mean number of headaches per day, with mean daily analgesic consumption and percentage of mild, moderate, and severe headaches as secondary endpoints.

Results.There were no significant differences between means on analysis of variance and t testing for the melatonin, placebo, and baseline months for all primary and secondary endpoints. There were no side effects reported.

Conclusions.Patients with chronic cluster headache or patients with episodic cluster headache whose headaches are uncontrolled on conventional therapy do not appear to gain therapeutically from the addition of melatonin to their usual treatment regimens. It is perhaps the phase-shifting properties of melatonin that mediate its effect in patients with episodic cluster headache, and it may be necessary to treat from the beginning of the cluster bout to reset the circadian pacemaker, thus producing a more positive outcome.

Title: Re: Melatonin? Maybe not.
Post by rick on Oct 25^th, 2002, 11:07am

Thanks Bob, quite interesting. I wonder if there would be any significant benefits for a sufferer who detoxed from all meds and then attempted to use melatonin?

Anyone out there try this?

Peace,

-R

Title: Re: Melatonin? Maybe not.
Post by Linda_Howell on Oct 25^th, 2002, 1:07pm

I did Rick. After Doug Wrights presentation at the convention, I did it for 7 days. The only "med" I was on was 02

It unfortunetly did nothing for reducing the severity or number of attacks I got. I believe he told us to use the Melatonin for 5 to 7 days, so I did it for 7, but after reading Bob's post, maybe I should have used it for a month. Hmmm Linda Howell

Title: Re: Melatonin? Maybe not.
Post by Margi on Oct 25^th, 2002, 1:42pm

You did Rick?

Luinda!!!! :o

Title: Re: Melatonin? Maybe not.
Post by dougW on Oct 25^th, 2002, 8:18pm

Bob: I reviewed this abstract also today. If anyone can find the full article before I order it (pay for it !) please send me the link.

A very interesting study group, only 9 patients, 6 chronic.
The most notable comment is in the conclusion.." Patients with chronic cluster headache or patients with episodic cluster headache whose headaches are uncontrolled on conventional therapy do not appear to gain therapeutically from the addition of melatonin to their usual treatment regimens.

This is a group that already doesn't respond to any treatment, they are un-controlled. There are those that simply don't respond to anything.

Further on they note.."it MAY be necessary to treat from the beginning of the cluster bout to reset the circadian pacemaker, thus producing a more positive outcome." I would agree, based on my own experience, one month into a cycle is a poor time to start a clinical study. Base line is good, early treatment is better.

What we don't know, and maybe the full study will explain, any secondary and concurrent conditions (if any) of these people.

Also, lets be careful with "significant differences between means on analysis of variance and t testing" Remember that clinical based evidence does not necessarliry equal patient response or improvement.

They only positive note of their study was "There were no side effects reported."

I'm certain the full report will conclude with...further study is needed in this area!

Regards
Doug Wright

Title: Re: Melatonin? Maybe not.
Post by Linda_Howell on Oct 25^th, 2002, 9:27pm

Hmmm. I don't even know Rick, Margo
But I suppose that being "uncontrolled " may have something to do with that tendency.

Shaking my head here......Luinda

Title: Re: Melatonin? Maybe not.
Post by Margi on Oct 25^th, 2002, 9:29pm

LOL you kill me, Luinda :)

love,
Marig

Title: Re: Melatonin? Maybe not.
Post by BobG on Oct 25^th, 2002, 9:52pm

Just for the heck of it I went looking for the melatonin article. Didn't find it but did find that melatonin must be one of the most over studied chemical ever..............and the most boring.

Want to sleep well tonight?

Click this:

The Definitive Melatonin Reference Page
http://www.aeiveos.com/diet/melatonin/mlref/

If that doesn't put you to sleep, click this:

Melatonin Information and References
http://www.aeiveos.com/diet/melatonin/

Have a peaceful night............I'm going to Vegas!

Title: Re: Melatonin? Maybe not.
Post by dougW on Oct 25^th, 2002, 10:38pm

Or, you could try this link at Pub Med, abstracts only:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?CMD=&DB=PubMed

at the search box type ....

+melatonin +cluster headaches

or try...

+leone +cluster headaches

You'll be up late reading most of the night.

(sorry... I couldn't figure ou a better way to link to it!)

Doug Wright

Title: Re: Melatonin? Maybe not.
Post by Mark C on Oct 26^th, 2002, 2:38am

I used to take Melatonin.
It made me sleepy, then CH would wake me up and I would hurt and be sleepy.
Mark

Title: Re: Melatonin? Maybe not.
Post by David Shea on Nov 3^rd, 2002, 6:59pm

I have used melatonin for a long time, to minamise
jet lag. I went along time with out a cycle 6yrs. But,
I'm again in cycle.
No help I know, Just wanted to mention it.
David