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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2003 >> SSRI's and CH
        
(Message started by: DPWeston on Feb 7^th, 2003, 8:27am)

Title: SSRI's and CH
Post by DPWeston on Feb 7^th, 2003, 8:27am

I'm one of the fortunate who have long periods between episodes. Due to work/life pressures, my doc wants to put me on an SSRI for depression but I'm scared to death it will start an episode. Can anyone please give me non-technical advice about SSRI's and the likelihood of them effecting CH? When I read the technically oriented stuff on serotonin I can't tell if more is good or less is good and what SSRI's do. Please, just layman's language on the topic. Thanks Very Much.

Title: Re: SSRI's and CH
Post by Karla on Feb 7^th, 2003, 9:14am

By me going on antidepressents it didn't effect my ch either way. However, some people have taken antidepressents such as paxil and celexa and had it act as a preventative and were able to have less headaches as a result. That sounds great to me! I would try it you have nothing to loose and everything to possibly gain. Not to mention it will help with the depression. Good luck!

Title: Re: SSRI's and CH
Post by Bob P on Feb 7^th, 2003, 9:25am

Serotonin (5HT) made easy:
When nerve 1 wants to send a message to nerve 2, nerve 1 squirts some 5HT accross the space between the two. The 5HT is latched onto by nerve 2 and the signal is triggered.

After the signal is sent, nerve 2 lets go fo the 5HT. Some drifts off into nothingness, but some is taken back by nerve 1 to be used again.

An SSRI stops nerve 1 from taking back the 5HT (reuptake). This makes the 5HT stay in the space between the two nerves and available to be latched onto again by nerve 2.

So an SSRI doesn't necessarily increas the amount of 5HT you have but it does increse the amount available in the space (synapse) between the nerves.

Is it good or bad? Don't know. Now imitrex acts like 5HT (5HT agonist) and is latched onto by nerves triggereing the signal that 5HT would normally trigger. So one would think that more is good. But, this article http://www.clusterheadaches.org/library/general/trigeminal1.htm talks about imitrex effecting the levels of other neuropeptides so 5HT may not be the key. Imitrex's effect on other things may be more important.

So, to answer your question, beats me.

Title: Re: SSRI's and CH
Post by eyes_afire on Feb 7^th, 2003, 5:42pm

Paxil, zoloft, and serzone had no effect on my CH either way. But, on the otherhand stuff like Paxil can cause some unexpected problems. I'm speaking from personal experience. Be careful with Paxil (I'm not the only one who had a hellish experience).

http://www.petitiononline.com/oky71/

It won't happen to everyone, but that is the worst month-long withdrawl I could ever imagine.

Title: Re: SSRI's and CH
Post by forgetfulnot on Feb 7^th, 2003, 7:24pm

Just went through several months of checking out SSRI's
I am chronic, managed with lithium, verapamil, O2 and Imetrex. In each case three SSRI's caused an increase in cluster headache within 3-5 days of begining treatment. I even reverted back to the old standby Wellbutrin, same deal. I guess I'll just stay depressed and avoid the additional problems with C/H.

Lee

Title: Re: SSRI's and CH
Post by ComputerGeek on Feb 9^th, 2003, 1:30am

I asked my neuro about going on an SSRI and he said stay with what is working.

Pat