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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2005 >> web information
        
(Message started by: maffumatt on May 7^th, 2005, 1:13pm)

Title: web information
Post by maffumatt on May 7^th, 2005, 1:13pm

http://www.mercydesmoines.org/ADAM/WellConnected/articles/000099.asp

This site has the most complete information about CH I have found.

Title: Re: web information
Post by floridian on May 7^th, 2005, 2:47pm

It seems like a lot of work went into compiling the article and it is good overall, although I find a few points of disagreement:

Quote:

Melatonin. Small preliminary reports indicate that melatonin, a brain hormone that helps to regulate the sleep-wake cycle, may help prevent episodic or chronic cluster headaches. Melatonin supplements are sold in health food stories, but as with most natural remedies, the quality of different preparations varies, and they have not been rigorously tested for safety or effectiveness. Hormones such as melatonin are powerful substances, and additional studies are needed.

I consider melatonin to be a proven therapy with a low risk profile.

Also, no mention of magnesium or B-vitamins anywhere in the article, although they did mention glucosamine, which they mention as a migraine therapy that may help with clusters. (?!) No mention of clusterbusters or kudzu.

Methysergide is discussed in a fair amount of detail, but no mention of the fact that it has been unavailable in the US for years.

Apnea is suggested as a possible factor for people who "suffer from daytime sleepiness" ... given the fact that between 50% and 80% of clusterheads suffer from apnea, I would say their approach is too limited. They mention CPAP as the treatment for apnea, although CPAP is for obstructive (physical/mechanical) apnea, and it appears that clusterheads stop breathing due to neurological factors (central apnea).

Title: Re: web information
Post by forgetfulnot on May 7^th, 2005, 3:56pm

Quote:

a headache that typically lasts about an hour

I wish.

Lee

Title: Re: web information
Post by sandie99 on May 8^th, 2005, 4:48am

There were lots of info. Thanks for sharing that address! :)