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        New Message Board Archives >> Jul-Sep 2003 >> Will be Meeting With Dr. Dodick in Rome
        
(Message started by: don on Jul 15^th, 2003, 1:35pm)

Title: Will be Meeting With Dr. Dodick in Rome
Post by don on Jul 15^th, 2003, 1:35pm

Dear Mr Young,
The experience with this technique thus far is very limited. I have treated two patients with cluster headache and a few of my colleagues have each treated 1 patient I believe. I plan to treat several more over the next few months as interest has been quite high and as you well know, there are many desperate patients.
From my preliminary but limited experience, I believe this is a treatment worth pursuing in other patients. However, whether this will turn out to be of long-term benefit to patients with chronic cluster headache is still unknown. The major issue I am struggling with currently is how we define as a successful outcome. My expectations as a treating physician are quite high, especially given the fact that this is an invasive procedure (albeit very small risk) and expensive. However, even a 50% improvement to a patient with refractory cluster headache may be of enormous benefit to him/her, and justifies the risk and cost from the patient's perspective.
In short, I am cautiously optimistic but remain to be convinced on the long-term benefit of this procedure.
Thank you for your interest. I look forward to meeting you in Rome and would be happy to discuss this issue further with you.
Sincerely,
David W. Dodick M.D.
Department of Neurology
Mayo Clinic
Scottdale Arizona

Title: Re: Will be Meeting With Dr. Dodick in Rome
Post by Ted on Jul 15^th, 2003, 1:42pm

While there can you ask him why neither he nor his staff returned any of my 3 phone calls concerning being a guinea pig for studies or just having it done?

Title: Re: Will be Meeting With Dr. Dodick in Rome
Post by don on Jul 15^th, 2003, 2:19pm

I will do better than that. I will offer you up to science personally when I meet with him.

That was for the gender switch operation right?

Title: Re: Will be Meeting With Dr. Dodick in Rome
Post by Peppermint on Jul 15^th, 2003, 2:24pm

Don,
Thanks for posting that letter. My friend has been in touch with Dr. Dodick via snail mail, and when he mentioned only the 2 successes with the surgery, and since he mentioned migraines, it was vague as to whom the surgery actually benefitted. In talking about migraines, it just became more confusing. He said he knew of no successes with chronic clusters in regards to the surgery (ONSI) and doesn't mention that either in the letter you posted. Is he saying that the patients treated were episodic?
I wonder how it compares to the radio static (i think that's what its called) surgery that the Italians were having such great successes with - and the post-surgery effects.
???

Title: Re: Will be Meeting With Dr. Dodick in Rome
Post by Ted on Jul 15^th, 2003, 2:30pm

on 07/15/03 at 14:19:50, don wrote:

I will do better than that. I will offer you up to science personally when I meet with him.

That was for the gender switch operation right?

Why do I have a feeling I'm going to end up as a hermaphrodite dog?

Title: Re: Will be Meeting With Dr. Dodick in Rome
Post by don on Jul 15^th, 2003, 8:21pm

With bug eyes and corns on yer foots.

Theres always the carnival life Ted.

Quote:

He said he knew of no successes with chronic clusters in regards to the surgery (ONSI)

What he is saying is there has not been enough time to determine if there are any long term benefits to either chronic or episodic.

Title: Re: Will be Meeting With Dr. Dodick in Rome
Post by cootie on Jul 15^th, 2003, 10:28pm

Hermaphrodite-tee Ted....sounds like one of Ceasar's crew. ;D Pam that does what the Roman's do when in Rome ;)

Title: Re: Will be Meeting With Dr. Dodick in Rome
Post by forgetfulnot on Jul 15^th, 2003, 11:25pm

I believe this is a treatment worth pursuing in other patients. However, whether this will turn out to be of long-term benefit to patients with chronic cluster headache is still unknown. The major issue I am struggling with currently is how we define as a successful outcome. My expectations as a treating physician are quite high, especially given the fact that this is an invasive procedure (albeit very small risk) and expensive. However, even a 50% improvement to a patient with refractory cluster headache may be of enormous benefit to him/her, and justifies the risk and cost from the patient's perspective.
In short, I am cautiously optimistic but remain to be convinced on the long-term benefit of this procedure.

Keep the heat on Don. Tks Lee

Title: Re: Will be Meeting With Dr. Dodick in Rome
Post by don on Jul 16^th, 2003, 6:34am

Many a Ch'er will be offered up as scientific sacrafices in Rome.

If this type of study is discontinued it wont be because of consumer apathy.

I dont know a whole lot (yet) about Dr, Dodick but he could become our biggest ally here in the States.

My goal will be to determine what other parts of the USA this proceedure is being anticipated and who will be doing it.