Posted by Todd (139.62.224.5) on February 23, 2000 at 12:43:12:
In Reply to: to both the Todd's, just a question,.... posted by Monique on February 23, 2000 at 11:30:31:
Hi Monique-
I don't believe either Flash or Rider have claimed a 'cure'. They both still have CH, as does Greg. As I recall, Rider says the tea provides him an approximate 1 year remission period, so the best that can be hoped for is that the tea is an effective treatment.
Think of it this way....if you go through a period during which your MS does not present any noticable symptoms, would you declare yourself 'cured'? If a magic potion is found that, taken once/year, would resolve the bladder control aspects you endure, would you call that an MS cure? The pain we feel is the result, it isn't the disorder, just as the symptoms you suffer aren't MS, but its' result.
If I understand MS correctly (a huge and probably false assumption), something damages the myelin sheath which then causes all kinds of unpleasant symptoms. The current best guess about CH is that something causes the development of excess gray matter in the hypothamic region, which presumably causes some subsequent chain of events which result in pain. Despite all the talk of vaso-constrictors and vaso-dilators, there is still no concensus amongst the medical profession as to whether this is pre- or post- onset of cluster attack.
Given that 6 month, 1 and 2 year cycles seem (from the anecdotal evidence here) most prevalent, any declaration of a 'cure' prior to at least a 2 year period of remission is ludicrously premature. We have had reports, albeit again anecdotal, of 5 and 7 year remission periods.
Should a miracle somehow happen and a 'cure' is announced, I'll be right in line with the rest of you to take it. I also won't consider myself 'cured' until the moment of my death, and even then probably wonder whether the next cycle was due to start the next day.
KTSSU,
T