Posted by Bob Johnson (12.19.49.2) on March 13, 2000 at 13:32:17:
As new folks discover ch.com we see many basic questions appearing about treatment, causes, and so on. The valuable support available here cannot, however, be matched with the breadth of medical information which many people need. I want to share material--largely with a medical focus--which has been valuable to me. This list is hardly comprehensive: my criterion for listing is that I return to these sites, etc. because they are useful.
In all cases, explore both "cluster headache" and "migraine" sections/search entries. Because of the classification system used in medicine, cluster material is often a subsection of migraine material.
If you find this list helpful, please send me your favorites (in a private message) and they could be included in future "editions" of this resource list.
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WEBSITES
www.HEADACHEDRUGS.COM. Perhaps the best single site; operated by M.D. who runs a headache clinic. Select "what's new..." and many brief articles open up.
www.HEADACHECARE.COM. Brief articles; a diagnostic test; a physician finder; breaking news reports.
www.AMA-ASSN.ORG. American Medical Association. Select "migraine" at bottom of home page and explore several sub-sections; covers CH and migraine.
www.NOAH.CUNY.EDU/headache/headache.html. This is a directory of links grouped by many headache topics.
www. PSLGROUP.COM/docguide.htm. Doctor's Guide to the Internet. Select "migraine" and you get breaking news on all forms of headache. Explore the buttons which link to other websites, organizations, etc.
www.MEDSCAPE.COM. Professionally oriented site which is of greatest benefit if you have some medical vocabulary but should not be avoided, in any case. Free, initial registration required. Look for links on the Neurology page. Use the search box (bottom) and enter "headache", then select "all dates" on the next page. Some excellent articles on diagnosis and medical treatment.
www.EMEDICINE.COM. Search under "cluster headache".
www.NEUROLAND.COM. Professional and patient sections; explore both. Especially for information on drugs, dosing, etc. Some links.
www.HSCSYR.EDU~/[enter a tilde here, no space before of after]haasd/index.html. Brief introductory level material and treatment information.
www.MAYOHEALTH.ORG. Search using "cluster headache".
www.INTELIHEALTH.COM. Johns Hopkins hospitals.
www.HEADACHES.ORG. National Headache Foundation; educational group with limited articles. (See also under finding a physician.)
http://AHSNET.ORG. American Headache Society. Patient information button on left has some good material. You can explore the contents of the professional journal which they publish.
www.MELDRUM.DEMON.CO.UK/migraine. At bottom of home page, look for FAQ on clusters: four sections of extensive material; strong on treatment options.
http://DIETARY-SUPPLEMENTS.INFO.NIH.GOV. The name tells you what's there.
www.INTERACTIONREPORT.ORG. A new site which plans to report on drug interactions. As of 3/00, there is little content but you can ask questions about interaction concerns.
www.POWERUP.COM.AU/[enter tilde, no spaces]rmottare/prevent.htm. Drug treatment with an Australian flavor.
MEDICATION INFORMATION
http://PHARMINFO.COM.
www.RXLIST.COM
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ARTICLES from medical journals. They can often be found in the medical library of a large hospital or the public library can obtain at little or no cost. In either case, take all the information provided to locate. If you are working with a doctor who has little experience with CH these are the materials you want to get and give!
"Cluster headache", Au. Ninan T. Mathew, MD, NEUROLOGY, 42 (Suppl 2), March 1992. I believe the best single article to give to your doc around questions of diagnosis and treatment.
"Management of cluster headache:an American view", Au: Lee Kudrow, MD, HEADACHE QUARTERLY, 1:1 (57-63), 1990. Somewhat dated but most of the information still relevant.
"Treatment of cluster headache in Europe", Au. Karl Ekbom, MD; HEADACHE QUARTERLY, 1:1 (65-70), 1990. Ekbom is one of the big names in European research.
"Prophylactic therapy of cluster headache", Au: Seymour Solomon, MD, CLINICAL NEUROPHARMACOLOGY, V.14, #2, 116-130, 1991.
Re. special needs of women. Both of these in HEADACHE QUARTERLY, Vol X, #2, 1991: "Women and headaches:a comprehensive approach", p. 31-36. "Special considerations in the management of headache in women", p. 37-43. Focuses on role of hormones in headache and how medications must be altered.
Rebound headaches: see my message at 8/5/99 for the title of an excellent article, source, and summary.
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BOOKS
Doing a search using "headache" on Amazon.com will get you 200+ titles! Seymour Diamond, MD, has a new title aimed at the patient; L. Robbins, MD has a new edition for physicians (see www.headachedrugs.com). But this long list is worth exploring--with care and selectivity.
There are many others available but often high priced. I've listed a couple at reasonable price.
TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR HEADACHE, revised ed, Paul Duckro, et al, The Guilford Press. Aimed at patients and includes a strong focus on the value of stress/cognitive control in addition to medical treatment.
HANDBOOK OF HEADACHE MANAGEMENT, 2nd ed., Au. Joel Saper, MD, 1999, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. A highly condensed volume for doctors but good for "advanced" clusterheads who have a grasp of medical terminology and medications. Covers all types of headache with the section on cluster being brief. Sections on general considerations in treatment and on medications are important.
On stress control/cognitive therapy: see message at 8/31/99, "cognitive therapy".
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PHYSICIANS--LOCATING HEADACHE SPECIALISTS
The National Headache Foundation, 1/888-643-5552, will send a list of doctors, by state, who have self-identified themselves as being interested and experienced in treating headache.
www.HEADACHECARE.COM. See physician finder; limited listings.
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INSENSITIVE DOCTORS--dealing with
Some personal thoughts posted on 1/18/00.
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HMO/MANAGED CARE PROBLEMS
See message at 1/18/00, "Dealing with managed care" and,
"If HMO/insurance won't cover treatment", at 12/06/99.