Posted by Simon (213.122.204.225) on May 25, 2001 at 14:04:04:
In Reply to: Cluster, Depakote, Bipolar and The Cure posted by Gordon on May 25, 2001 at 12:32:42:
I have no wish to get involved in an argument as I simply don't have the knowledge of other conditions.
However, drugs which are used for bi-polar may work for ch - just going on lithium myself. But remember verapamil is used for blood pressure and heart conditions - are we all suffering from BP and cardio probs? Doubt it.
Imigran - possibly the most effective treamtent for ch percentage-wise - was developed as a migraine drug - do we all have migraines really - (ducks for cover......)
We regularly have the debate about cause and effect here, and one could argue that there are a lot of humorous posts, so we must all be stand-up comedians in another reality.....
Seems to me that in a group as large as this there are going to be a lot with all sorts of ailments (Crohns is mentioned a lot).
Anyone with a chronic illness is liable to mood swings and depression - to say that ch and bi-polar are related intimately would need an awful lot of proof if it were not also to apply to virtually every other long term chronic condition.
Occam's Razor would suggest -
Clusterheads suffer
Suffering causes depression
Some have it some don't
Any other conclusions seem tentative to say the least.
BTW my depressive period occurred when I suffered with migraine, not ch, and has not returned since. What does that prove?
Further by the way - tried to find out as drug names etc are different here - is divalproex sodium the same as sodium valproate? If it is, the opinion on this side of the Atlantic - medical and personal - is that it is ineffective.
Simon