Posted by Jack Boyd on August 18, 1998 at 10:53:57:
In Reply to: latest research in UK posted by Simon on August 17, 1998 at 23:28:38:
I have 28 years invested in clusters and although I now manage very well due to verapamil and a 3 year interim between bouts, I am extremely interested in finding out a couple of things :
1) the root cause of this bizarre condition
2) the typical course over a lifetime ( I am getting older )
Thanks for turning on us on to the study.
I agree with some of your comments about this site but I think it is meant to be a sort of free for all so as not to discourage discussion.
Twenty eight years ago I met with a lot of indifference and disbeleif from doctors, friends and family and I long ago gave up looking for compassion - I am just looking for information and the most benign treatment I can find. No one can understand another's pain - be it physical or emotional.
I have no empirical data to support my thoughts about smoking, drinking and basic lifestyle issues but I do believe clusters are easier to cope with if one does not smoke or drink and stays as physically fit as possible, if for no other reason than it is easier to cope with pain if we are in optimum health.
This is a great site and my only criticism goes something like this: there are some basic facts and truths about treatment and medication particulalry when it comes to side effects. These issues are so important I would like to see a section of this site devoted to them so we don't have to keep reinventing this wheel.
I've babbled enough.