Brew wrote on Jul 1^st, 2010 at 2:13pm:


I don't think that Jay was implying that depression is part of the definition of CH. 
My interpretation of his post was that with the chronic severe pain, lack of control, lack of sleep, social isolation, etc, of CH comes an understandable element of despair, helplessness, hopelessness - these issues then lend themselves to the development of depression. 

I think one would find a similar domino cascade in many chronic pain conditions - it is not that depression causes CH, but that the relentless 'side effects' of CH causes depression...

And, Jimi, my name is Kirsten...   

My sufferer is taking effexor.  I took it at one point because a doctor I had thought I had fibromyalgia due to a family history.  I have a mother and two aunts that have been diagnosed with this and I may very well have it.  I quit taking it because the doctor told me I would have to take it the rest of my life.
I have noticed that when my boyfriend forgets to take his, there is a noticeable side effect. 
I have not been able to observe a linkage between the med and the CH's as of yet.  When I told him I had joined this site, he offered to have me go with him to see his headache doc.  This is one of many questions I have for the doc. 
If anyone has any feedback on this, I would appreciate it!  I am trying to find ways to lessen the attacks and conquer the "beast"!
FYI, he has a oxygen tank and is on verapimil and taga...something(can never rememeber what this one is!).  The verapamil seems to help but tanks the sex drive.  I notice a definite moos shift as he starts these two meds up each cycle.

Shell wrote on Jul 2^nd, 2010 at 3:40am:


Effexor has a reputation as a pretty good med for depression, but it also has a reputation as a med that can be hard to stop because of side effects.  Often when people stop taking effexor abruptly they can have some temporary mood lability, lightheadedness, dizziness, even some tingling in their extremities - these are all temporary symptoms and not particularly dangerous - just uncomfortable.  Often people have to wean off of effexor very very slowly - i.e. go from 225mg to 150mg for several weeks to 75mg for several weeks to 75mg every other day for several weeks, then stop.  How fast you can wean depends on how uncomfortable you find the weaning side effects...

Yeah, sorry to say I understand Joe. And if that ain't cause for depression I don't know what is...oh yeah, the pain, and the side effects, and.....well, you know. Blessings! lance

It has taken me a while to get around to reading these posts because I tend to avoid anything to do with depression - the reason being that it frightens me.  Silly I know.

Kat I'm sorry to hear you are hurting so much.  I wish you all the best for your doctors appointment and hope that you get the help you need.  The only advice I can offer is that 'this too shall pass'.  Hang in there, don't give up....take each day as it comes, I'm sure one day the sun will come out and you will start to feel better.  And don't be affraid to post here, no one is going to judge you!  This is a support site after all

I find it interesting to read of the link between CH, depression and chronic pain.  Not just that pain causes depression, but that they stem from similar area of the brain.  I have suffered from depression on and off since I was a teenager.   In 2001 I took a near fatal overdose and ended up on life support for three days.  Having had depression before I thought I would get through it... but I gave up too soon.  I had recently been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and my CH was driving me insane!! - still undiagnosed.

But here I am today, very happy to be alive, now a mum, and life is so much better.  When I feel myself falling apart I actively work on my attitudes, get out, take a daily walk, talk to people etc etc and thankfully it passes.

Thanks for posting the article, very interesting.

Kate

Awesome post Kate, NOTHING speaks like real life experiences. So glad you're in a happy place now.

Joe

Well done, Sanna. Like CHs, depression works its evil in silence. Yes, it is somatic too, but keeping things up front and out in the open, allows supporters to really support, and not just wish they could do something to help. And knowing you are vulnerable, and when another bout may hit (hey, just like CHs!) is a great defensive weapon. May you stay pain and depression free! lance

something interesting you may want to read.
diagnostic criteria for depression.

Major Depressive Episode

A. Five (or more) of the following symptoms have been present during the same 2-week period and represent a change from previous functioning; at least one of the symptoms is either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure.

Note:  Do note include symptoms that are clearly due to a general medical condition, or mood-incongruent delusions or hallucinations.

(1) depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either subjective report (e.g., feels sad or empty) or observation made by others (e.g., appears tearful). Note: In children and adolescents, can be irritable mood.

(2) markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day (as indicated by either subjective account or observation made by others)

(3) significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain (e.g., a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month), or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day. Note: In children, consider failure to make expected weight gains.

(4) insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day

(5) psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down)

(6) fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day

(7) feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (which may be delusional) nearly every day (not merely self-reproach or guilt about being sick)

(8) diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day (either by subjective account or as observed by others)

(9) recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide

B. The symptoms do not meet criteria for a Mixed Episode.

C. The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

D. The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition (e.g., hypothyroidism).

E. The symptoms are not better accounted for by Bereavement, i.e., after the loss of a loved one, the symptoms persist for longer than 2 months or are characterized by marked functional impairment, morbid preoccupation with worthlessness, suicidal ideation, psychotic symptoms, or psychomotor retardation.

Major Depressive Disorder


Single Episode

A.  Presence of a single Major Depressive Episode

B.  The Major Depressive Episode is not better accounted for by Schizoaffective Disorder and is not superimposed on Schizophrenia, Schizophreniform Disorder, Delusional Disorder, or Psychotic Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.

C. There has never been a Manic Episode, a Mixed Episode, or a Hypomanic Episode. Note: This exclusion does not apply if all the manic-like, mixed-like, or hypomanic-like episodes are substance or treatment induced or are due to the direct physiological effects of a general medical condition.

Recurrent

A.  Presence of two or more Major Depressive Episodes.

      Note: To be considered separate episodes, there must be an interval of at least 2 consecutive months in which criteria are not met for a Major Depressive Episode.

B.   The Major Depressive Episodes are not better accounted for by Schizoaffective Disorder and are not superimposed on Schizophrenia, Schizophreniform Disorder, Delusional Disorder, or Psychotic Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.

C.  There has never been a Manic Episode, a Mixed Episode, or a Hypomanic Episode. Note: This exclusion does not apply if all the manic-like, mixed-like, or hypomanic-like episodes are substance or treatment induced or are due to the direct physiological effects or a general medical condition.

source
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Quote:

I have always been intrigued by the possible connection between depression/serotonin and CHs.

All I know is that mine started when I developed depression and began taking SSRIs..................