Posted by Jerry on October 27, 1998 at 03:35:44:
In Reply to: Re: psychologist with cluster, some recommendations posted by Bob on October 27, 1998 at 00:54:28:
Hi Bob!
Thanx for your very valuable feedback. I am on the receiving end of substantial numbers of e.mail, ICQ's,etc. of fellow sufferers. The water therapy is no doubt providing relief for everyone on it so far (at least those who regularly provide me feedback). Yes, you are absolutely right about the amount of water being relative to body weight, etc. I keep on stressing that cluster sufferers should start water therapy by involving their doctors, for this reason. For me, 5 foot 10 inches, 94 kg, a large glass of water on the half hour and often on the hour only, does the perfect trick. I am making some headway as to why water works, but most of the connections and detail still avoid me.
In brief: Alcohol, salt, nicotine(an antidiuretic), etc.all have a common denominator: They impact upon the preoptic nucleus and hypothalumus in the brain, which are biological structures involved in regulating the water intake or "thirst" process in our bodies,i.e. salt/water balance in the cell structures. It is exactly the same brain structures that are related to serotinin, the chemical neurotransmitter pointed out by scientists to be involved in cluster headaches (and in migraines, can you believe). However the biological processes of migrains and clusters differ substantially, it would appear. Please keep me posted, you are welcome to e.mail me directly. Kindest regards, and thank you. Jerry