Posted by Wayne Robert Stagg on November 12, 1999 at 23:42:48:In Reply to: Re: EDS due to excessive melatonin/pineal cyst ? posted by JOAN WILKERSON on July 15, 1999 at 11:51:21:
I am a 41 year old New Zealand male of European extraction. I live and work in Brunei darussalam, Borneo, SEA. 6 years ago (December 1993/January 1994) I began to have wicked headaches on a daily basis, often at night and following quite a regimented and predictable time pattern i.e. so many hours - almost exactly - between attacks. I was diagnosed as having cluster headaches and prescribed Imigrin (Imtrex in the USA) to relieve the immediate headache pain, and sanomograne (pziotofen spelling?) as a propylactic. The headaches ceased by February 1994.
However, I began to have attacks again June/July 1996. These went on for several months and I was prescibed a vaiety of medications including beta-blockas, steroids and anti-depressants (the latter are used not for psychological reasons but because they effect seretonin levels/operation in the brain). After 4 months the headaches again ceased. I had an MRI scan as part of the diagnostic proceedure for the headache symptoms. The MRI revealed a small pineal cyst, but was discounted by my doctor and neurologists as a causal factor for the headaches.
Since 1996 I have had two further extended periods of cluster episodic headahes, but have basically had the headaches off and on since February 1998 - the end of my last cluster period. Looking back over my headache 'diary' for 1998/1999, I realised that I have had few - the minority - months free of headache in the last year and 11 months. I have had persistent headaches i.e. 1, usually 2, sometimes 3 every day since mid August 99 till now (mid November 99). The pineal cyst continues to be ruled out as a causal factor and this is partly confirmed by the fact that yearly MRIs have shown no increase in the size of the cyst (last MRI being September 99).
I continue to take Imigrin daily to counter headache pain, and am still taking anti-depressants (amyltriptoline) and sanomigrane. I have also had acupuncture treatment and seen a chiropractor - all to no real avail.
Regards WRS