Question:
I’ve been following this thread and have a couple of questions or observations. The two studies I’ve copied are examples of what I perceive to be a problem with studies in general. I’m not arguing with these studies, but am wondering about what is done with the information gathered. I would think that,say, with the information Diamond gathered, they would have followed these 23%, and determined what was the best treatment plan for them. Was there a *best* treatment? Same with the study reported by the Atlanta Journal. It’s relativly easy to find a group of people with a common background. What I feel is most important then, is what is done with the information. Did Diamond find then, that 90% of that 23% were best helped with Imitrex? Or didn’t they ever check and add up the numbers. If you add the Diamond research with the report from the Atlanta Journal, this may be the best guess. Information like this would certainly be helpful in starting off with the medication with the best chance of working. I’ve heard and read people that do studies, say that their job is to gather this small bit of information, and then it’s up to somebody else to do something with it. I think this is a flawed assessment of why studies *should* be done. We have thousands of studies going on, but are they ever followed through to a logical conclusion? Did anybody ever *do* anything with this information that will actually help those people involved, or are they just left with interesting information? Bob The Summer 1996 NHF newsletter had an article on this. It said, "a study at the Diamond Headache Clinic in 1995 found that 23% of female migraineurs reported a history of sexual abuse."
There was an article in The Atlanta Journal/Constitution a few years ago (12/25/93) that discussed research in genetic links to aggression. The article mentioned that several studies suggest that threatening environments during childhood (sustained threat) can trigger serotonin and noradrenaline imbalances in genetically susceptible people. The article also mentioned that serotonin declines in the brains of abused children (among other groups mentioned). Sorry I can’t site the specific studies, it’s a long article and mentions several universities and institutions doing research without being specific about who is doing what.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – STRESS AND BOTTLED UP FEAR, ANXIETY OR ANGER ARE ALL COMMON TRIGGERS MAIN THING TO REMEMBER IS TO FORGIVE YOURSELF (many people feel they were to blame when this is not true) AND MOVE ON FROM THE PAST – DON’T BE HELD HOSTAGE BY THE PAST – OR IT WILL CAPTIVATE YOUR FUTURE best wishes While it is true that it is importnat to forgive ourselves it isnot always so easy to just move on from the past. Many childhood abuse survivors still must have contact with their abuser whether they like it or not. Along with the fact that the memories are embeddedin our mind and tend to come up at the most inoppurtune time. But that does not mean that if we can neither get rid of the past nor forgive ourselves (which isn’t as easy as it may sound) it does not have to captivate our future. There ar many projects out there that can help the survivor…yes it would be nice if we could cut the offensive people out of our lives, and yes it would be nice if it were easy to "just forgive" ourselves but any survivor will tell you these are life long projects. Karen
Yes, I do realize it is not an easy goal – but it is one to strive for when the offender is still in ones life it makes any form of dealing with it hard But if they are in our life or not in our life – we must strive to realize it was not our fault…. why do we always blame ourself for what happens to us? Can never get rid of the past but can strive to make the future brighter – right ?:) Hugz
Response:
Karen – I am really glad that you are here. Cherise
me too Cherise 
Karen http://www.softcom.net/users/wavsrus/karen.html a ship is safe at harbor… but that’s not what ships are for http://www.billyboard.com -Free Public Web News Server-Read, Subscribe and Post ——Posted via Billyboard News—— http://www.billyboard.com Free Public Usenet WebReader
Response:
Bob, Thank you for writing this response. I started the original thread and actually received a copy of the Diamond article in the mail. It irked me for the same reasons as you. It did not mention anything about treatment. It also had that attitude that it is all in your head. Well my MD has told me that not only has my body been in a physical state of shock for the last 22 years, but my emotional and spiritual health have been traumatized. Anyway, I would love to know what treatment worked for those 23% and I think you really hit the nail on the head on this issue. Thank you for raising the point so clearly. Cherise – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – writes: I’ve been following this thread and have a couple of questions or observations. The two studies I’ve copied are examples of what I perceive to be a problem with studies in general. I’m not arguing with these studies, but am wondering about what is done with the information gathered. I would think that,say, with the information Diamond gathered, they would have followed these 23%, and determined what was the best treatment plan for them. Was there a *best* treatment? Same with the study reported by the Atlanta Journal. It’s relativly easy to find a group of people with a common background. What I feel is most important then, is what is done with the information. Did Diamond find then, that 90% of that 23% were best helped with Imitrex? Or didn’t they ever check and add up the numbers. If you add the Diamond research with the report from the Atlanta Journal, this may be the best guess. Information like this would certainly be helpful in starting off with the medication with the best chance of working. I’ve heard and read people that do studies, say that their job is to gather this small bit of information, and then it’s up to somebody else to do something with it. I think this is a flawed assessment of why studies *should* be done. We have thousands of studies going on, but are they ever followed through to a logical conclusion? Did anybody ever *do* anything with this information that will actually help those people involved, or are they just left with interesting information? Bob The Summer 1996 NHF newsletter had an article on this. It said, "a study at the Diamond Headache Clinic in 1995 found that 23% of female migraineurs reported a history of sexual abuse." There was an article in The Atlanta Journal/Constitution a few years ago (12/25/93) that discussed research in genetic links to aggression. The article mentioned that several studies suggest that threatening environments during childhood (sustained threat) can trigger serotonin and noradrenaline imbalances in genetically susceptible people. The article also mentioned that serotonin declines in the brains of abused children (among other groups mentioned). Sorry I can’t site the specific studies, it’s a long article and mentions several universities and institutions doing research without being specific about who is doing what.
Response:
: : STRESS AND BOTTLED UP FEAR, ANXIETY OR ANGER ARE ALL COMMON TRIGGERS : MAIN THING TO REMEMBER IS TO FORGIVE YOURSELF (many people feel : they were to blame when this is not true) AND MOVE ON FROM : THE PAST – DON’T BE HELD HOSTAGE BY THE PAST – OR IT WILL CAPTIVATE : YOUR FUTURE : : best wishes : : : While it is true that it is importnat to forgive ourselves it isnot : always so easy to : just move on from the past. Many childhood abuse survivors still : must have contact with their abuser whether they like it or not. : Along with the fact that the memories are embeddedin our mind and tend : to come up at the most inoppurtune time. : But that does not mean that if we can neither get rid of the past nor : forgive ourselves (which isn’t as easy as it may sound) : it does not have to captivate our future. There ar many projects out : there that can help the survivor…yes it would be nice if we could : cut the offensive people out of our lives, and yes it would be nice : if it were easy to "just forgive" : ourselves but any survivor will tell you these are life long : projects. : Karen : Yes, I do realize it is not an easy goal – but it is one to strive for : when the offender is still in ones life it makes any form of dealing : with it hard : But if they are in our life or not in our life – we must strive to : realize it was not our fault…. why do we always blame ourself for : what happens to us? : Can never get rid of the past but can strive to make the future : brighter – right ?:) I’ve got to say that anytime anyone tells me I *must* do something, as you did, they lose all credibility with me. When you’re talking to an audience (abuse survivors) who have had entirely too much "you must" done to them, using that kind of language seems to me clearly indicative of the need to get a clue on the topic. It is true that one can never "get rid of" the past, but I’ve heard that the only way out is through, and I’ve found that to be true for me. Please don’t assume that I’m a part of your "we" or that what you know what’s best for me. Priscilla
Response:
Karen – I am really glad that you are here. Cherise – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thank You Karen. Cherise Anytime Cherise! Someone has to speak up and not that I can I don’t think anyone can stop me. It took over 30 years for me to say I am a survivor…now I am going to be one! karen
Response:
Thank You Karen. Cherise
Anytime Cherise! Someone has to speak up and not that I can I don’t think anyone can stop me. It took over 30 years for me to say I am a survivor…now I am going to be one! karen – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – STRESS AND BOTTLED UP FEAR, ANXIETY OR ANGER ARE ALL COMMON TRIGGERS MAIN THING TO REMEMBER IS TO FORGIVE YOURSELF (many people feel they were to blame when this is not true) AND MOVE ON FROM THE PAST – DON’T BE HELD HOSTAGE BY THE PAST – OR IT WILL CAPTIVATE YOUR FUTURE best wishes While it is true that it is importnat to forgive ourselves it isnot always so easy to just move on from the past. Many childhood abuse survivors still must have contact with their abuser whether they like it or not. Along with the fact that the memories are embeddedin our mind and tend to come up at the most inoppurtune time. But that does not mean that if we can neither get rid of the past nor forgive ourselves (which isn’t as easy as it may sound) it does not have to captivate our future. There ar many projects out there that can help the survivor…yes it would be nice if we could cut the offensive people out of our lives, and yes it would be nice if it were easy to "just forgive" ourselves but any survivor will tell you these are life long projects. Karen http://www.softcom.net/users/wavsrus/karen.html a ship is safe at harbor… but that’s not what ships are for http://www.billyboard.com -Free Public Web News Server-Read, Subscribe and Post ——Posted via Billyboard News—— http://www.billyboard.com Free Public Usenet WebReader
Response:
Thank You Karen. Cherise – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – STRESS AND BOTTLED UP FEAR, ANXIETY OR ANGER ARE ALL COMMON TRIGGERS MAIN THING TO REMEMBER IS TO FORGIVE YOURSELF (many people feel they were to blame when this is not true) AND MOVE ON FROM THE PAST – DON’T BE HELD HOSTAGE BY THE PAST – OR IT WILL CAPTIVATE YOUR FUTURE best wishes While it is true that it is importnat to forgive ourselves it isnot always so easy to just move on from the past. Many childhood abuse survivors still must have contact with their abuser whether they like it or not. Along with the fact that the memories are embeddedin our mind and tend to come up at the most inoppurtune time. But that does not mean that if we can neither get rid of the past nor forgive ourselves (which isn’t as easy as it may sound) it does not have to captivate our future. There ar many projects out there that can help the survivor…yes it would be nice if we could cut the offensive people out of our lives, and yes it would be nice if it were easy to "just forgive" ourselves but any survivor will tell you these are life long projects. Karen http://www.softcom.net/users/wavsrus/karen.html a ship is safe at harbor… but that’s not what ships are for http://www.billyboard.com -Free Public Web News Server-Read, Subscribe and Post ——Posted via Billyboard News—— http://www.billyboard.com Free Public Usenet WebReader
Response:
STRESS AND BOTTLED UP FEAR, ANXIETY OR ANGER ARE ALL COMMON TRIGGERS MAIN THING TO REMEMBER IS TO FORGIVE YOURSELF (many people feel they were to blame when this is not true) AND MOVE ON FROM THE PAST – DON’T BE HELD HOSTAGE BY THE PAST – OR IT WILL CAPTIVATE YOUR FUTURE best wishes
While it is true that it is importnat to forgive ourselves it isnot always so easy to just move on from the past. Many childhood abuse survivors still must have contact with their abuser whether they like it or not. Along with the fact that the memories are embeddedin our mind and tend to come up at the most inoppurtune time. But that does not mean that if we can neither get rid of the past nor forgive ourselves (which isn’t as easy as it may sound) it does not have to captivate our future. There ar many projects out there that can help the survivor…yes it would be nice if we could cut the offensive people out of our lives, and yes it would be nice if it were easy to "just forgive" ourselves but any survivor will tell you these are life long projects. Karen http://www.softcom.net/users/wavsrus/karen.html a ship is safe at harbor… but that’s not what ships are for http://www.billyboard.com -Free Public Web News Server-Read, Subscribe and Post ——Posted via Billyboard News—— http://www.billyboard.com Free Public Usenet WebReader
Response:
Interesting that Cherise should ask that, the question has occured to me as well. Maybe the relationship between the two is the stress involved, pchycologically its a stress factor-resulting in headaches. Has anyone seen any articles written on the connection between people abused sexually and migraines? Cherise
STRESS AND BOTTLED UP FEAR, ANXIETY OR ANGER ARE ALL COMMON TRIGGERS MAIN THING TO REMEMBER IS TO FORGIVE YOURSELF (many people feel they were to blame when this is not true) AND MOVE ON FROM THE PAST – DON’T BE HELD HOSTAGE BY THE PAST – OR IT WILL CAPTIVATE YOUR FUTURE best wishes
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Interesting that Cherise should ask that, the question has occured to me as well. Maybe the relationship between the two is the stress involved, pchycologically its a stress factor-resulting in headaches. According to my gp and ALSO my therapist the problem seems to be that early childhood trauma (not just sexual abuse but any form of abuse or neglect) tends to make it hard for the stress mode of our brain to shut down. So as time goes on we live being in a constant state of stress. We never really shut that stress mode down. Relaxing to us is one thing and to those that have not had to survive this type of ordeal something completely different. We have to reteach our body what relaxation means. My gp and therapist concur. We (those of us who have abuse in our pasts) almost have (or DO have to) learn to reparent ourselves. To allow ourselves to express that child part of us who can then learn how to relax. It’s a journey! <g — Ruth
and a half!!! That’s where the saying: A ship is safe at harbor … But that’s not what ship’s are for came from happy healing Karen PS- did you sign the petition on the child abuse page yet? the more the merrier http://www.softcom.net/users/wavsrus/ca.html
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Interesting that Cherise should ask that, the question has occured to me as well. Maybe the relationship between the two is the stress involved, pchycologically its a stress factor-resulting in headaches. According to my gp and ALSO my therapist the problem seems to be that early childhood trauma (not just sexual abuse but any form of abuse or neglect) tends to make it hard for the stress mode of our brain to shut down. So as time goes on we live being in a constant state of stress. We never really shut that stress mode down. Relaxing to us is one thing and to those that have not had to survive this type of ordeal something completely different. We have to reteach our body what relaxation means.
My gp and therapist concur. We (those of us who have abuse in our pasts) almost have (or DO have to) learn to reparent ourselves. To allow ourselves to express that child part of us who can then learn how to relax. It’s a journey! <g — Ruth
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Interesting that Cherise should ask that, the question has occured to me as well. Maybe the relationship between the two is the stress involved, pchycologically its a stress factor-resulting in headaches. Has anyone seen any articles written on the connection between people abused sexually and migraines? The Summer 1996 NHF newsletter had an article on this. It said, "a study at the Diamond Headache Clinic in 1995 found that 23% of female migraineurs reported a history of sexual abuse."
Hmmmm that would seem to be a little less than the general population. Some sources have reported that out of everyone around you, one in three females have been sexually abused.
Response:
Interesting that Cherise should ask that, the question has occured to me as well. Maybe the relationship between the two is the stress involved, pchycologically its a stress factor-resulting in headaches.
According to my gp and ALSO my therapist the problem seems to be that early childhood trauma (not just sexual abuse but any form of abuse or neglect) tends to make it hard for the stress mode of our brain to shut down. So as time goes on we live being in a constant state of stress. We never really shut that stress mode down. Relaxing to us is one thing and to those that have not had to survive this type of ordeal something completely different. We have to reteach our body what relaxation means. It’s hard…really hard…but not impossible. If I can do it then I know you can. I’m not quite there yet but I can say that I am a whole lot better than I was six months ago. You might also want to check out the information for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It’s not always what people want to hear but it’s got some good ideas on how to deal with it anyway Karen
Response:
Interesting that Cherise should ask that, the question has occured to me as well. Maybe the relationship between the two is the stress involved, pchycologically its a stress factor-resulting in headaches. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone seen any articles written on the connection between people abused sexually and migraines? Cherise
Response:
Has anyone seen any articles written on the connection between people abused sexually and migraines? Cherise
Response:
Has anyone seen any articles written on the connection between people abused sexually and migraines? Cherise
The summer 96 issue of the National Headache Foundations’s newsletter (I think it’s called Headlines) had an article on early child abuse and migraines. Don’t know what it says but I know it was there. If you haven’t done so yet come on over to my website cherise. There might be some help over there. The url is http://www.softcom.net/users/wavsrus/karen.html I think there is a link in the PTSD page to NOT VICTIMS. They have a lot of good information there too. feel free to write me Karen
Response:
I’m beginning to wonder just how many of us are survivors of childhood abuse. Like Karen, it took me many years even to realise that’s what had happened to me; and now I’m learning to be more open about it, and realising just how much it has affected me. I guess this is where a supportive group like this one helps. Eve
one more is too many Karen http://www.softcom.net/users/wavsrus/karen.html a ship is safe at harbor… but that’s not what ship’s are for! x-no-archive-yes
Response:
I’m beginning to wonder just how many of us are survivors of childhood abuse. Like Karen, it took me many years even to realise that’s what had happened to me; and now I’m learning to be more open about it, and realising just how much it has affected me. I guess this is where a supportive group like this one helps. Eve
Response:
It also had that attitude that it is all in your head. Well my MD has told me that not only has my body been in a physical state of shock for the last 22 years, but my emotional and spiritual health have been traumatized. Anyway, I would love to know what treatment worked for those 23% and I think you really hit the nail on the head on this issue. Thank you for raising the point so clearly. Cherise
Cherise, I will personally deliver your posts and my questions to the Diamond headache clinic, if you wish. This goes for anyone else that would like to make comments to a clininc that has done "some" research into this. I will bring in my questions. I will not bring any posts directly from the group. I wouldn’t do that without anyone’s permission. If you would like any questions or letters to accompany my original post, please send them to me e-mail. You will have plenty of time, I’m going in at the end of August. ( Unless my clusters flare up before that ) Bob
Response:
major snip< I’ve got to say that anytime anyone tells me I *must* do something, as you did, they lose all credibility with me. When you’re talking to an audience (abuse survivors) who have had entirely too much "you must" done to them, using that kind of language seems to me clearly indicative of the need to get a clue on the topic. It is true that one can never "get rid of" the past, but I’ve heard that the only way out is through, and I’ve found that to be true for me. Please don’t assume that I’m a part of your "we" or that what you know what’s best for me. Priscilla
Hi Priscilla I really appreciate it when you take the time and make the effort to respond to threads like this. Often I have struggled to figure out how/what to say and then when I check the newsgroup, you have very succinctly said what I was thinking. My biggest breakthroughs have come when I’ve stopped trying to find a way to get around something painful and let myself go through it. Sometimes it has to hurt worse before it gets any better and just as with headaches, though, it is different for everyone. Thank you for making such a difference in this newsgroup. Debby
Response:
Anytime Cherise! Someone has to speak up and not that I can I don’t think anyone can stop me. It took over 30 years for me to say I am a survivor…now I am going to be one! karen
You know what? You’re right. I’m a survior too. It’s been almost 40 years, and I am sick to death of all the crap I’ve put myself through trying not to offend anyone, or trying to hide the truth because abuse is not a "nice thing to talk about." Bullshit! Karen, when you’re right, you’re right. I don’t know if the abuse I suffered *caused* my migraines, but it sure as hell caused a lot of turmoil, bad relationships and low self esteem. But, enough’s enough. As someone recently said to me, "Okay, you’ve been abused, now what?" Now, I live MY life. Thanks, Karen, for saying what needed to be said. Susan
Response:
Gee … This *is* a support group, isn’t it! After years of knowing *something* was wrong I am finally able to admit that I was abused as well. No qualifications necessary. Cheers- — Ruth – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m beginning to wonder just how many of us are survivors of childhood abuse. Like Karen, it took me many years even to realise that’s what had happened to me; and now I’m learning to be more open about it, and realising just how much it has affected me. I guess this is where a supportive group like this one helps. Eve
Response:
You Go Priscilla! Say it loud and clear like that and it’s music to my ears! Sister in survival Karen – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -: Yes, I do realize it is not an easy goal – but it is one to strive for : when the offender is still in ones life it makes any form of dealing : with it hard : But if they are in our life or not in our life – we must strive to : realize it was not our fault…. why do we always blame ourself for : what happens to us? : Can never get rid of the past but can strive to make the future : brighter – right ?:) I’ve got to say that anytime anyone tells me I *must* do something, as you did, they lose all credibility with me. When you’re talking to an audience (abuse survivors) who have had entirely too much "you must" done to them, using that kind of language seems to me clearly indicative of the need to get a clue on the topic. It is true that one can never "get rid of" the past, but I’ve heard that the only way out is through, and I’ve found that to be true for me. Please don’t assume that I’m a part of your "we" or that what you know what’s best for me. Priscilla
http://www.softcom.net/users/wavsrus/karen.html a ship is safe at harbor… but that’s not what ship’s are for! x-no-archive-yes
Response:
anytime Susan! Karen – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anytime Cherise! Someone has to speak up and not that I can I don’t think anyone can stop me. It took over 30 years for me to say I am a survivor…now I am going to be one! karen You know what? You’re right. I’m a survior too. It’s been almost 40 years, and I am sick to death of all the crap I’ve put myself through trying not to offend anyone, or trying to hide the truth because abuse is not a "nice thing to talk about." Bullshit! Karen, when you’re right, you’re right. I don’t know if the abuse I suffered *caused* my migraines, but it sure as hell caused a lot of turmoil, bad relationships and low self esteem. But, enough’s enough. As someone recently said to me, "Okay, you’ve been abused, now what?" Now, I live MY life. Thanks, Karen, for saying what needed to be said. Susan
http://www.softcom.net/users/wavsrus/karen.html a ship is safe at harbor… but that’s not what ship’s are for! x-no-archive-yes
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