Royce S. Fishman is co-author with Todd Rozen MD of new journal article: CLUSTER HEADACHE IN THE UNITED STATES of AMERICA: DEMOGRAPHICS, CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS, TRIGGERS AND PERSONAL BURDEN

This article, published November 2011, is based on the largest randomized survey ever conducted of cluster headache sufferers, which was conceived of, developed and managed with a leading neurologist while I was a Director, New Business Development with Linde Healthcare. Some of the findings expound on what is currently known about cluster headache while some findings will contradict what has been previously written. Other information represents completely new findings which have never been documented about this fascinating syndrome. Some of this data was presented in abstract form at the 14^th Congress of the International Headache Society.

Separately but of note is a previous 2011 journal article I co-authored concerning this headache condition (which is worse than migraine, and, is often referred to as a "suicide headache).

Both articles were written on a volunteer basis after leaving my previous position, to provide patient organizations with peer reviewed publications containing data they could use with Medicare/CMS to petition for improved reimbursement and to educate physicians about this condition.

Also of note regarding oxygen based therapy, as per the Linde Healthcare method Patent application published December 2009 on which I am co inventor, an oxygen demand valve and a specific breathing method appears to be faster acting than the primary abortive drug sumatriptan injection for cluster headaches up to what sufferers nominally refer to as a Kip 7-8 pain level headache and is much less expensive. Physician driven clinical studies are being developed and pursued in the US and EU.

Cluster headache sufferers, or, those who know persons suffering from this condition, should refer to the document URL's below as well as the websites of sufferer organizations

http://www.clusterheadaches.com/O2/index.html
and http://www.ouch-us.org/medications/oxygen/o2links.htm
for more information on oxygen based therapy that has evolved over 3 decades.

Click here for new Nov 2011 journal article on Cluster Headache demographics, clinical characteristics, triggers and personal burden, published by Headache, Journal of The American Headache Society

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/102870832/CLUSTER-HEADACHE-IN-THE-UNITE...

Click here for previous 2011 journal article co-authored by Royce S. Fishman on use of oxygen therapy in Cluster Headache, published by Headache, Journal of The American Headache Society

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/73824484/Inhaled-Oxygen-and-Cluster-Hea...

Click here for Patent publication on which Royce S. Fishman is co-inventor for a new effective, safe and low cost abortive cluster headache therapy

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/62908873/Method-of-Demand-Valve-Oxygen-...

Tags: Cluster, Consultant, Device, Fishman, Headache, Medical, Pharmaceutical, Royce, S.

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Permalink Reply by Keith E. McInnis on November 13, 2011 at 11:37am

Generous inclusion for GAINnet and important work you are doing; thank you. Debilitating headaches are often dismissed by those who have never had one. I am grateful to have been free of them for over 2 years though I will never forget the impact! Most of mine were post-concussion and not technically the cluster type you discuss but I wonder if there is some relationship as they are similar in presentation.

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Permalink Reply by Royce Fishman on November 13, 2011 at 2:20pm

Hi Keith

Thanks for the positive feedback on the posted materials.

It is as you say...incredible how those without debilitating headaches dismiss them. Cluster headaches earned the term "suicide headache" as the pain they cause is so great and has such an impact on quality of life that a large percent (55%) of sufferers serious contemplate suicide and 2% actually attempt suicide. In my 35 year career in the medical device and pharmaceutical industry, I worked closely with cancer, stroke, head trauma, COPD and wound patients. But, my time spent in the cluster and migraine headache area was the most gut wrenching re: the impact of seeing the ongoing effects of these headaches on those sufferers who experience the worse form of each type, and the long term impact on peoples lives. Cannot comment on their being a relationship per say between concussion induced headaches and cluster type headaches due to similar presentation...but it is interesting to note that a signficant head trauma occurence/history was present in 18% of the persons who went on to develop cluster headache. If you are interested in asking this question of my co-author Dr. Rozen, a leading neurologist and Director of the Headache Clinic at Geisinger, I can send you his email. Royce

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Permalink Reply by Keith E. McInnis on November 13, 2011 at 9:24pm

18%--I didn't see that in the study though admittedly I have only scanned it. I would be honored to contribute in anyway. I have had a prior Dx of cluster headaches. After the concussions (4 in 18months) I had the post concussion issues then recovery resolved all headache issues. My 'scientific gut' is that there is a relationship. And on the 'cynical' side there is a bit of funding out there for TBI issues so if there is a link it seems there should be support for articulating it.

Please send me Dr. Rozen's email info. We should be 'friends' on GAIN now.

“Everyone has a spirit that can be refined, a body that can be trained in some manner, a suitable path to follow. You are here to realize your inner divinity and manifest your innate enlightenment.”- O’Sensei Morihei Ueshiba (Founder of Aikido)

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Permalink Reply by Royce Fishman on November 14, 2011 at 7:34am

Hi Keith

Dr. Rozen's email is tdrozmigraine@yahoo.com. Just let him know you corresponded with me via the GAIN innovation network after seeing the article.

Problem now for any clinical studies...funding is starting to shrink dramatically due to the economy overall and the impact of Obamacare already being felt by pharmaceutical and medical device companies of all sizes (more reimbursement cuts, new taxes, etc) coupled with the generally cautious economic investment climate.

I just recently retired. But, may make the trip up to Gainesville to occassional meetings to see what is being developed for my own scientific curiousity.

Royce