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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Confused!
        
(Message started by: michael on Jun 27^th, 2007, 2:55pm)

Title: Confused!
Post by michael on Jun 27^th, 2007, 2:55pm

I am trying to make sense of a couple of medicines.

My biggest saviour up untill now has been imigran injections. My understanding of these is that they are a serotonin agonist, ie they bind to serotonic receptor sites at the synapse and act as a serotonin neurotransmitter. Are these the sites in the brain, or at neuron-muscle sites in the arteries.

Verapimil is a calcium channel blocker. I understand this to mean that they block the influx of calcium that triggers neuro-transmitter release at the synapse. This seems to me to be the opposite of the injections.

I know a little knoweledge is a dangerous thing but I would really like to try and understand.

I have read many articles on this site and also a few books on the human brain, but the terminology is too complex for me.

Could someone try to explain in plain english please. I would be so grateful for any help.

Thanks

Mike

Title: Re: Confused!
Post by Linda_Howell on Jun 27^th, 2007, 4:43pm

Calling Bob Johnson....

Title: Re: Confused!
Post by E-Double on Jun 27^th, 2007, 9:14pm

It essentially works by relaxing the tiny muscles that surround the blood vessels.

By relaxing it is allowing smoother flow and reducing the pressure intensity of attacks are decreased in theory

Title: Re: Confused!
Post by Bob_Johnson on Jun 28^th, 2007, 8:37am

Oh, Linda! You've called my bluff!! <bg>

In truth, I've never been interested in knowing this kind of information. My focus is on the practical functionality of a treatment because the underlying dynamics involves a depth of learning that seems, to me, to have no useful application for folks like us.

But thanks.....

Title: Re: Confused!
Post by Linda_Howell on Jun 28^th, 2007, 9:47am

Oh Bob, I wasn't try to call your bluff...you are just such a wealth of knowledge , I just thought maybe you had a link. :-*

I'm with you, this stuff is way too far over my head.