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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2003 >> Whats the difference between........
        
(Message started by: 123456lynn on Jun 14^th, 2003, 7:13am)

Title: Whats the difference between........
Post by 123456lynn on Jun 14^th, 2003, 7:13am

Whats the difference between narcotics and abortives?

Title: Re: Whats the difference between........
Post by tommyD on Jun 14^th, 2003, 7:36am

Abortives relieve the condition that causes the pain. Abortives such as oxygen and triptan drugs are thought to stop the carotid artery from pressing on the trigeminal nerve.

Narcotics are supposed to relieve the pain itself, though most say opiate narcotics won't do much for cluster pain. Of those who say they do get some relief from narcotics, many of them say the pain is still there, you just don't care as much.

Opiates are considered a "last resort," used when nothing else works.

-tommyD

Title: Re: Whats the difference between........
Post by Hound_Dogg on Jun 14^th, 2003, 7:55am

Tommy, pretty much summed it up...but I just wanted to add that basically abortives target the area that is actually causing the pain.

Narcotics work on on a general type of pain. Narcotics usually increase a person's tolerance for pain & decrease the perception of suffering, although the presence of pain itself may still be recognized. 8)

Hope this helps.

Jim