Posted by Todd (216.199.5.209) on November 17, 1999 at 20:09:31:
In Reply to: Clusters vs Migraine posted by Elaine on November 17, 1999 at 16:47:45:
What I find most compelling in this extract is the comment that ergotamine and sumatriptan "are used in the ACUTE treatment of both types of headache" (emphasis added by this author).
Let us not re-open the tiresome 'who's pain is worse debate'. For my money, Cathy and a few others have clearly and eloquently described how each is debilitating in its own way. I would merely like to illustrate two points Dr. Goadsby made:
1- the difference in brain stem activity, and
2- that the same drugs are used in ACUTE treatment of both disorders. I have yet to hear of a case of clusters which is NOT acute, and therefore requiring acute treatment. Unlike migraines, we seem not to suffer 'mild cases' of clusters...in for a penny, in for a pound. No, I'm not saying all attacks or even all cycles are constant 10's....rather that the disorder itself is, by definition, acute.
garyg has long carried the banner for the school of thought that insists clusters are a very unique, specifically identifed disorder, separate and distinct from migraines, tension, and stress headaches. This in no way demeans or belittles the agony and life disruption these other disorders cause, but merely focuses attention on the concept that one does not treat all medical problems the same, and randomly lumping similar, but separate, disorders in the same basket provides service to no-one.
Oh, and nothing here is intended to imply that anyone posting in this, or any other thread, proffered the opinion that migraines and clusters are the same, similar or related. These opinions are solely those of this poster, and do not represent those of the board, ch.com or OUCH.
KTSSU,
T