Posted by Paco (204.111.53.45) on December 20, 1999 at 08:38:37:
...why some of us go into remission. When my clusters began
twenty years ago, I was chronic for five years. Went through all
the standard meds available then, along with lots of pain killers.
At the time, I gave credit to lithium for breaking the clusters into
seasonal episodes or cycles. Now, I wonder. I eased into
remission a few weeks ago. The only significant treatment I used
this time around was oxygen. I'm not a scientific type, but I
wonder if there is any on-going significant research into what causes
us to go into remission? What chemical changes take place--especially
without medications--that brings such wonderful relief and a return
to living. Surely, some identifiable and measurable difference
occurs. Why does relief come to some of us--thank you, thank you---
and not to others who endure this horror every day and night? Nothing
about these attacks seems logical: Why you and not me? Why does
one treatment work for you and not for me? Oh, I know that every-
body's blood chemistry differs. What I wonder is if anyone has
identified the specific differences that either bring on pain or makes
it go away. I apologise for such a long post to say things that must
seem elementary to many.