Posted by Miguel (209.42.225.243) on June 29, 2000 at 01:04:13:
In Reply to: physiological? posted by annemarie on June 26, 2000 at 18:25:36:
It appears to be so annemarie. After doing some literature
research about CH, and the believed pathway from which
the physical aspect (pain) is expressed, there is a
possiblity that it is a disease of the mind.
Consider that just because it hurts, it doesn't mean that it is
purely a physical dysfunction. The pain is nothing but a symptom.
I have not found any evidence that CH is like a heart attack, or a broken arm.
Granted that there might be some environmental causes that may contribute
to the acuteness of the ailment. Also, that some of those
enviromental culprits are shared by many CH sufferers. Yet, such
is hardly tangible evidence to draw a final conclusion in which
the entirety of such a complex problem can be attributed to a
dysfuntional blood vessel in the brain. I think that there are several members
in this board that have undergone surgery(ies) to solve the problem.
Relief was apparently temporary by what I have read.
I would recommend that you read some articles about LSD, sansert, psylocybin, etc, and their mode of action,
as well as their correlation to temporary relief (well beyond the
capabilities of any prescription drug for CH). Also, I would
recommend searching a bit about 5-HT receptors, the pathway involved
in eliciting responses mediated by such receptor, the effects elicited by
other receptor sub-classes which are members of the 5-HT receptor family,
and their role in diseases of the mind, while
trying to see if there are any commonalities with CH.
For instance, I am very intrigued as to what effect would an antiepileptic agent
coupled with a MAO agonist may have on CH. Why anti-histaminic agents are somewhat
effective in aleviating CH? What roles do hormones play in mental state and CH?
Why do nursing mothers experience relief from CH during the entire
period they nurse? Is oxitocyn involved in CH? etc...etc...etc...
Let me know what you find out there :)
Miguel