Posted by lc bob (172.140.2.109) on August 13, 2000 at 14:45:52:
In Reply to: Sorry to be a bother but yet another question. *S* posted by testy on August 13, 2000 at 07:37:17:
this makes sense to me.
assuming this is correct, there will be a spatial difference between someone who has that cluster of neurons [isn't that phrase incredibly ironic?] and a normal neuron structure - either in a non-clusterhead or on the non-cluster side of a clusterhead. that spatial difference means the nerve cluster is now occupying space it would normally not occupy, which would bring it into possible contact with other structures in its immediate vicinity, structures that it might not normally encounter directly. like blood vessels.
if that blood vessel applies pressure to the cluster of neurons [gawd! i love that phrase!] perhaps the neuron(s) react with pain signals - almost blindly - because the pressure is not something they're "wired" for? now if the orientation of the structures changes over time (sometimes, for instance, maybe the vessel and the cluster are in closer proximity due to the orientation of your neck or something), the variable effect of vasoconstrictor medicines might be explained somewhat. the closer the cluster is to the vessel - or maybe the more linear contact there is owing to a different sized cluster at different times or in different people - the less effective the med would be.
it seems to me that its also possible that nearby muscle/bone structures contribute to the aggravation of the larger nerve bundle - the muscular contribution is significant to me in the effectiveness of water and oxygen - the 2 remedies applied to muscle cramps in sports, and drugs like topomax - an anti seisure medication that would affect muscle activity.
and it's strangely similar to Dr Goadsby's finding of the larger structures on the headache side of clusterheads.
this is pretty heavy, i think - really worth more investigation ...
-lcb