Posted by D Bond (208.234.65.21) on November 24, 2000 at 03:56:23:
I mentioned about a month ago that I would report on this Serzone treatment the neurologist put me on. His diagnosis of my cluster/migrane syndrome was likely genetic and that the neurotransmitter Seratonin was becoming inefficient.Seratonin transmits brain messages involving the control of brain blood vessal expansion. If the message is poorly carried, it sends an erroneous message to have the brain blood vessels expand, triggering a migraine/cluster. I learned that the progressive inefficiancy of the Seratonin is quite often an aging thing..I am 58. A Seratonin enhancer med called Serzone was prescribed and I started it about 2 months ago. Seems It took around 2 weeks (its a buildup treatment) for something to start to change. And that was the gradual disappearance of almost daily shadows which some would develop into a 7 or 8. Then I became almost clear headed after three weeks. I am at 100mg in the am,100mg in the pm.For over a month now, I have resumed a normal travel schedule, driving over 400 miles to each event, and I have gained confidence through time that I dont fear the sudden and without warning, attacks. Occassionally, a shadow occurs at the base of my skull/neck area, and I use Advil Migraine which works for me to clear it up for that day. This Serzone is a "preventative" treatment but doesnt work for everybody, the neurologist said. Only time will tell for me. So far ..so good. I will always have this condition, there is no real cure. But I'll take what goes down right now. At least it has restored my confidence to get out and do things. I still have the Imitrex Nasal bomb which I have used only twice in the past 2 months when the shadow(about a 3) wouldnt go away after several days continuously. It worked as it always has. And I keep the Imitrex always handy as a safety net. All the best....I hope this may help someone. thanks D Bond