Posted by Bennie Sue (63.16.4.206) on August 14, 2000 at 00:44:47:
In Reply to: Pain posted by Miguel on August 13, 2000 at 15:04:11:
Dr. Goadsby et al say that the calcitonin gene- related peptide (CGRP) level is highly elevated during a CH attack. Blood was drawn from the carotid area of the neck and checked by a controlled, scientific procedure. Patients were then treated with either oxygen or Imitrex or an opiate. Their blood was tested a second time.Those who received Imitrex or oxygen showed a return to normal levels of CGRP and the pain was aborted. Those volunteers receiving opiates had some help with the pain, but the CGRP level did not return to normal as a result of that treatment.
The researchers did not give a clue to the reason for the elevated level of CGRP or why two treatments worked and the other did not. Perhaps if they knew the answer to that....