Posted by Ueli (195.162.170.212) on August 29, 2000 at 08:03:54:
In Reply to: Methadone? posted by Geo on August 29, 2000 at 05:02:26:
I'm sick and tired of people who put a narrow minded label on any medication and ask 'why should it help CH?', such as:
& Verapamil against high blood pressure
& Topiramate (Topomax) is against epilepsy
& Ritalin is for children with ADD
& Sumatriptan (Imitrex) is against Migraine
& Methadone is for weaning junkies
& etc.
As anybody should know by now, there is no drug specifically designed against CH, and we have to try to get some benefits from those developed for other diseases.
As to Methadone:
This is a synthetic opiate. It is used routinely (at least in places that are open minded on pain management) as a very strong analgesic after major surgery. It is slightly addicting (how horrible!), but tapering down over three days gets rid of that. As it not only blocks pain receptors but also relaxes smooth muscles, it is double useful for CH. On weaning junkies, it helps with the physiological part of the addiction, but is obviously of no help if patient is not willing to quit the psychological part.
Damn again, before uttering half cooked rubbish about some medication, inform yourself a bit, by example by clicking on: