Posted by OldSchool on February 22, 2002, at 13:00:18
In reply to Serzone vs. Imitrex for headaches question?, posted by JohnX2 on February 22, 2002, at 11:54:27
>
> I once tried Imitrex for my headaches at my
> GPs office and they stuck a big ugly needle
> in my arm and it turned my skin all red.
> It seemed to help my headache a little for a while,
> but I didn't have the symptoms of migraine that
> they asked about.
>
> Serzone is definately helping alleviate my
> headpain (as well as Klonopin and Topamax). Serzone
> was the only AD to do so. Others made it worse
> including Zoloft. When I take Serzone it also causes
> my skin to flush in a manner similar to the Imitrex
> shot.
>
> I'm thinking the Serzone flush is caused because
> Serzone has a metabolite mCpp that is a dirty
> serotonin agonist whereas Imitrex has a cleaner
> metabolite that is selective for the 5ht-1b and
> 5ht-1d receptors. Anyways both meds are therefore
> agonists at those receptors. The only other SSRI to cause
> this flush for me was Paxil, but it didn't work
> as an AD.
>
> Anyone else experience this flushing in the
> skin and get relief from migraines or other
> types of headaches?
>
> -JohnThe reason Serzone made your headaches better most likely has to do with serotonin. Low serotonin levels causes headaches, because when serotonin levels are low, blood vessels become inflamed and hurt. Increasing serotonin via serotonergic antidepressants soothes and relaxes inflamed blood vessels and nerves in your head, making headaches go away.
Have you ever tried depakote for headache prophylaxis? Its quite effective for that.
Also, Tricyclic antidepressants tend to be quite effective for headache prophylaxis.Old School
poster:OldSchool
thread:95100
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020222/msgs/95111.html