Posted by drummer (216.28.41.194) on January 17, 2000 at 10:47:39:
In Reply to: This is interesting posted by Phil on January 17, 2000 at 09:54:39:
Hi Phil,
Effexor or Venlafaxine exert their antidepressant effects by inhibiting the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine. Serotonin, (as Bob P is continually letting us know) regulates “mood”. This may be why you experience a “feeling” of Euphoria when taking Effexor.
As for Sansert or Methysergide here is a brief description of the Mechanism of its Action, (again notice that serotonin is mentioned): Methysergide is a highly competitive antagonist of serotonin (5-HT) in the periphery and may be a serotonin agonist in the CNS. Peripherally, the drug inhibits serotonin-induced platelet aggregation, inflammation, and vasoconstriction. Serotonin is considered to be the chemical mediator controlling headaches, by either directly or indirectly lowering the pain threshold. Platelet serotonin levels have been shown to increase before a migraine attack and decrease after the attack. In addition, sumatriptan, an agent that successfully aborts migraine attacks, also stimulates CNS serotonin receptors. Thus, the serotonin agonist activity of methysergide in the CNS appears to contribute to the prophylaxis of vascular headaches. Methysergide also inhibits histamine release from mast cells and greatly decreases prolactin secretion.
As for Prednisone; I’m not sure about its effects on the brain and mind in terms of “mood”. There are rare instances of hallucinations caused by Prednisone that you can read about by Clicking Here.
As for working out and the feeling of Euphoria; you obviously just read about that in my previous post. The only other thing I can think of to add to this discussion about Euphoria is this. According to Dr. Goadsby and various other doctors that have conducted research into Cluster Headaches it is their opinion that Serotonin levels increase during the Cluster attack itself.
Does this increase in Serotonin during a Cluster attack put me in a "good" mood or a "bad" mood?? I don't know. For me, I simply leave my Cluster attacks tired and relieved and fairly "happy" that the whole event is over and done with. I wouldn't say that I am "happy" during the Cluster attack itself though. I would define my mood to be melancholy, pensive and sober. I would think that someone whose Serotonin levels are increasing would be quite "happy". Perhaps the pain somehow negates those increased Serotonin levels????? Again, I don't know.