Posted by AndrewB on April 29, 2000, at 13:28:23
In reply to Migraines from stims? (My Achy, Breaky Head), posted by KarenB on April 29, 2000, at 11:22:38
Karen,
Listen up. The amphetamines are probably causing your headaches. Through the amphetamine's action on Norepinephrine, the beta andrenergic receptors are stimulated, which seems to be able to cause migraines. Amineptine and sulpiride didn't do this because they act just on dopamine (though dopamine does indirectly act on NE). You can eliminate the headaches by taking a beta blocker. This will block the stimulation of the beta andrenergic receptors. Beta blockers are known to help with migraines. Ask your doctor about this. Take only as much as is needed to eliminate the migraines in order to avoid side effects from the beta blocker. In other words start at a small dose.
One other thing, the diagnosis of ADD without hyperactivity strikes me as possibly a diagnosis of convenience. What I mean is that the label of ADD is tacked on not so much because your symptoms resemble true ADD but rather because peolpe with your symptoms tend to respond to stimulants, just like those with ADD respond to stimulants. In this sense, it is the efficacy of the amphetamines that created the diagnostic category rather than the symptoms. Look at the the symptoms of this so called ADD without hyperactivity. At least in your case, it is fatigue and lack of mental attentiveness. Should we say that anytime someone lacks mental attentiveness that they have ADD. No, because people with polioencephalitis and chronic fatigue syndrome also suffer lack of attentiveness along with a general mental fatigue and lack of energy.
My whole point here is to remind you to not let the diagnosis determine your treatment medicine. If the adderall works for you great. I'll consider using it myself (instead of amineptine) if it works great for you. However if the sulpiride and amineptine worked better for you, either go back to it or find a close substitute. I believe I can suggest such substitutes. For example Mirapex can be substituted for sulpiride. Mirapex wouldn't effect your menses (or prolactin) and it is US available.
So try a beta blocker, your migraines should go away. Best of luck with your adderall,
AndrewB
poster:AndrewB
thread:31674
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000429/msgs/31686.html