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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by KarenB on April 29, 2000, at 11:22:38
My head is pounding. This has been going on for almost two weeks now and has gotten worse. It's a migraine alright - I'm familiar enough with the symptoms to know that I don't need to rush to the hospital. But, I just feel like crying because I am afraid it is most probably from the use of Ritalin and now Adderall that the headaches have been triggered. So, here I am once again, probably unable to take that which could help me the most. I am so tired of this. I just want to feel "normal," whatever that is. I trust everyone is with me in this thinking.
When I was taking Amineptine plus Sulpiride, I rarely got a headache. Is this because of the Sulpiride's action or because it completely stopped my menses and therefore my hormonal balance was different (like, BETTER??)? Maybe both? Then, would the addition of a neuroleptic possibly be in order to counteract this headache machine?? My doctor here in Denver can not concieve of why I was ever on a neuroleptic in the first place.
I have been re-diagnosed with ADD with depression and am on Adderall and Buspar. Hard to tell with the Buspar yet but the Adderall certainly helps with energy and focus BUT>>> THE PAIN FACTOR!!!!! I didn't take the Adderall this morning because I am thinking it may perpetuate the headache.
Anybody got anything to share? I feel like I've been run over by a truck. I am getting that familiar, hopeless feeling again.
Karen
Posted by saint james on April 29, 2000, at 12:21:24
In reply to Migraines from stims? (My Achy, Breaky Head), posted by KarenB on April 29, 2000, at 11:22:38
> My head is pounding. This has been going on for almost two weeks now and has gotten worse. It's a migraine alright - I'm familiar enough with the symptoms to know that I don't need to rush to the hospital.
James here....
Don't take the stims for a day of so and see if the migraines stop. If they do and then start again when you restart the stims you will have your answer.
james
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
Posted by KarenB on April 29, 2000, at 18:13:32
In reply to Re: Migraines from stims? (My Achy, Breaky Head), posted by AndrewB on April 29, 2000, at 13:28:23
Thanks, both of you.
James, I have stopped the Adderall and will see if the headache goes away, then try to go back on, as you suggest. If it does, I will wrestle the Beta Blocker from my pdoc (thanks for the info Andrew!), who thinks I need to go to my family doc regarding headaches. If they are indeed triggered by medication HE has prescribed, though, I am going to hold him responsible;^)
James, BTW, OF COURSE I know why they say dogs circle before they lie down. Did you really think I was serious about the OCD? I will still assert that is not a fact but rather a weak hypothesis...kind of like the "theory" of evolution.
Hee hee...
Karen
Posted by dove on May 1, 2000, at 13:09:52
In reply to Re: Migraines - Andrew/James, posted by KarenB on April 29, 2000, at 18:13:32
I have migraines accompanied by black-outs (fainting) and I have taken a calcium-channel-blocker (Verapamil) and Amitriptyline (Elavil) which have handled those buggers quite well. I am also ADHD, OCD, and few others, and I take 40 mgs of Adderall every day. Ritalin was much harder on me than the Adderall, but when the Adderall starts to wear off I can distinctly sense the migraine trying to emerge. I have not tried a beta-blocker, so, you'll have to keep us updated on how they do battle against the pain. Best wishes to you.
dove
Posted by KarenB on May 2, 2000, at 20:04:23
In reply to Re: Migraines , posted by dove on May 1, 2000, at 13:09:52
Andrew,
My pdoc would not have anything to do with my headache - "not his area of expertise." I am really starting to have an active dislike for this guy. Anyway, I was able to get in to see my family doc today and he prescribed the beta blocker (Inderal) and I took my first dose about an hour ago. I don't have a headache right now, for the first time in two weeks:) Now, if the depression would just lift...
Thanks so much for your help.
Karen
Posted by lizzie on May 3, 2000, at 10:48:19
In reply to Re: Migraines - Thanks, Andrew! , posted by KarenB on May 2, 2000, at 20:04:23
I have had migraines for ages --sorry to say
inderal did nothing for them. I take
25 mgs of elavil at night and that helped
a little--between that and imitrex things
were ok-- then i started zoloft and neurontin
(the neurontin to stop the hypomania from
the zoloft) and BOOM no more migraines!!
it's totally awesome. I have heard of people using
neurontin for migraines before but had
never thought that mine warranted an anticonvulsant.I recommend it and definintely imitrex (or
another sumatriptan...they work well on
migraines)
This is the end of the thread.
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