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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 Racer on March 3, 2006, at 13:40:05
My doctor prescribed Ritalin for me a week ago, and it's helping so far, as far as I can tell. There are two drawbacks so far: one, I had to reduce my Wellbutrin, which had been helping me reduce my smoking. I really liked that, and felt as though I might FINALLY be able to quit. So I wasn't real happy about reducing it, since it did mean that my urge to smoke -- and the number of cigarettes I do smoke -- had increased.
The other problem, though, is headaches: they're not migraines, but they hurt so badly they're making me nauseous. And the headaches are going to mean I can't take the Ritalin, if they don't go away and go away fast.
I don't want to stop the Ritalin -- it's boosted me out of depression, into feeling like myself. It's reduced my anxiety. It's certainly reduced the Monkey Brain problems I get. And it's helped me access the energy I have, which had felt bottled up inside me for so long. The only downsides are the smoking, which I guess I can live with; the need for a nap midday, which I can deal with by splitting the dose differently; it's stimulating my appetite a LOT; and the headaches. The only one of those that is a deal-killer is the headaches, so that's what I want to know about.
First, if you had headaches from Ritalin, did they go away? If so, I'll give it a couple of weeks and see. I think I can get through that.
Second, does anyone know if another stimulant would maybe give similar benefits without the headaches? Maybe dexadrine? Or whatever else is out there? This morning, I took 1/2 a 5mg tablet -- 2.5mg, and that's enough to start the headache up again, although it just didn't go away from yesterday. The 2.5 isn't enough, but the headache is so much worse from the 5mg. {sigh} Please tell me it's either gonna go away or dexadrine would be better?
Also, my T got a call from the pdoc, who told her that there was a reason she prescribed Ritalin rather than dexadrine. Can anyone think what it might have been? Would dexadrine be more dangerous with the ED history? Or more problematic with blood pressure? Anything anyone can think of? (And yes -- I will ask about it at my next appointment. And will also call her today to ask her about the headaches.)
Thanks!
Posted by Maxime on March 4, 2006, at 11:51:36
In reply to Stimulants and headaches?, posted by Racer on March 3, 2006, at 13:40:05
Hi Racer. I always get a bit of headache with stimulants. But since they make me feel better, I put up with it. But it sounds like your headaches are pretty bad. Doctors just don't like to prescribe dexedrine and adderall. They always try Provigil and ritalin first. Ritalin isn't a pure stimulant like Dexedrine and Adderall.
Maybe you should try the Ritalin SR and see if you can get the same benefits without the headache.
BTW, does the headache go away as the Ritalin wears off? Or does it stay with you all day?
Maxime
> My doctor prescribed Ritalin for me a week ago, and it's helping so far, as far as I can tell. There are two drawbacks so far: one, I had to reduce my Wellbutrin, which had been helping me reduce my smoking. I really liked that, and felt as though I might FINALLY be able to quit. So I wasn't real happy about reducing it, since it did mean that my urge to smoke -- and the number of cigarettes I do smoke -- had increased.
>
> The other problem, though, is headaches: they're not migraines, but they hurt so badly they're making me nauseous. And the headaches are going to mean I can't take the Ritalin, if they don't go away and go away fast.
>
> I don't want to stop the Ritalin -- it's boosted me out of depression, into feeling like myself. It's reduced my anxiety. It's certainly reduced the Monkey Brain problems I get. And it's helped me access the energy I have, which had felt bottled up inside me for so long. The only downsides are the smoking, which I guess I can live with; the need for a nap midday, which I can deal with by splitting the dose differently; it's stimulating my appetite a LOT; and the headaches. The only one of those that is a deal-killer is the headaches, so that's what I want to know about.
>
> First, if you had headaches from Ritalin, did they go away? If so, I'll give it a couple of weeks and see. I think I can get through that.
>
> Second, does anyone know if another stimulant would maybe give similar benefits without the headaches? Maybe dexadrine? Or whatever else is out there? This morning, I took 1/2 a 5mg tablet -- 2.5mg, and that's enough to start the headache up again, although it just didn't go away from yesterday. The 2.5 isn't enough, but the headache is so much worse from the 5mg. {sigh} Please tell me it's either gonna go away or dexadrine would be better?
>
> Also, my T got a call from the pdoc, who told her that there was a reason she prescribed Ritalin rather than dexadrine. Can anyone think what it might have been? Would dexadrine be more dangerous with the ED history? Or more problematic with blood pressure? Anything anyone can think of? (And yes -- I will ask about it at my next appointment. And will also call her today to ask her about the headaches.)
>
> Thanks!
Posted by Racer on March 4, 2006, at 13:55:25
In reply to Re: Stimulants and headaches? » Racer, posted by Maxime on March 4, 2006, at 11:51:36
Oh, Maxie -- it lasts. And it lasts. And because of the surgery in two weeks, I can't take aspirin or ibuprophen, and Tylenol ain't touching it. I had the worst one on Thursday, when I took the full dose, but that was also my best day yet. That headache, though, lasted through yesterday, and into last night. (I did take the half dose yesterday, with not as much benefit. Was the reduced benefit the reduced dose? Or just that it's hard to feel much better with that sort of headache? Grrr. Hate the variables...)
The doctor didn't get back to me, but I will ask her about dexedrine and/or Adderall. Do you have a preference? Do you have a reason for that preference?
And for goodness sake, why would she prefer Ritalin for me, when apparently she prescribes dexedrine for other patients? Grrr.
Posted by Maxime on March 4, 2006, at 17:05:20
In reply to Re: Stimulants and headaches?, posted by Racer on March 4, 2006, at 13:55:25
Maybe it is because of your eating disorder that she didn't prescribe dexedrine. I found Adderall XR the smoothest for me. But some people find the Dexedrine spansules better. For me Adderall didn't give me that awful crash that I got from both forms of Ritalin and Dexedrine. And I never had an appetite so the Adderall didn't make it worse. Some people take .5 of Klonopin with the ritalin and other stims, mainly because if the headaches. Now that I think about it I was popping a lot of Aleve when I was on it.
Maxime
> Oh, Maxie -- it lasts. And it lasts. And because of the surgery in two weeks, I can't take aspirin or ibuprophen, and Tylenol ain't touching it. I had the worst one on Thursday, when I took the full dose, but that was also my best day yet. That headache, though, lasted through yesterday, and into last night. (I did take the half dose yesterday, with not as much benefit. Was the reduced benefit the reduced dose? Or just that it's hard to feel much better with that sort of headache? Grrr. Hate the variables...)
>
> The doctor didn't get back to me, but I will ask her about dexedrine and/or Adderall. Do you have a preference? Do you have a reason for that preference?
>
> And for goodness sake, why would she prefer Ritalin for me, when apparently she prescribes dexedrine for other patients? Grrr.
Posted by Racer on March 4, 2006, at 20:39:37
In reply to Re: Stimulants and headaches? » Racer, posted by Maxime on March 4, 2006, at 17:05:20
> Maybe it is because of your eating disorder that she didn't prescribe dexedrine. I found Adderall XR the smoothest for me. But some people find the Dexedrine spansules better. For me Adderall didn't give me that awful crash that I got from both forms of Ritalin and Dexedrine. And I never had an appetite so the Adderall didn't make it worse.
>
> Maxime
>
>
> >Thanks, Maxie. I will ask her about Adderall and/or dexedrine next time I see her, or when/if she returns my call from the other day. On the Ritalin, I feel much more like myself. My GOOD self, too, not necessarily my anorexic self.
Actually, the appetite thing is scary for me right now -- it's stimulating it, and I want to eat everything in sight. Tell the cats to get out of the way, before I start chewing on them...
And I read your post below. I'm so glad you're back with a trusted and respectful pdoc. And I hope it gives you more hope.
Posted by Maxime on March 5, 2006, at 10:03:44
In reply to Re: Stimulants and headaches? » Maxime, posted by Racer on March 4, 2006, at 20:39:37
Yeah, thanks. I trusted him until he gave me 8 times the starting dose of Mirapex!!!
Oh well.
I hope you find something that helps you without the headaches. :-)
Maxime
>
> And I read your post below. I'm so glad you're back with a trusted and respectful pdoc. And I hope it gives you more hope.
Posted by utopizen on March 8, 2006, at 10:48:22
In reply to Re: Stimulants and headaches? » Racer, posted by Maxime on March 4, 2006, at 11:51:36
Amphetamines have a long history of being effective against migraine headaches.
Perhaps, if you are on a cocktail, you are experiencing a effect from a combination of the amphetamine and other drugs. I had headaches on Effexor + Adderall in the past.
Good luck.
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