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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2003 >> Is Ritalin Common?
        
(Message started by: chrismo on May 4^th, 2003, 11:26pm)

Title: Is Ritalin Common?
Post by chrismo on May 4^th, 2003, 11:26pm

After suggesting Ritalin to my Neurologist he nearly laughed in my face as if he had never heard of it to treat cluster headaches. I guess what I am trying to get find out is if Ritalin is now a common treatment for cluster headaches. After Dr. Mellicks first studies in 1998 has Ritalin come to be something used quite often? If so please tell me how and why my neuro was such an ass about it!

Title: Re: Is Ritalin Common?
Post by brewcrew on May 5^th, 2003, 6:28pm

Maybe he was an ass because, well, because he's an ass. With some folks it's "you can take the boy out of the trailer park, but you can't take the trailer park out of the boy."

I read a study back in 1998 that showed some promise for use of Ritalin in the treatment of cluster headaches, but it was a terribly small study - something like two or three subjects. You have to understand that Ritalin is a VERY powerful amphetamine, and as such is suject to a high level of abuse. This is most likely why your neuro reacted the way he did.

I don't think it's a very common treatment. If you like, I will post the source of the study I read, hopefully with a link. It'll have to wait until I return to the office tomorrow.

Bill

Title: Re: Is Ritalin Common?
Post by eyes_afire on May 5^th, 2003, 7:41pm

Seriously, you may want to check the archives. There are alot of old posts about Ritalin. If memory serves me, some claimed to be helped by it. For me, I've never aborted or prevented a CH with Ritalin, but I believe it sometimes helps with shadows a bit. You'll probably have a hard time finding a doc willing to prescribe it because it is a schedule II controlled substance (along with amphetamines and cocaine).

Title: Re: Is Ritalin Common?
Post by Karla on May 5^th, 2003, 7:42pm

The ha specialist I saw said ritalin was not a viable alternative in dealing with ch. I have not heard it mentioned here as a medicine that has been used by anyone. If it has, it has only been by a handfull. Verapamil, lithium, predisone, topamax etc. are more popular alternatives.

Title: Re: Is Ritalin Common?
Post by brewcrew on May 6^th, 2003, 12:00pm

Chrismo - http://clusterheadaches.com/wwwboard/messages/1771.html

Here is the link to the Mellick study.

Title: Re: Is Ritalin Common?
Post by brewcrew on May 6^th, 2003, 12:05pm

By the way, I was wrong. It was a study done on ONE subject. Even worse than I remembered.

My gut tells me that you will be barking up the wrong tree with Ritalin. What the heck - give it a try if you can find someone to prescribe it, but don't get your hopes up.

Bill

Title: Re: Is Ritalin Common?
Post by Svenn on May 6^th, 2003, 3:55pm

as far as i know Ritalin is NOT a known medical treatment for cluster,but its well known medical treatment for those hyperactive kids.

but then again if you can find a doc that can give you this and its working then why not

Svenn

Title: Re: Is Ritalin Common?
Post by Wendy1 on May 8^th, 2003, 9:44am

Couple of years ago, when I was going to Diamond Headache in Chicago, the doc there prescribed Ritalin for my cluster. However, I never got it filled as I was a little skeptical, so I can't help you there. Just thought I'd let you know that some h/a docs seem to think it is a viable resource..... for what's it's worth.