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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> Can someone tell me about Ritalin?
        
(Message started by: nani on Sep 16^th, 2004, 10:57pm)

Title: Can someone tell me about Ritalin?
Post by nani on Sep 16^th, 2004, 10:57pm

I was looking at the medication survey and noticed that some people used Ritalin as a prevent. Can someone tell me about that or point me in the right direction to find out. I was recently diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed Concerta 54mg ER. I haven't taken it much for two reasons: 1. I'm on Neurontin most of the time for clusters and it seemed to me they would cancel each other out 2. I'm not currently taking any blood pressure meds(like propanalol-which a doc gave me as a prevent) and my blood pressure is a little high. Ritalin would raise it more right? I don't know why I never discussed the CH with the ADHD doc - [smiley=huh.gif]

Title: Re: Can someone tell me about Ritalin?
Post by Lizzie2 on Sep 16^th, 2004, 11:02pm

I take concerta as well. I took it at the same time as neurontin...no problems there. I would check into the blood pressure stuff though before taking it. Concerta helps me a lot with ADD (I don't have the H part!)

Anyhow...I don't believe ritalin is a preventative for clusters at all. I've heard people mention that before, but I don't really buy it. It doesn't prevent them for me at all, I will say that much! It does help me with the ADD though, which I greatly appreciate.

Title: Re: Can someone tell me about Ritalin?
Post by eyes_afire on Sep 16^th, 2004, 11:31pm

If you check into the archives, there were some people that apparently had some benefit from Ritalin. Enough to create a ripple on CH.com. Speaking from experience, it did not have a major impact on my CH. I think, perhaps, maybe... it had only helped diminish the shadows... a wee bit.

--- Steve

Title: Re: Can someone tell me about Ritalin?
Post by Bob_Johnson on Sep 17^th, 2004, 4:50am

This from www.headachedrugs.com; use search function.

"Third line preventive medications include; IV dyhydroergotamine (DHE) given repetitively, and cocaine drops used intranasally on a daily basis.

Miscellaneous therapies that are occasionally helpful for episodic clusters include: phenelzine (Nardil), cyproheptadine (Periactin), nifedipine (Procardia), beta blockers such as propranolol (Inderal), SSRI's (Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil), or methylphenidate (Ritalin). "

This would be a med to use only after trying the more effective preventive meds.

Title: Re: Can someone tell me about Ritalin?
Post by NewHeadPLZ on Sep 17^th, 2004, 9:42pm

After reading about Ritalin a few years back, I tried it. Had a stepson on it so I decided why not. Didn't do anything but trigger one for me

Title: Re: Can someone tell me about Ritalin?
Post by forgetfulnot on Sep 17^th, 2004, 11:29pm

Yes, don't take it, you will be sorry.

Lee

Title: Re: Can someone tell me about Ritalin?
Post by bluesunshine on Sep 18^th, 2004, 3:19am

i took it recreationnally in the early 90"s when playing with my music band. Got anxiety, dry throath, speedy, and nothing more (was not a CHead at that time).

Title: Re: Can someone tell me about Ritalin?
Post by nani on Sep 18^th, 2004, 11:16am

Thanks for your responses. I should share what happened yesterday. I'm a chronic, but have episodes where the pain is more frequent and intense. The last 3 weeks have been pretty bad. I've been getting Kip 6-7 HA several times a day, and not getting much done. I thought I might try a concerta so I could at least focus and accomplish something. I've also been on 300mg Neurontin 3X day for the clusters. 1 hour after taking the Concerta, I felt pretty strange - 2hours later I got hit with a kip 9 for 20 minutes (I havent had a 9 since 2000). for the next 6 hours I musta got hit with kip 8/9 about 20 times! :'( I ended up taking an imitrex last night, woke up 3 times with kip 6's for a few minutes each.(I almost never get awakened by th HAs) and feel like I'm totally hungover and sore today. So far today I've only had a couple of kip 4s. I wont be trying any concerta again until this nasty cycle is over.