Evidence that migraine headaches in women may be related to a common defect in the sympathetic nervous system as evidenced by marked improvement following treatment with sympathomimetic amines.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To describe a novel therapy for women with intractable migraine headaches.

METHODS:

Dextroamphetamine sulfate was prescribed to a 33-year-old woman with intractable migraine headaches resistant to standard therapy. Her only abnormality noted was unexplained weight gain. She failed a water load test.

RESULTS:

The headaches were 100% relieved by dextroamphetamine sulfate (Spansule - 45 mg/day).

CONCLUSIONS:

Intractable migraine headaches can be added to the list of various pain syndromes related to a disorder of the sympathetic nervous system resistant to standard therapy but showing dramatic improvement with treatment with sympathomimetic amines.

• Authors: J H Check, R Cohen, D Check
• Journal: Clinical and experimental obstetrics & gynecology (Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol) Vol. 38 Issue 2 Pg. 180-1 ( 2011) ISSN: 0390-6663 [Print] Singapore
• PMID: 21793286 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Sympathomimetics
• Dextroamphetamine

Topics

• Adult
• Autonomic Nervous System Diseases (complications, drug therapy)
• Dextroamphetamine (therapeutic use)
• Edema (drug therapy)
• Female
• Humans
• Migraine Disorders (drug therapy, etiology)
• Sympathomimetics (therapeutic use)
• Weight Gain