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Amphetamine Phenomenon With Neurological Disorder

Y

yteek

Bluelighter
Joined
Dec 13, 2011
Messages
633
Alright, starting off with some background info, I have a neurological disorder known as dystonia.

Now, I really don't feel like explaining it through and through but a quick google search will leave you with an idea on the condition.

Recently, I tried two forms of amphetamine medications, those being, Adderall and Vyvanse. I noticed that after taking it, the muscle tension, nearly disappeared, it was like a miracle. Now, I do suffer from anxiety, and I thought perhaps the reason of it's effectiveness is because a reduction in anxiety to some degree, taking into consideration the mind and body connection, it seemed plausible.

Now, it is thought that some forms of dystonia are due to complications with dopamine and this leads me to believe perhaps that the amphetamine's action on dopamine in the brain, interacted in a way that diminished my symptoms.

In the past I've noticed drugs like opiates/opioids also resulted in a reduction in symptoms,not to the extent of the two stimulants mentioned above, but still noticeable. Now,looking back at that, knowing that these drugs as well interact with dopamine levels in the brain, perhaps that could be the reason for their effectiveness. Still, with this experience, can not tell if it is because of the reduction in stress and anxiety or if there is something more to it.

Now, I'm left genuinely curious and puzzled as to why this phenomenon occurs. Part of me would like to continue taking the pharmaceutical stimulants on the behalf of the normality they brought to me, but then again, it is said that these drugs can worsen or even cause neurological disorders.

Any input, info, and other useful comments....as always, greatly appreciated.
 
not surprised a movement disorder is related to dopamine. reminds me of parkinsons which is often treated with da drugs that increase da. except dystonia is said to be in the basal ganglia and parkinsons in the substantia ganglia..and well theyre completely different but i couldnt help but make that connection

i did a quick wiki on dopamine related dystonia (genetic) and it explained why l dopa helped. theres no source on this though

"or example, in those with DRD, symptoms typically dramatically improve with low-dose administration of levodopa (L-dopa). L-DOPA exists as a biochemically significant metabolite of the amino acid phenylalanine, as well as a biological precursor of the catecholamine dopamine, a neurotransmitter. (Neurotransmitters are naturally produced molecules that may be sequestered following the propagation of an action potential down a nerve towards the axon terminal, which in turn may cross the synaptic junction between neurons, enabling neurons to communicate in a variety of ways.) Low-dose L-dopa usually results in near-complete or total reversal of all associated symptoms for these patients. In addition, the effectiveness of such therapy is typically long term, without the complications that often occur for those with Parkinson's disease who undergo L-dopa treatment. Thus, most experts indicate that this disorder is most appropriately known as dopa-responsive dystonia (DRD)."
 
Appreciate your comment lalune.

Anyone else care to touch on the subject?
 
Just found this via search... yteek, if you are still reading:

I have DRD (and also pretty much the same problems and reactions you described). You should REALLY see a doctor and try l-dopa as medication, most likely it will help you a lot, if you are lucky you'll even recover completely.
 
Per most classifications, the substantia nigra is part of the basal ganglia, or at the very least intimately involved in its function, so it's no wonder that dopaminergic agents help. A selective dopaminergic agonist might be more sustainable than stimulant medication in the long run (and MAYBE with fewer side-effects), but therapeutic amphetamine should be sustainable if you keep the doses low.

You should REALLY see a doctor and try l-dopa as medication
Click to expand...

L-dopa is really quite burly in terms of side-effects and ultimately unsustainable, so I'd be wary of it (without ruling it out a priori though). Seeing a doctor is a good idea though.

ebola
 
ebola? said:
L-dopa is really quite burly in terms of side-effects and ultimately unsustainable, so I'd be wary of it (without ruling it out a priori though). Seeing a doctor is a good idea though.

ebola
Click to expand...

That's true for people with parkinson's, but for people with DRD (dopa responsive dystonia), L-Dopa is the medication of choice, usually without any long-term side effects at all.

Edit: I'd just like to add that afaik just trying l-dopa is not dangerous. On the other hand, it's a very easy way to find out more about your disease. I've waited years after I had the idea to ask my doctor about and I don't want anyone else to make the same mistake.
 
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Interesting. Have you ever taken antipsychotic drugs, and if so, what effect did they have on your condition?

As others said, L-DOPA could help potentially but it's not particularly sustainable. Not sure whether taking something like amphetamine (or maybe even ritalin) would be better or worse long term.
 
Happy Wanderer said:
That's true for people with parkinson's, but for people with DRD (dopa responsive dystonia), L-Dopa is the medication of choice, usually without any long-term side effects at all.
Click to expand...

And l-dopa remains a rather common for treatment of Parkinsons too, and with good reason; sometimes unique efficacy is worth the entailed side effects. One difference is that for Parkinsons sufferers, you have localized wholesale neuronal death, so classical stimulants aren't too effective in treating the disorder for too long. I wouldn't put l-dopa off the table, but I wouldn't use it as a first resort either.

naon said:
As others said, L-DOPA could help potentially but it's not particularly sustainable.
Click to expand...

Well put.

ebola
 
This is it. I found it. I found out what I have...

Thank you so much for leading me to the illness that I am forced to posses. After reading about Dopamine Dystonia Sydrome. It is definitely what I have. My symptoms always get worse as the day goes on, I have the Achilles tendon, my muscles are always really shaky, I never show much facial expression- if any at all. I also have severe muscle tightness and soreness which leads me to experience excruciatingly painful restless legs. I can't function socially, I have all the depression and anxiety issues, and on top of that I have horrible issues with my feet, and REM sleep issues.

Seriously, this is it... I'm exactly the same way with the Amphetamine too. I can't function without it. If I'm not being treated with a dopaminergic drug - I have a total failure in the ability to thrive. Can you tell me more about your symptoms? and what you've experienced and what helps? I'd really love to hear all about it.

This really makes me wonder if L-DOPA would be a better treatment option for me....
 
Hey SwampFox56,

First thing is to see a doctor, a neurologist.
L-Dopa treatment works in both parkinson's and DRD. With DRD usually you would have to take it much less frequent, because your body just doesn't produce enough dopamine, but it can still be stored (which isn't the case in parkinson's)
There's a method called DATSCAN which is one way to see differentiate both aforementioned diseases. Also your genetics could be testet for mutations in genes related to dopamine synthesis.
Anyway, first see a doctor and tell him or her about this, because DRD is a rare disease. If you have the possibility, see a specialist for movement disorders.

If you happen to have DRD, that would be good news, because it's relatively easy to treat.
You would start L-Dopa treatment and probably see a reaction in the first days, after that it makes some time for the full effect to set in.
With some people symptoms completely go away, for me, they didn't (but I'm much better now).
As an additional treatment, anticholinergics (Artane) oder dopamineagonists can be tried.

I also do occupational therapy (good thing).
 
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I never would want to take L Dopa, or really anything daily.


I live half decent life, try to moderate my stressors, but yeah....anyways.

Just thought I would ask about this.
 
What I like about l-dopa is that it works very fast, so I can take it when my symptoms are worse. A doc will tell you to take it daily, but I just take it when I feel the worst.

I work unpredictable shifts, depending on orders, and if I gotta run an extra four hours or something stupid like that I'll usually take a Sinemet. Occasionally if it's around I'll take some form of amphetamine, but the benefits for that day aren't worth the issues I have the next day. I'm pretty sensitive to amphetamines, I'll usually take half a thirty xr or a 50 vyvanse and its moderately strong. Actually the 50mg vyvanse is too strong. If I take a day or two in a row, when I stop taking it, the next day is pretty rough. Going back at least three generations on my mother's side we have dystonia. It was really bad when I was little, got better when I was in college, but it's slowly getting worse, but that's probably related to the manganese.

My mother currently gets it really bad, and my grandfather would not be able to drive at times because of it. I thought the condition was only passed to males, but my mother has complained of it for quite a while, and my brother has pretty bad ET, but it's hard for me to know how much of that is alcohol related.
 
Hammilton said:
What I like about l-dopa is that it works very fast, so I can take it when my symptoms are worse. A doc will tell you to take it daily, but I just take it when I feel the worst.

I work unpredictable shifts, depending on orders, and if I gotta run an extra four hours or something stupid like that I'll usually take a Sinemet. Occasionally if it's around I'll take some form of amphetamine, but the benefits for that day aren't worth the issues I have the next day. I'm pretty sensitive to amphetamines, I'll usually take half a thirty xr or a 50 vyvanse and its moderately strong. Actually the 50mg vyvanse is too strong. If I take a day or two in a row, when I stop taking it, the next day is pretty rough. Going back at least three generations on my mother's side we have dystonia. It was really bad when I was little, got better when I was in college, but it's slowly getting worse, but that's probably related to the manganese.

My mother currently gets it really bad, and my grandfather would not be able to drive at times because of it. I thought the condition was only passed to males, but my mother has complained of it for quite a while, and my brother has pretty bad ET, but it's hard for me to know how much of that is alcohol related.
Click to expand...

If you don't mind me asking, what are your symptoms like and how bad is it?


I will say this on a side note, weed works horribly for me, mostly cause I get anxiety from it, and then with added stress plus dystonia, it is a recipe for disaster, I nearly turn into Michael J Fox.
 
Hammilton said:
I'll usually take half a thirty xr or a 50 vyvanse and its moderately strong. Actually the 50mg vyvanse is too strong.
Click to expand...

Haha! Good ol' Vyvanse :) I was on it for around 6 months. It was okay, at least not different than any other stimulant ADHD med. But the peak effects took WAY too long to come on. So when I first started taking it - I'd down nearly 150 milligrams of it and be freaking out by the time the day was over. The one good thing about Vyvanse was the fact that, that made me stop abusing my prescription stimulants.

Then I was put back on Adderall - currently on 40 milligrams up to 4 times a day as needed. I usually never take that much, though. I usually only take half a twenty immediately after I get up, then the other half of that twenty anywhere from 2 - 6 hours later. Depending on what I'm doing (like if I'm at work) I may take another 10 milligrams when I can start to feel the rebound of the Adderall waring off - but that's usually never. Usually, if I'm up that long, I don't want to take Adderall anyways. Let me tell ya - taking stimulants when you've been up for longer than 1 day is always something I regret doing. Usually ends up with me having psychotic symptoms which results in a panic attack.

So I avoid all stimulants when I've been unable to sleep (either because my RLS was really getting to me, my sleep meds ran out, or I'm manic) or else it usual results in extreme paranoia, hallucinations, and very, very, very bad anxiety about anything that bothers me.

When I've had those episodes - I've screamed at people for things that aren't even things. Like pen caps without pens, leaving the lights on, and not recycling something.
 
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