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.

摘要

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.