Taking amphetamines with PCS, what are the dangers?
 

Hey, just writing this here because I couldn't find anything on the internet about it. This has been suggested to me by a doctor (she said 5mg of"dextroamphetamines or Methylphenidates") after I mentioned low energy/bad attention span and having ADD. I asked her if there's any dangers and she said it may have increased side effects.

I dunno, I'm still a little suspicious about it. It's speed, right? Won't speeding up the function of my brain stress it out and cause further injury? All I found out about it was a topic on another forum and they didn't really have any answer about it.

Eddy,

Yes, yes, yes.

You are already becoming one of the PCS crowd who understand concussion better than most doctors.

Good for you, buddy.

ADD meds are not even a safe idea for healthy brains with ADD.

This is just my opinion, but it probably is not a good idea to take the amphetamines. It sounds like your doc is another clueless doctor who doesn't now what to do with you, so she decides to shove amphetamines down your throat.

Others may be more knowledgeable on this subject than I am, but from what I have heard and read, amphetamines, which are speed, are not good for an injured brain. They are also not good for a body that has been traumatized. You could have some problems with your HPA axis and taking amphetamines will make that problem worse. Also, you had better make sure your cardiovascular system is up to snuff before taking these as they can cause heart attacks in people with weak hearts. They even came out with a study that showed people who used ritallin for more long periods of time were 65% more likely then the normal population to develop cardiovascular disease.

So, I would definitely proceed with caution on this one.

I have wondered is ADD stimulants would help with the focus/attention issues that resulted from my daughter's concussion. If the dopamine levels are low, then I'd think a stimulant would help. But I agree, it does seem counter intutive if your supposed to rest your brain.

My daugher ARNP also told me that the side effects of medications can be worse in people with PCS.

Asking this in google now brings this topic as the first result. Lol.

You'd think that someone out there would have done research on the effects of amphetamines on individuals like us. :\

Like the dangers of sports players taking ADD prescription drugs, you know?

My daughter's psychologist and neurologist went back and forth about this treatment option to help with attention issues. The neuro said "no way" for the main reason that they can actually INCREASE headaches. I'm not a doctor, but it doesn't make sense to me to force your brain to think faster than it wants to if it is injured. It's already working really hard to heal.