Memantine?

[tieaknot]

Hi! I was wondering if anyone is taking memantine? (Brand name Namenda in the US).

I am planning to try it again for my migraines/auras and started researching again (at 4 am due to my fun insomnia). Apparently there is a correlation between migraines and Alzheimer’s which got me googling studies again.

It seems to be showing some promise as a preventative for neuronal damage associated with dementia/Alzheimer’s. Whenever I see something like this I start thinking “I wonder if it might help ALD”.

As a Selective NMDA receptor antagonist, it seems to counteract the excess glutamate that can damage neurons (glutamate is my major migraine trigger too). It looks like it MIGHT be protective of the white matter when taken as a preventative?? Especially along with antioxidants. Also it may stimukate BDNF (brain derived neurotrophic factor...which stimulates new neurons and connections) so although it doesn’t seem to target the source of ALD, any neuroprotection is a good thing in my book!

I don’t tolerate most medicines and stopped taking it after a few weeks due to some side effect or another but this new info might be reason enough for me to try to stick it out longer!

Just wondering if anyone else is trying this off label?

I’ll report back if I find any changes.

[monkeybus]

One look at the side-effects is enough to swear me off this medicine. Even if it was on general prescription for AMN.

Migraines are, to put it mildly, bad. The auras alone are enough to drive me crazy.

Have you tried any other migraine meds? I haven't. I just endure. Mercifully, only occasionally.

Back when my auras were cranking up, I seriously looked into it. Very low doses of LSD and Psilocybin have plenty of evidence for halting both migraines and cluster headaches. Talking about extremely low doses here, not hearing colours and melting into the carpet. That'd either be hell on earth, or a good night in.

[tieaknot in reply to monkeybus]

I’m searching for my holy grail! Lol something that will help my migraines, my amn pain and neuropathy, mood, sleep, etc. and not give me bad side effects. Lol

I’ve tried just about everything and none of them help the migraines. Haven’t tried the new monoclonal antibody meds...they scare me and constipation is a major SE.

Well one med did help...lamotrigine...antiseizure and bipolar med worked really well for my auras and mood too (I don’t have bipolar). But again...side effects hit and I got a rash which was probably benign but could be deadly type. So...no more.

It was that med that got me looking into other NMDAR antagonists.

Memantine is supposed to be pretty tolerable and safe compared to the others.

I used to get about 16-20 aura/migraine days a month. I’m down to about 6-8 bad ones since getting rid of the hormone swings...but 6-8 is still unbearable. (They started right after I had aorta surgery in the ICU and it was a few days after my AMN diagnosis while I was waiting for my son to be tested...a little stress??) anyway when the bad ones hit, it’s like I’m having a stroke...the headache can be awful but that’s not the worst part of them for me, so I am willing to try most meds, at least once.

I really really want to try Psilocybin at any dose if it becomes legal and in a safe setting (John’s Hopkins has a whole unit studying it!) or ketamine any other psychedelics that show potential.

I really do believe those would be the holy grail for me (migraines, aura, pain, depression, anxiety, etc.)

Maybe not helping the amn stuff but every bit of relief would be welcome!

Sorry if I got off topic!

Thanks!

[monkeybus in reply to tieaknot]

If your quest is the Holy Grail then psychedelics are just the ticket.

Legality aside, you can grow mushrooms in about six weeks, and it's easy. Like, really easy.

shroomery.org

Plenty of space cadets on The Shroomery spouting nonsense. Didn't Oregon just legalise?

The doses to halt migraines are miniscule. Doubt you'd need any professional help to guide you through your trip.

6-8 auras is unacceptable. When you consider how US doctors were handing out opiates like candy for mild to moderate pain.

I grew mushrooms when I was a youth. Happy days. Still have all the kit. My wife is on at me to bin it. In the back of my mind is if my auras ramp up, I may need. Had a bad one just before my seizure two weeks ago. Just remembered that.

A troubled cure for a troubled mind.

Have you tried Imitrex?

[tieaknot in reply to monkeybus]

Imitrex just makes me barf and get dizzy and then more depressed the next day (serotonin depletion rebound?)

Relpax is a little bit better.

I sent you a private message too.