Has anyone ever heard of Ecstasy use resulting in migraines?

[RoboShindo]

Swim had never tried E's until about 3 weeks ago, he took one at 9pm, one at ten pm and had a double vodka and coke to wash the second down, he drank decent amounts of drinks (cola and water) throughout the night and felt great. He woke up the next morning with his body feeling somewhat tired but his mind feeling great and other than one day of what could only be described as mild lethargy, he was back to his normal self.

Fast forward to two weeks later, and Swim was ready to try them for a second time. These were different styled pills to the first ones (the first were white circles with a Euro symbol on them, the second were white circles with a heart symbol on them, If location is of an interest to you, They certainly aren't from the Yorkshire or Derbyshire Areas of the UK) Anyway, tonight he took three of the White Heart pills, his friend (a regular E-hound) took 5 over the course of the night, swim took one at 9.45pm, one at 10.15pm and one at 11pm. He was still feeling the effects at 6am but fell asleep for half an hour and when awaking at 7am for a piss, the effects were pretty much gone (hence the ability to pee returning). Anyway, when he woke the next day properly, at around 2pm, he felt good as ever, if again, a little tired. As the night came on, he started feeling incredibly tired and an awful pain in his head. This pain reoccured on the Monday night (the first was a thursday) and again on the tuesday night, but this time without the tiredness. He couldn't get rid of the pain using Paracetomol, Sinutabs (sinus pain relief tablets) nor co-codamol and has no other way to describe it other than a migraine. Could this be a result of the E or a mere coincedence? Swim hasn't suffered migraines since he was around 9 years old (10 years ago).

One thing to note is that swim realises they might not have been E on the second time, but his friend who used to take them weekly had no different effects or lasting hangovers than any other time he takes E. and two other friends who took the pills from the same batch the night before felt fine. The only thing swim can think of is taking 3 caused it, as its more stress than the body could handle, for a second time, but this doesn't explain the recurring headpains.

Any help would be very, VERY much appreciated. Thankyou.

[Philomel]

SWIM finds that some pills result in a bit of a headache afterwards and others do not. SWIM always put this down to the pills not being as clean or pure as would be desirable, but doesn't use a test kit so does not really know. SWIM would not advise that SWIY drink so much alcohol when SWIY is rolling, especially hard liquor, as this will definitely result in a dehydration headache at some point. It seems odd that the pain would be recurring, though, well after the fact of rolling. SWIY should take it easy, drink lots of water and vitamins, and if it is recurring perhaps see a doctor?

[MrG]

Tell SWIY to try some B vitamins and 5-htp, these work well to combat E induced headaches.

[Whit]

Skip the Vit B and stock up on Vitamin C or multi vit's.

Vitamin C is a key part in the synthesis of serotonin

5-htp is expensive and mini me hasn't ever tried it although I don't see why a much cheaper option of Vit C shouldn't help just as well.

Don't take too much vit c for a long period of time though. The Shi*s ain't they cool!

[MrG]

Whilst Vit C helps in the production of Serotonin, 5-htp is itself converted to Serotonin with the help of B vitamins.

Both can be bought relatively cheaply from the right sources.

High dose vitamin C can actually be tolerated very well by the body as long as the right type of vitamin C is consumed. Ascorbic Acid taken at high doses will likely result in a stomach upset but Calcium Ascorbate can be taken at very high doses without any problems.

[Whit]

Yes, I believe 5-htp is able to pass through the blood/brain barrier unlike 5-ht?

Didn't realise the combo of 5-htp & Vit B was a goodun, thanks

[Perception Addict]

Originally Posted by RoboShindo

he started feeling incredibly tired and an awful pain in his head. This pain reoccured on the Monday night (the first was a thursday) and again on the tuesday night, but this time without the tiredness. He couldn't get rid of the pain using Paracetomol, Sinutabs (sinus pain relief tablets) nor co-codamol and has no other way to describe it other than a migraine. Could this be a result of the E or a mere coincedence? Swim hasn't suffered migraines since he was around 9 years old (10 years ago).

Sure it was a migraine? Swim and her significant other both experienced definite tension headaches after a butylone experience. Swim has chronic migraines and knows exactly what they feel like, and this was different. Whether it was a tension headache or a migraine, paracetomol probably wouldn't help. Swim used 5-htp and it really, really worked. If swiy can afford other vitamins, the cost shouldn't be too much more steep, and swim and her SO noted that taking the 5-htp for several days significantly aided in their recovery.

[jazzmetalguitar]

Personally SWIM will agree with most of the people who have responded. It was likely due to the depleted serotonin levels (as serotonin is the neurotransmitter primarily acted upon by MDMA) which occur in the brain after using MDMA. Migraines in general are in fact sometimes treated with serotonin receptor agonists in extreme cases where other drugs do not act quickly enough or at all. The common MDMA user however has no need for such a strong drug and IMO it would only help temporarily before it would return probably worse since a serotonin agonist would have been used just after a serotonin reuptake inhibitor.

What needs to be done is to replenish the body's store of serotonin. The easiest way to do this is to take 50 mg of 5-HTP (SWIM usually takes it about half way or so through the roll). This not only prevents a temporary minor serotonin deficiency the next day but it will also assist the sleep process after coming off the MDMA (as serotonin is naturally converted to melatonin in the body; can also be used to help ease the drop-offs of amps).

[RoboShindo]

Uhh, Right. Swim eventually got scared and saw a doctor. It turns out swim has an absess in his gum and it started hurting more due to stress on swims jaw (from the E, swim assumes, jaw tension and all). swim is having it sorted out soon, and this has prompted swim to get a test kit so that in future he know what he is dealing with, that way he will know if something is a side effect of drugs or its unrelated. Nevertheless, thanks for all the replies and swim will look into the vitamins, etc.

[jazzmetalguitar]

The problem with SWIYs case was it seemed to be a side effect of the drug in which case it wasn't. That happens too. Test kits are never a bad thing and always do your research.

Also, if jaw-clenching is an issue magnesium is often helpful.

[RoboShindo]

magnesium? As in, the brightly burning metal? Is that in a diet supplement now? What does it do, stop clenching or just make it less noticable the next day?

[jazzmetalguitar]

Here's the fact sheet:

http://dietary-supplements.info.nih..../magnesium.asp

It's effect in jaw-clenching is related to NMDA receptors supposedly. Supplement is readily available and cheap.