Amitriptyline for migraines

[Earlgrey19]

Wondered how others have got on with this? I’m suffering frequent migraines and also have problems with insomnia, so I’m seeing my GP and considering going on this. But I’m worried about side effects, though the dose for migraines is usually lower and so maybe side effects are not so much of an issue. Any experiences?

[Montybojangles]

I take it for this and it’s helped enormously. I started on 10mg and increased monthly to get to 30mg which works for me. Main side effects were initially they really knocked me out. I had to take them at 6-7pm if I wanted to be able to wake up in the morning. That effect wore off after a week or two, though I’ve stuck to taking them around 7 (have forgotten and taken as late as 9pm ands till managed to be up early). The more ongoing side effect is an incredibly dry mouth in the night. Again, that’s not quite as bad as it was in the beginning, but it’s still very noticeable. I’m happy to live with that for the big reduction in migraines it’s achieved. Hope it helps you.

[Youngmum19]

My brother takes beta blockers for migraines.

Amitriptyline is an antidepressant but can be used for pain management I think my grandma takes it for backache, you shouldn’t take it if you have a heart condition.

[Whoops75]

I take 10mg at night for sciatica
My GP increased the dose but I got awful nightmares so went back to 10mg

I don’t have any side effects at 10mg
Good luck

[DreamingofSunshine]

I was put on amlytripine by the neurologist for migraines, I suffered badly with a dry mouth so switched to norotriptyline which has been better. Currently on 70mg and sleeping better and migraine frequency has reduced.

[Fstar]

Helped a lot in the beginning, started off on low dose and increased about a year later. I would say at first i was very drowsy in morning, but got better as time went on, and the dry mouth thing so alway have cbewing gum or a drink near by.

Have you looked at the synexus migraine trial? Hve a look on their site

[PaulRobinsonsWoodenLeg]

I was on them for back pain and they gave me nightmares so I stopped. Not sure what dosage it was though.

[RedSheep73]

I've been on them, and I wouldn't recommend. Although I understood they were prescribed for tension headaches, not migraine proper. It is supposed to stop your head and neck muscles being so tense, but I didn't find any benefit - physio/chiropractic/massage have all been much more effective. It's also a rather nasty antidepressant, and is toxic enough that you can kill yourself if you overdose on it. But, there isn't much gps can prescribe for headaches, so they keep pushing it.

[Earlgrey19]

Thanks, because I suffer from insomnia too (which can make me more susceptible to migraines), I thought it might help with both conditions as it is drowsy-making. But I do have reservations about it being a drug with side effects...