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Original poster

Amitriptyline for migraine?

29 replies

Peridot1 · 12/10/2018 09:07

Has anyone had any success with Amitriptyline for migraines?

DS has started daily migraines again after almost a year migraine free. He is 17 and A level year. There is a definite stress component. Triptans haven’t worked.

A year ago we saw a paediatric neurologist and he mentioned Amitriptyline can be successful with migraine. DH is a bit wary as it’s an anti depressant but I understand it is given at a much lower dose for migraine than if used to treat depression.

We are day three back into a migraine as soon as he wakes up. It’s a stressful year school wise obviously and we are all panicking a bit that we could end up back where we were for gcse year where he was off school most of the year.

We haven’t been back to the doctor yet but I’m just trying to get some information before I do.

OP posts:
Agentornika · 12/10/2018 09:14

I've been on propanalol for 8 months for migraine prevention, not had once since and I was getting 2 a month

Original poster
Peridot1 · 12/10/2018 09:16

We tried that although perhaps not the right dose but it didn’t seem to do anything.

OP posts:
misscockerspaniel · 12/10/2018 09:57

I tried it just once, and only once, because it made the migraine worse (it was like a zip opening across my forehead). I had migraines from childhood and as an adult having several migraines a week, worked out that I am intolerant to caffeine. Cutting that out was like finding a miracle.

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Original poster
Peridot1 · 12/10/2018 10:00

He doesn’t have caffeine. Great for you though to find your trigger. It’s a huge thing with migraines. His is definitely stress.

OP posts:
RadioDorothy · 12/10/2018 10:00

Yes, I've taken 10mg amitriptyline alongside 40mg of propranolol every day for 15 years. It cut my daily chronic migraines down to some milder ones every few weeks, and really awful attacks to 2 or 3 times a year. I have triptans for those.

Some people suffer side effects of drowsiness and brain fog, but I never had that - it's a very low dose, and when I came off it for a while the headaches crept back, so I started it up again.

Bicyclethief · 12/10/2018 10:03

I also took Proponol and it's drastically reduced my migraines. It's been a life saver as I had at least three migraine a week.

ShannonRockallMalin · 12/10/2018 10:06

Amitriptyline made me feel like a zombie, I was falling asleep driving so that was no good. I have been on Propranolol for several years now and as PP said, it has been a life saver. I can’t imagine how I ever coped without it.

ShannonRockallMalin · 12/10/2018 10:10

You are right however that the dose for Amitriptyline for migraine is much lower than for anti depressants. It is used for lots of different conditions and I think it is quite an old fashioned treatment for depression these days.

PurpleMoodyRazu · 12/10/2018 13:27

I take Topiramate daily for migraines. It's an anti-epileptic which has been found to be useful for migraine treatment. I use 5 - 10mg amiltryptaline from time to time to help me get to sleep so I'm not sure I'd like to take it daily. The topiramate has been fantastic, it has reduced the incidence and severity of the migraines from about 15 per month to sometimes 1 -2 usually none. When I do get them they are usually easily knocked out by imigrran.

Original poster
Peridot1 · 12/10/2018 13:43

Thanks all.

We tried Topiramate. Didn’t work. He was on maximum dose.

Propranolol also didn’t seem to do anything although the paediatric neurologist said he could have taken a higher dose.

OP posts:
sadwithkiddies · 12/10/2018 13:52

If he is under a neurologist ask if you can discuss botox with them.
there is very strict criteria, and you must have failed several treatments, but it has some very good results.
it is 32 small injections in face/head/neck every 3 months.

Pericombobulations · 12/10/2018 13:53

I'm on a low dose for my ms symptoms. But although I used to get sleepy about an hour after taking it I had no other side effects and have now been on it two years and now have no side effects. Can't help you about migraines though sadly - I do still get bad headaches but that is hormonal

MulticolourMophead · 12/10/2018 13:53

Ex used to get horrendous migraines. He was prescribed Amitriptyline for depression, and he had the side effect of migraines reducing to almost nil. He went down to a low dose in time and the doc kept prescribing them for migraines. No idea if he still takes it, but it did seem to work.

dontgobaconmyheart · 12/10/2018 15:16

I have taken Amitriptyline for Migraines OP, though I stopped as the fatigue it caused was pretty unmanageable.
I am currently taking gabapentin which is not as bad and have seen a reduction and am due to start facial acupuncture as my consultant believes there could be a benefit . I also have sumatriptan for emergencies.

As someone who takes a number of medications (thoigh I'd rather not take any) I'd say don't be put off by anything 'being an antidepressant' - at least a third of the medications I take are used 'off label'. It really only means that it was originally developed primarily for that purpose and marketed for that purpose, it doesn't make the other benefits the drug causes or creates less tangible. They are used because they are found to be medically legitimate for the use of other conditions.
'Antidepressants' are very commonly used for neuropathic pain and even gastric dysfunction and I have taken them for both due to a condition I have. It really is no different to taking a dedicated tablet so to speak.

This may not be applicable at all so do disregard but as you say there is a stress element to this, has he been looked at for TMD/TMJ and bruxism? After a decade of migraines I have recently seen a maxilliofacial consultant who has advised me he believes my migraines may originate from these, I have been provided with a removable brace to relax my jaw and am starting acupuncture and remain hopeful.

CBT for stress management and the migraines perhaps? I have also found this helpful in managing how I feel with getting them mentally and how they affect my life.

Original poster
Peridot1 · 12/10/2018 15:36

Thanks all again.

He is not under a neurologist as such - we got a referral to a private one - could presumably go back if we need.

Can’t see him going for Botox as he is needle phobic although he has had acupuncture.

We haven’t seen anyone about TMD/TMJ and bruxism- I will look into it. We did see a cranial osteopath and he commented on the shape of the roof of his mouth. And he had braces for a while and the consultant did say they could do a lot more but it would be very involved. His lower jaw and chin are quite small.

He is seeing a private psychologist so we have an appointment with her next week.

I’m not overly concerned about Amitriptyline being an anti depressant - DH was a bit through although he has since looked it up.

OP posts:
Fstar · 12/10/2018 15:47

Hi, i have. I also have hypothyroidism and had migraines almost every day. Started at 25mg then doubled it. I take mine at night with my other meds. It doesnt stop them completely but i only get them now when really stressed. It also helps to knock me out at night too.

It took a while to kick in to start with but kept going and now managable

PurpleMoodyRazu · 12/10/2018 22:04

Can I just ask when you say maximum dose of topiramate what do you mean? There are guideline dosages for different illnesses but no real maximums. I take 200mg per day (split 100 in the morning and 100 at night) and that was the dosage that worked for me to stop the migraines. After they settled, I needed to have blood tests to check the topiramate levels and make sure they weren't to high and that I was tolerating the dosage ok which I am.

PurpleMoodyRazu · 12/10/2018 22:06

Forgot to add the topiramate took about a month or two to get the dosage right and for the migraines to stop as well.

YouAreMyRain · 12/10/2018 22:08

Amitriptyline for migraines changed my life massively for the better! I went from having three or four days a week incapacitated to two or three days a month

DumptonPark · 12/10/2018 22:19

Amitriptyline worked for me for about a year with no side effects, but then just stopped working.

Cutting out sugary snacks has been my miracle cure. I used to have constant migraines but haven't had one for over 4 months so far.

FruitCider · 12/10/2018 22:31

Has he tried clonidine or pizotifen or sodium valproate yet? X

Stripyhoglets1 · 12/10/2018 23:10

I take 20mg for nerve pain and it works well. Makes me tired but I can drive safely etc.

Dermymc · 12/10/2018 23:15

I tried toprimate and it was awful for me.

I then tried accucpuncture and my attacks have decreased a lot. R

4catsaremylife · 12/10/2018 23:19

I have taken it for over a year with no problems, went from having 2 or 3 a week to one occasionally now. I'm on 75mg and found that the tiredness wore off after a couple of months.

Millie2008 · 12/10/2018 23:20

Amitriptaline has worked really successfully to treat my absolutely incapacitating migraines. I take 10mg daily before I go to bed so a very low but regular dose. It initially made me sleepy and continue to feel a bit drowsy in the morning, but this side effect wore off within a few weeks and was well worth it. I came off it briefly when I found out I was pregnant, however they came straight back and the consultant prescribed them again. I realise that’s not relevant to your son! But kind of proves the amitriptaline was doing the job for me anyway. Good luck. Migraines are truely unbearable. Great that yoour son’s getting some psychological input too to help manage the stress.