Amitriptyline for migraines AND anxiety

[mumofapirate]

I suffer visual migraines which have been bad recently. I also suffer from anxiety. dr has perscribed me Amitriptyline I took It once before and felt like a zombie next day. Is there anything I can do to help minimise side effects? but scared (tablet phobia)

I started on a very low dose, 10 mgs at night and then upped it to 20mgs. I think the plan was to get up to 50 mgs eventually but I was too sleepy next day. I've now been on 20 mgs for many months, I sleep like a log and have to drag myself awake, but once awake am fine. It has stopped my sleepless nights of pain but probably if I'd got the dose up it would have helped more the following day, too.

Just realised I haven't really answered your question! Persevere is my best suggestion. Re tablets, they are tiny. You could ask the pharmacist if there is a liquid or dissolving option?

sorry im not scared of swallowing them just scared of side effects (same with any drugs). I have anti sickness tables to take as and when so maybe I could take them to help with woozy feeling next day? or would that be a recipe to knock me out

I'm on 75mg at night but built up slow I get it for muscle spasms In my back .

Hi - I am on Notriptyline - see thread a bit further down for chronic (never leaves) headache. Just started and not convinced its going to work, but I am getting on better with it than Amitriptyline (its very similar, just more expensive so they try the Ami first) so it might be worth a try IF you can't get over the drowsiness that Ami causes.

I tried Ami for 2.5 weeks but even at 20mg was a total zombie - however I know that for many people this gets better, and it didn't help the head. Nortriptyline seemed to help me immediately but now effect is sadly not as good and I am 2.5 weeks in and now at 30mg. After the initial problem with insomnia at 10mg I am now out like a light on it but don't feel so drugged in the morning, and no other side effects.

Can't see how the anti sickness pills would help. If you take the amytriptiline in the evening, I take it last thing, and accept the slightly dozy feeling next day you really should get over the side effects after a week or two and then increase as required.

Thing is it can be a really useful painkiller so is worth persevering.

Hope it helps. What dose are you meant to take?

I was on amitriptyline for long term back pain (currently not taking it as I'm pregnant). I was told by my physio that the side effects are bad for the first 10 days to 2 weeks but if you stick with it they will reduce significantly.

She was right and after 10 days of feeling like a zombie & quite spaced out things settled down so I would suggest if you are going to try it to give it a good 2 weeks.

will I be ok looking after children and working whilst zombie -ish or do I need to be at home?

I didnt feel safe driving for the first few days, by the end of the first week that had improved.

I was ok looking after my toddler but we had a lot of cbeebies and simple food like toast or defrosting preprepared food from the freezer was easiest.

If your job involves a lot of driving or long periods of concentration then i'd suggest speaking to your hr department before taking it to explain you are about to start some new medication which for a couple of weeks will make you a bit drowsy so you wont be on top form and see if they can reduce your hours or duties rather than you having to take time off. This depends obviously on your work, but your gp may be able to sign you off?

my work is easy, only pt its just 30 min commute each way. I have baf anxiety so easy foods tend to be a must and we probably watch too much nick jnr so think im sorted