Amitriptyline - migraines-headaches & side affects?

[Emma0191T]

I have been suffering chronic migraines/head pain for over 6 months now,
Doctors tried everything to pain killers, beta blockers, and so on...

Had a referal to see a neaurolgist, which was then cancelled for further clarification needed,

Doctor who iv been seeing throughout my head pain said there was no more pain killers she could give me with having small children, but new doctor has put me on this?
Knocks me out before bed but all day I feel like a zombie,not to mention, I still have a dull aching pains in my head, no get up and go, drowsy, feel like I could sleep all day (no chance with a 2 year old)

Has anyone had any similar experiences? Any other medication that helps without the awful side affects? Or if I should even continue taking these?!

Thanks in advance

I've tried several medications for chronic migraines, amitriyline has been one of them. I coped with the side effects for 6 months as they did get rid of the migraines for the most part. I had to concede in the end though.

However, I've since been diagnosed with TMJ dysfunction and the migraines are a side effect of that. Do you get neck pain or is the skin around your head sore to the touch? If so it could be there is an underlying muscular cause which can be fixed.

I would definitely see a chiropracter - they can work wonders. I saw one that also does western acupuncture, so he did a bit of both types of therapy. I found that mine were linked with driving. (a crappy car with crappy seats, a crappy driving position, etc)

It was funny me seeing this thread as I'm just about to start back on amytrip tonight for my migraines. I also take a beta blocker but I'm now going to add in the amytrip. I was on this before by carne off all meda when preg last time. I could never get dose above 10mg but this dose didn't really give me any side effects after a couple of weeks of taking. It can take a long time for prophylactic meds to help for migraine. Preserve see another GP to discuss any concerns.

Must be something wrong with me; I take 20mg as late as 10pm and still get up fine at 6am with the kids???!!! 10mg did little for my pain but 20mg is spot on. Does make me thirsty though and am constantly snacking since taking it!

I take 50mg before bed for IBS. It does make me sleep more heavily but I can get up in the morning and am no more tired than usual really. It also gives me a dry mouth. If I have a few drinks then take the amitriptyline I get a mild hangover type headache but it's usually gone by the morning. Apparently people used to take 100-150mg for depression!

I take amytriptyline 20mg daily and propranolol 80mg daily as a migraine prevention - which works fantastically 95% of the time. I'm down to 4-5 since March whereas before I'd have that many a month.

I'd been on the propranolol for 12 months when the Drs added the Amytriptyline. I was having daily headaches at this point - I started on 10mg three times a day, which literally did turn me into a zombie, I'd struggle to focus after lunch and would be in bed for 7.00pm out cold till 7.00am.

We've messed around with the dosage and settled with 20mg at night. The dr described it as long acting, so the amytriptyline still works on pain for the following day.

Seriously, it's worth persevering with. I've felt better the last 3 months since all the medication has been sorted than I have for a few years.

Hi. I hope some one is still viewing this thread! I have recently been diagnosed with migraines after a lot of twoing and froing to hospital and my neuro surgeon has put me on amitriptyline. My concern is will it tackle the auras as well as my auras are continuous and are numbness down my left side, confusion, loss of speech and others. This has been going on for two weeks now and would really appreciate some advice.