Amitriptyline and migraines - cheer me up please?

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I've recently started having aura migraines every few days and they're really making me stressed & miserable. My GP put me on amitriptyline 10mg as a preventative and since starting it I hadn't had a migraine for 11 days, so was feeling really hopeful about it helping. But I got a horrible one this morning so am feeling very glum now. Anybody got any positive stories about amitriptyline working for them? I'm clinging to the hope that maybe it just takes a bit longer to get into your system?

Oh OP. I am just back from National Hospital for Neurology after waiting 18m for referral, and have been diagnosed with chronic daily migraine. I have tried many different meds, amitriptyline not great, nortriptyline better.

So, I have been told there are 8 different types of medication I can still try, plus Botox and nerve blocks. And I've got a reasonably high chance of one of these working even though I've had a headache every day for 10 years.

So, what I'm saying is amitriptyline is one of many many different things they can try, and one that GPs are happy to try. There are different doses you can Terri to.

So, please don't be disheartened if this first go hasn't helped, there are many many other things to try, one of which should give considerable relief.

Yes, it will take some time. But I found I had to stop having caffeine and chocolate and there's not much I can do about the stress and tiredness triggers. I take 25mg. I find it prevents but doesn't stop migraines. I find taking Maxalt as soon as I realise that I'm getting a migraine sometimes stops the worst of the pain. Read online about pre drome as well as post drome migraine symptoms to help you identify when one is starting. I sometimes get a blind spot, then aura, but other times I get a pressure on my migraine spot.

It has helped me - it doesn't stop them but has cut frequency by at least half. You are on a low dose which can be increased.

Keep a diary and revisit GP after 4 weeks.

And yes it does take time to kick in.

Thanks both. Every day headaches for ten years sounds terrible:( I know I need to give it longer, I was just hoping for a miracle! I've already tried propranolol and had to stop it after two days as it made my bp so low I couldn't stand up without flaking out!

Thanks helpmum - cross posted with you. Am seeing gp tomorrow, so hopefully she'll have some words of encouragement or suggestions. I have started using a migraine buddy app to keep a track of them.

My 14 year old has been prescribed 20mg of amiltriptyline for her migraines and chronic shoulder pain. She says she it doesn’t help her shoulder nor prevent migraines but the fact is she can go to school now (she missed a month). Mind you I had to go to a private doctor to get it prescribed as the gp just said ibuprofen. She has now been referred to a pain clinic.
I understand the effects are cumulative so stay with it.

I had beta blockers at first and they made me feel like I was flying.

I’ve been on them just over a year now and it works well for the most part. I was getting several a week and I can’t take triptans or nsaids, so was really struggling. Started on 10mg, and gradually built up to 30mg which works well for me (maybe just one migraine a month now). My gp was happy to increase a further 10mg if needed, but so far so good. Hope it helps you soon, as others say it takes a few weeks to give full effect.

I had bad reactions to amitriptyline. Mostly weight gain and low moods but they didn't do much for the migraine either. Referred to a neurologist who out me on topirimate, which is primarily for epilepsy. Major difference. It's life long but has been a life saver for me.

Hi OP, I had severe headaches for over a year about two years ago now. After every test possible I was diagnosed with chronic daily migraine - my neurologist said amitriptylene only works once you get to a higher dose. So I did increase and around 35mg it finally started working. I can't tell you the RELIEF I felt...the only thing that helps and gives me a good nights sleep too.
Give it a few days to kick in and talk about the dose if you can. Good luck, I know how debilitating they can be x