How long did it take for amitriptyline to work for chronic migraine?

[mechanicalpencil]

Hello,

Started amitriptyline yesterday for migraine and wondering about how long it will take to begin to see (hopefully) results?

Am in the aura stage of next migraine and just feeling so trapped in the relentless endless cycle…

Thanks

About 2 to 4 weeks to reach maximum benefit, but you should see an improvement in 4 or 5 days.

A few days for me too. Only ever taken in pregnancy when my migraines were pretty much debilitating. I was very sensitive to them though and the drowsiness did not ease. Pregnancy two I was able to successfully take half a tablet though, worked as well but drowsiness more manageable.

It didn't work for me as they made me too tired. I couldn't stay awake in the evening, or wake up in the morning, and I need to keep my sleep patterns I ended up having more migraines than normal!

I started on 10mg, and with my GPs guidance upped the dose every 2 weeks or so. It helped a bit on 10mg, but since getting to 30mg it’s very rare now I have a migraine. It’s been a godsend for me, as I can’t take triptans or ibuprofen type meds. I was really tired in the mornings for the first week or two, but that resolved completely. I hope it works for you soon.

Days for me also, never got on with it though due to side effects, now on nortriptaline and it's great

Im taking 20mg a day... but unfortunately it doesnt make me sleepy, in fact the very opposite, it keeps me awake. ive been on it since october 2023, i would probably say i noticed a difference by christmas 2023.

i have to take 10mg when i wake up and then 10mg at about 7pm in the evening and then it doesnt affect my sleep so much.

At first i was also taking topiromate alongside it.. but now i am just on amitriptyline . I also do have a triptan called 'relpax' which i take at the start of a migraine.

Days for me too, I honestly didn’t think I would ever not have a headache and it’s been bliss!
I’m intrigued that @Blarn took it during pregnancy. Is it safe to take in pregnancy? We’re hoping to start trying for a baby in the summer and I was worried about having to be weaned off it before this (I’ll obviously speak to my GP too) but this fills me with hope!

Thank you all!
I’ve found your responses very encouraging and will hold onto hope for now that things will get better.

After 12 weeks and must be stopped before the 3rd trimester. But is ok to take in the second. Migraines tend to improve in.pregnancy and only a tiny percentage of women get migraines that continue into the second trimester so hopefully you will be fine!