i have been prescribed nortriptyline for migraines after suffering a mild stroke caused by the birth control pill. It has been a week now and i've had no relief. I stared on 25mg and have worked my way up to 75mg. I've had migraines on and off since starting the pill but none lasting more than a few days. Clearly I am no longer on it. However, I started a migraine the day before my stroke (yes i'm doing great) but it's been nearly three weeks that i've had a migraine. Somedays it's better than others. I will start back to work soon but can't imagine doing so in such pain. Any thoughts?
Nortriptyline and migraines?
- Posted:
- 2 Mar 2011 by Lauralu71
- Topics:
- migraine, birth control, ischemic stroke, nortriptyline
Details:
Answers (4)
blaze222 Mar 2011
The medication that you are on is in a class of tricyclics/ antidepressants, however, it is one of those drugs that has multiple uses for other medical issues, ie; headaches... This is one of those times that you need to call your physician back and let him or her know that it does not seem to be giving you any relief and any other side effects that you are feeling... also there is that second opinion, but in this day and time a patient/person is lucky to pay for one professional, especially where insurance is involved... you can also try speaking with your pharmacist, they are always helpful, and it is their field... Are you on any other medications? How active are you... Are you under alot of stress... Any antidepressants take time to get fully into the blood stream, usually up to 3 months before you start really feeling any effects at all... the first 2 weeks is usually the toughest... I am on Celexa and Klonopin .
LaurieShay2 Mar 2011
Hey Laura,
I am not clear as to how long you have actually been on the nortriptyline. If it has been 3 weeks since you started the med and you are still having a headache, I would call the doctor and let him/her know. It is possible that you are having side effects from the nortriptyline and need to have the dosage adjusted or you may even need to try something else. Only your doctor can make that decision.
I do hope you get relief soon and except for the headache are doing better after your stroke,
Laurie
Lauralu71
2 Mar 2011
Hi Laurie,
It has been a week since starting on the nortriptyline. But i've had the headache since the day before the stroke (which in hind sight may have been a warning) . The stroke occured February 12th. So i'm going on 3 1/2 weeks with a headache. I will call the doctor today.
LaurieShay
2 Mar 2011
Hey laralu,
I am glad you decided to call the doctor. Keep us posted.
Laurie
DzooBaby2 Mar 2011
How is your blood pressure running? You state you had a headache before your stroke. Do they have you on any beta blockers like propranolol? It may work quicker for you to stop the headaches than waiting several weeks for the antidepressant to get in your system. If your blood pressure is running high it could be the reason for the headache.
Lauralu71
2 Mar 2011
actually my blood pressure is quite low. Tends to fluctuate between 110/70 or 120/75. I have heard beta blockers are sometimes used for headaches. I am calling my doctor today.
DzooBaby
2 Mar 2011
That is actually not low. It is in the normal range.
caringsonbj2 Mar 2011
Lauralu,
since you have been on a drug for multiple uses and are having painful symptoms please give your doctor a call and explain basically what you told me also include the fact that you are concerned about returning to work with so much pain he may be able to give you something that will allow you to function and yet not be in severe pain, please let us know how this works out, Pain makes it difficult to perform at an acceptable level wishing you the best
Lauralu71
2 Mar 2011
thanks! you are so kind. I will put in a call to my doctor now, and i'll be sure to keep you all posted.
FYI, have you ever heard of Relpax? I was in a group speech therapy session this morning. A women in my group said she was given nortriptyline after a major brain injury and that it didn't work. She said Relpax worked wonders.
Lauralu71
2 Mar 2011
scratch that about Relpax. Can't take it if you've a history of heart attack or stroke... i'll see what the doc has to say.
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Hi there. Yep, i'm on other medications, levoxy for the thyroid (i don't have one anymore), advair and flonase for allergies. I was also put in Zocor after the stroke. I am very fit and active. However, I have been on lexepro and celexa in the past as i've suffered a bit from depression and anxiety when my thyroid levels have been out of whack. So I understand they can take a while to start working. You could say i'm a bit stressed from the stroke; not to mention a bit sad. So if the nortriptyline helps i wouldn't mind the added benefit. However, i'm really hadling things in stride and i have a huge network of friend and family supporting me. Plus my boyfriend has been AMAZING! I can get frustrated at speech therapy but i know all will be good in time. If i can only get rid of the headaches.
Hi there, well it sounds like you are moving in a positive direction, and yes headaches of all types can be quite debilitating, there is one thing that I have tried in the past alone with medication that has helped me... take a normal dish towel, a little thick to the touch, 100 percent cotton... wet it down really good with luke warm water and ring out... place in microwave for about 1 minute, maybe less or more depending on how strong yours is then being very careful, remove towel, let the heat simmer a bit, then fold long ways, and roll... go to a couch or whereever you can lay in an almost upright position, place the rolled towel in the crook or back of your neck and let the heat penetrate for a few minutes, sometimes up to 15... while you read a book, watch t.v. whatever...
Expand this post...
make sure there is slight pressure up against the towel and you would be amazed at how much it helps not to mention it seems to loosen up the muscle and tissues in that area which can in turn assist in headache relief... I've used this method for years after a hospital stay and was given this information by a nurse... it does help... also if you would like how you are laying really is up to you but not completely flat, you want plenty of pillows supporting your back, spine and so on in such a way where you are in a most relaxed state... If there is any tension brought on in the way you position yourself, it will defeat the purpose... give it a shot... and this can not only aid with proper medication but feels great... take care, will check back, blaze22
I've heard of doing this. However I'm in the hospital now. Docs where concerned enough given my recent stoke. I am on a steroid, toradol and fioricet. I had a CT scan that was clean. The docs have decided to keep me till they break this migraine.