Nortriptyline for Migraine Prevention User Reviews (Page 5)

• vhope
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 28, 2015

"Have had migraines off/on since my teens in varying degrees. Within the last few years they have become more regular and with a vengeance. Tried various meds with my GP, finally started Nortriptyline, 10 mg for a week, then up to 20, etc. until no headaches. I went up to 40 mg. but experienced frequent night terrors and was scared down to back to 30 mg. (for 18mo which is still effective and reduced night terrors. No heart palpitations, but do experience dry mouth. Recently, I thought I would titrate down to 20 mg. BAD mistake, I experienced the famous ice pick headache for two days. I am now back on my lovely 30 mg. I have to be careful to make sure I am going to get at least 7 hrs sleep or I am very groggy next am for a few hrs"

• Emma...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 22, 2017

"I'm 33 have been taking 25mg for the past 4.5 years. I have been getting aura migraines since I was 13. They have always been unpredictable and could never pin down particular triggers. In my early 20s I took sandomigran for a couple years but found I gained too much weight and still got migraines. For the first 4 years -pretty much to the day, of taking nortriptyline I didn't have a single migraine, normal headaches lessened, my irritable bowel syndrome and endometriosis improved and then I got the dreaded aura and a terrible migraine. I have now had 3 migraines in the past 5 months and curious as to why it's not working as effectively as it used too. Side effects: no weight gain, I get a dry mouth all day, lowered libido, restless sleep."

• SoRo
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2017

"Nortriptyline did not work for me. The first month I took it I gained 15 lbs, the second month I gained 10 lbs, the third month I gained 5 lbs., total of 30 lbs in 3 months and cholesterol way above heart attack level. I stopped taking it because I still had migraines and because of the rapid weight gain. I have never gained more than 5lbs. I was 120-125 most of my life. I gained 5 lbs after having 4 kids. I gained 20lbs each time I was pregnant and lost it quickly. I still have these 30 lbs that I can't lose from this damn nortriptyline. I've been walking 3-4 miles every day for a month now and eat organic when I can. I lost 7lbs. It's taking forever. I don't recommend nortriptyline to anyone. Try something else!!"

• Anonymous
• March 3, 2015

"I've had migraines with aura since my early 20s (I'm 45 now). Over the past few years their frequency had increased. As of December 2013, I was having them about 2- times per week. I was put on Nortriptyline 50 mg/day. I have had only one migraine in the past 14 months (and the one I had was when I tried to reduce the dosage). The dry mouth & orthostatic hypotension have stopped. The only problem is that I really cannot drink very much alcohol."

• BearS...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2015

"I was offered this as an alternative to amitriptyline because it made me so drowsy I was struggling to function in the morning. I went to a neurology clinic, ended up in tears explaining how daily headaches were making me feel. So neurologist prescribed me the 25mg twice a day to increase to 50mg twice a day which to me was scary, I don't have depression I have a headache! my pharmacist advised me to try half a tablet once a day (12.5mg effectively) and its day 5 now. I can honestly say I haven't felt this level of pain in my head since I was admitted to hospital for a migraine back in January. I can't concentrate on anything, my vision is blurry, and my head feels too heavy to be supported by my neck. have zero energy and no balance! good luck"

• kathy...
• March 15, 2015

"I am 40 and have had migraines since I was 18. I started taking the nortriptyline and it has changed my life. I have been taking his for about 8 years. Was having migraines twice a week and now only have them twice a year. Miracle!!"

• minia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2015

"Switched from Amitriptyline to Nortriptyline because I was told the side effects were less severe. My vision was already altered because of Amitriptyline so I am unsure for Nortriptyline contributes. The side effects of hostility and aggression have lessened. However the sweating is still constant. Sleeping is okay, just have a hard time falling asleep. The overall experience outweighs the headaches. I am thankful my migraines and daily headaches have lessened"

• Janet...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 21, 2015

"I've had migraines since my teens and they become more frequent as an adult. A doctor prescribed nortriptyline as a preventative in my mid 20s. It worked well for me. We did 10mg at night for a few months and stopped it worked well. When the migraines became more frequent a few years later we switched to continued use and 20mg a night. Migraines are now rare unless I am dealing with serious stress. Headaches in general have been reduced in number."

• Anonymous
• April 9, 2012

"This past Jan. 2012, at the age of 50, I had two strokes, one attributed to my chronic migraines and the other from taking birth control pills for too many years. I have had migraines for over 10 years, and just before my stroke this year, I was having anywhere from 3 to 7 migraines a week. My neurologist prescribed Nortriptyline about 4 weeks ago. I have not had a single migraine since I started this medicine. I feel better than I have in years. I pray the medicine continues to work for me. The only side effect that I have noticed thus far is that sometimes my hands shakes a little. I hope that I can take this medicine for a long time. It's nice being migraine free!"

• bwilla
• January 2, 2017

"I've had "a" really bad headache for over 6 weeks now. On my right side. I say "a" because it is almost constant, day and night every day. Seldom have I had headaches my entire life. I'm now 60. After 4 visits to a doctor, (the first one prescribed antibiotics saying I had a sinus infection-no help what so ever, the second guy Midrin, same thing). I was prescribed nortriptyline at 25mg once a day by my last visit with a new doctor. It has been 3 days, so not much change, yet. I can put up with any/all the side effects mentioned, if I get relief. I will repost in a week or 2, when hopefully it has kicked in. Scheduled for a CAT scan in 2 days.....we'll see. Reading these posts has given me some hope."

• hyper...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 16, 2015

"Had a headache for over 6 months, even got scanned for a tumor. Got glasses, avoided computer/tv, removed caffeine from diet. Nothing. Now taking 50mg at bed time for a little over a month with almost no headache. Forgot to fill my prescription and went without for 2 days ... back to an extreme headache. Headache definitely fixed by nortriptyline!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 29, 2012

"This medicine changed my life in a sense. I am on Latuda (an antipsychotic) and a lot of Wellbutrin, but I was still depressed and having migraines almost every day. I was put on only 30 mg a night to prevent headaches and to help me sleep. It certainly made me sleep a lot the first few nights. At first I was afraid it was a dud, but then 2 weeks later my migraines were less frequent; after 2 months on it, I have about 20 percent of the migraines I used to have. I get great sleep, and the best (and most surprising) part was that although it is a tiny dose, it was just what I needed to finally not be depressed and anxious. I only gave it 9 starts instead of ten because sometimes the dry mouth is unbearable at times."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 29, 2017

"I started this medication last year at 10 mg for my migraines. They were so severe I couldn't function and they were almost daily for me. So my doctor prescribed me nortriptyline. It really helped almost immediately. However, about 1 month in I got super groggy and lethargic during the day for no reason. I decided that I would just stay on the medication anyway. I am so glad I did because this medication helps so much with my migraines. I am now on 20 mg and I only get a migraine once a month or less. I would highly recommend for people with chronic migraines."

• Migra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2013

"I started Nortriptyline about 2 months ago. Doc started me on 10 mg/day and asked me to increase to 50 mg/day. Started taking it at night but was over-sleeping so started taking it in the morning. Missed one dose by 12 hours and immediately got a migraine that lasted for 4 days. However, after 2 months, the medicine doesn't seem to be working. I've started getting weekly migraines again that last 4-5 days. Have emailed my doc for help because I can't afford all the time off work and being a neglectful parent! I had dry mouth in the beginning but that has gone away. I used to have an uncontrollable bladder but the medication has cured that (thank goodness). Haven't noticed weight gain."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2015

"I started suffering from migraines in my early 30's. I had tried everything you could think of. I was missing work 4-5 times a month. I ended up in th emergency room and was given Diloaudi several times (they call this percription heroin because its so very strong. A few weeks back I went to another doctor who gave me Nortriyptyline! He told me my Migraines could be due to stress. For example, I know I have to go to work, I get ready, but then I decide to take the day off. I get a migraine. I work well under pressure, so my brain gets amped up for one thing and it's suddenly changed. Not that anyone asked for my medical history Ha. This medication works wonders!"

• Visual...
• April 19, 2012

"Visual migraines since Junior High. Incredible pain following the event including omitting. No one could help..internal medicine doctors, ophthalmologists, neurologists. At age 32, a foot doctor tells me that I am a victim of visual migraines and suggested nortriptyline. Went to neurologist for medicine. I am on 50mg taken each night before bed. Visual effects still occur intermittently but migraine is aborted. Still have headache for three days but the medicine keeps me from being incapacitated for days. I am now 50 years old and could not live without it. I have dry mouth, redness of skin, sensitive to sun and problems urinating at times but these issues are nothing compared to what I lived with for 20 years. I highly recommend the product!"

• Anonymous
• January 29, 2012

"Friends - I have read many of your experiences and mine is similar. I had a problem with a botched epidural; created leakage and after the hole was closed I encountered severe migraines almost continually for six months. I finally found my way to a clinic and they properly diagnosed my problem and created a treatment so that now I am headache free. I take 10 mg nortriptyline at bedtime. From what I can see it is not just the nortriptyline but the lack of access to well trained physicians that understand headache pain."

• Larou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 24, 2018

"I've been on 25mg for 3 days, but feel dizzy, lethargic, overall not clear headed. I hope that these side effects will go away with time. I was prescribed Nortriptyline for chronic migraines that last 3-4 day every few weeks for the last 10 years or so. No sure I'll be able to live with the side effects if they don't go away over the next few weeks."

• chesn...
• October 3, 2010

"I have been migraine free for over a month now. I was getting 3-5 migraines a week with a continuous headache for 5 months straight and through the heat of the summer. The migraines stopped after just a few days on the medicines and have not came back. Even with the change of weather and congestion, the headache is not there. I haven't noticed any side effects but it does make me sleepy. Helps get a good nights rest."

• Anonymous
• February 4, 2012

"Migraine suffer for 40 years. I have tried more medications to control them for the past 7 years. I was having 15 or more migraines a month. Last year I had one for 2 mos. even my trip the the ER couldn't break it. After 7 years on Topamax and recently 3 botox treatments for migraines with no luck, my neurologist, 2 mos. ago had me try nortriptyline 25mg... works amazing. Even the pain in my neck from herniations and severe arthritis is 90% gone - but I am having blurred vision -hoping the lowered does of 10mg in the morning and evening will alleviate this because feeling human again is a wonderful thing, something I haven't felt in years."

• Clara...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 16, 2016

"So far started treatment a week ago. Already experiencing horrible side effects: ongoing ringing ears; constantly nauseous; slughish tired during the day; Light headed throughout the day; rapid heart beat; had 2 nightmares which I woke up catching my own breath because I thought I was dying. That same night I had that dream twice; still cannot sleep more than 4 1/2 pushing 5. Hrs of sleep. with 10mg. Still having migraines. Called my Dr. Office 2 days ago and have not received a call back yet. I am supposed to go up to 30 or 40mg. But with these side effects I just want to get off of 10mg."

• Anonymous
• September 8, 2012

"This medication actually works for migraine prevention. I take only 30 mg a night, and I really didn't expect much. The first week I still had migraines almost every day, but then after that, I almost never get them...not even close. I haven't experienced any side effects except for tiredness in the beginning, and that's a good thing. It helps me relax before bed, and not living with constant pain is a blessing. Also, I'm on 450 mg of Wellbutrin but was still depressed; this tiny dose of Nortriptyline for about 3 weeks has made all the difference and I'm happier. Actually, if I had to say one bad thing about it, it's that it's made me crave sweets like crazy...I've gained 5 pounds. Otherwise, great med."

• Adras...
• May 24, 2010

"My neurologist prescribed nortriptyline 2 years ago to help with my chronic migraines, which I'd had since I was 13 years old. I'd suffer migraines at least 4 times a week and the pain would be excruciating. I'd suffer from rebound migraines as well and it turned out that I can't take medicines like Excedrin because they actually worsen my migraines. Imitrex stopped working. Once I started Nortriptyline, I started seeing relief within the first two months. I'm on a steady 30mg and as long as I eat right, keep active and reduce stress [a big factor to how they'd start at first], I only get level 8/9 migraines 2/3 a month, usually at the start and end of my menstrual cycle, and take Treximet for them."

• Oliver
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 19, 2012

"I began Nortriptyline about one month ago and few side effects so far! I am thrilled to read several peoples experiences have been mostly positive. I still have headaches but nothing I need to run to urgent care for injection. I've taken Imitrex as needed for a couple yrs and it stopped working. I noticed lots of posts from people who work in healthcare as I do, very stressful at times. I pray over time I will not have migraines. The Anxiety of them popping up at work is aweful. But these posts stating it works has me much more hopeful! Thanks all-"

• Miss...
• November 20, 2016

"I'm taking Pamelor (that's the generic name) primarily for migraine prevention but it also helps my depression. It's been about three months since I started this and my migraines have reduced a lot. I rarely get them now. I'm also feeling much better since my depression. The only side effect I have is sleepiness in the mornings. Other than that it's a charm."