Elavil and Headaches: What Users Say

• Cat...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 2, 2018

For Depression "It was the only antidepressant that worked for me way back in the 80s. They tried everything else but MAOIs. It has had no side effects for me in the past 35 years. BUT, in the 90s, a doctor (an MD) wanted to see if the newer SSRIs would work also so I said OK. Well, about 3 weeks into this venture, I got a headache so bad that I called her and said I can't live with this pain. Needless to say, she immediately got me back on Elavil. Don't try going off this medicine because it has a very bad side effect. That is OK for me though. I'm now 79 and figure I will always take it. Told my doctor if I ever go into a coma, please always give me this medicine until I die! I do take the generic now because of the price, and it works just as well."

• ras...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 20, 2015

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "1st started taking for depression and PTSD and anxiety. Then I got in an accident, now I take it for the above as well as headaches, leg pain, nerve pain in legs. Great old school drug. Oh, also helps insomnia."

• SAm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2018

For Insomnia "The worst pill I've ever taken for insomnia. I got prescribed Elavil 25 mg to take before bed. I took the first tab, and it made me very sleepy and dizzy, but I could not fall asleep. I was in a state between sleep and awake. Very dry mouth, very restless, and the second morning I felt that I could not move. It also caused me headaches. Will be throwing the rest in the garbage. Terrible drug."

• Anonymous
• March 22, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "I just started taking it last Thursday, and I am so happy that it is working, no headaches (except one today). I feel like I'm in a dream! No one around me understands how miraculous this is, suffered with them for 30 years now. I feel like a normal human."

• Anonymous
• April 16, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "I was very tired the first week, but after pushing through it, I felt better. Headaches took about 2-3 weeks to go away, but they were gone. I had been having headaches almost daily, and they were getting severe. I felt pain-free, however, I felt like my IQ had dropped about 20 points. I couldn't think of things quickly anymore, and it was getting worse. My typing was getting worse, and I was forgetting everyday things like family members' names. I pulled backwards out of my driveway one day, and with myself turned around looking out the rear window, I couldn't orient myself to figure out which side of the road to be on. I was on Elavil for almost 2 months. I took myself off 1 week ago. Headaches are coming back, but my memory is returning."

• Anonymous
• January 3, 2011

For Migraine Prevention "I have been on Elavil for 3 months now, and it has changed my life. Immediately before starting the medication, I had dizziness, nausea, jaw pain, and migraine-like headaches with light sensitivity for 3 solid months. I had suffered with these headaches since my early 20s, but I had never had one long, nonstop migraine for 3 months before. I have only had the beginnings of one small migraine (flashing lights) in the past few months, and that correlated with missing a dose of the Elavil the previous night. I take one 25 mg tablet at bedtime for migraine prevention. I sleep well, feel great, and my mood is elevated, all because I don't have those debilitating headaches, which were ruining my life."

• Tin...
• March 2, 2015

For Insomnia "Works wonderfully for insomnia. Just the side effects are terrible. Headaches, drowsiness, and WEIGHT GAIN!"

• Anonymous
• August 13, 2008

For Migraine Prevention "You are extremely tired in the beginning, but it goes away and you are back to your normal routine. I take 20 mg at night and am headache and migraine-free. It's great."

• SRa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 16, 2020

For Insomnia "After taking this the first time, I had the worst headache of my life all night long. Threw the bottle in the trash!"