Amitriptyline and Dizziness: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• January 6, 2010

Amitriptyline for Migraine Prevention "This made me so tired that I had to stop taking it. I felt drugged 20 minutes after taking it (I took it at night), and then I was groggy the entire next day. Plus, the first night that I took it, I woke up with a migraine that wouldn't go away after my Imitrex Statdose injection. So now my doctor put me on a beta blocker. It makes me a little dizzy, but I can actually function!! Guess it works for some people, but I couldn't drive, and there's no way I could go to work on this..."

• Sle...
• April 29, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "Was prescribed 5 mg every night, which would help my anxiety and a reduction in migraine, which caused me to have dizziness. One week after, it greatly helped with my migraines. However, I stopped due to having twitches in my thumb. Not sure if the trade is worth it. But it helps with your sleep and migraines."

• LAL...
• December 22, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "Started 2 weeks ago for chronic migraines. I've been to the emergency twice in a week for numbness in my face, hands, weakness in my legs. I can't eat, I feel faint and dizzy. I've had a massive panic attack that landed me in the ED again last night. Never taking it again! I was only on 25 mg."

• Anonymous
• January 3, 2011

Amitriptyline 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."

• Kel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 23, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "I take amitriptyline for the prevention of migraine with aura. The aura was so bad I couldn't function: dizziness/vertigo, facial numbness, vomiting, light sensitivity, and forgetfulness/memory fog. Although I'm not back to 'normal,' I am able to function. I still experience dizziness from time to time, and my memory isn't what it used to be, but overall about 85% improvement. I have experienced some weight gain from craving sweets and other junk. Also, the first month I was very tired, but that stopped. I'm afraid to try something else because I fear the symptoms returning."

• Kel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 23, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "I take amitriptyline for the prevention of migraine with aura. The aura was so bad I couldn't function: dizziness/vertigo, facial numbness, vomiting, light sensitivity, and forgetfulness/memory fog. Although I'm not back to 'normal,' I am able to function. I still experience dizziness from time to time, and my memory isn't what it used to be, but overall about 85% improvement. I have experienced some weight gain from craving sweets and other junk. Also, the first month I was very tired, but that stopped. I'm afraid to try something else because I fear the symptoms returning."

• PLa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 15, 2019

For Pain "Can anyone relate to this? I had two years of problems, which ended in 2015. No more dizziness or headaches after I started taking this drug. I came off it four months ago. On Monday, I had a sensation in my head when I blew my nose, it lasted about two minutes. I've had headaches ever since, tried to play football yesterday, no chance. Dreading I'm back to square one?"

• hmp...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 6, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "Cured my migraines within the week, though eventually went off of the medication due to its side effects. Blood rushed to my head every time I stood up, causing me to faint once, and extremely dry mouth."

• Dot...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 29, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "Elavil, good drug but I'm starting to depend on it... started with 12.5 mg, within a few months I was off it... However, I had a relapse after 5 months of abruptly tapering off, which was terrible, like I was going to pass out in minutes. Now, I'm on 100 mg, but it seems I need to increase the dosage because I have a hodgepodge of headaches and balance issues. Sleep has been wonderful regardless of mentioned symptoms... Is this feeling normal and will I need to increase it...????"

• Heb...
• April 28, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "I was taking this for my balance disorders, MdDS, VM, and PPPD, and also my OCD. As this drug helps with migraine and some balance disorders. No SSRI types had worked for me. Worked up to 10 mg for 3 months. It helped with - (once got through the side effects of each increase). I had facial pain and migraine pain. Gave me deep sleep. Evened out moods. Eventually helped OCD. The payoff - deep sleep with shocking dreams. Constant hot sweats. Zombie brain, not able to finish sentences at times. Each increase in dose caused extreme anxiety and OCD for at least a week. Lowered sex drive. Felt little joy, laughing, etc., and low motivation. Could not have any alcohol due to dizziness. Mornings, no energy. Constant fatigue. Increase in MdDS symptoms at night. Felt faint on standing sometimes. Clumsy as anything. Trouble urinating with each increase and heart palpitations. I’m now coming down. Not worth the side effects. With each decrease, I get a few days of fatigue, dizziness, aches and pains, nausea, and diarrhea."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 25, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "Was taking this for about 4 days. I stopped because I got very bad panic attacks, felt dizzy, felt as if I was going to die, heart was racing. Still feeling them days later. Sometimes I just sit here and cry because I never felt anything like this. And to top it off, I was started out at 25 mg for migraines. Worst days of my life right now."

• Mia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 23, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "I started experiencing migraines in the spring of 2022. My migraines progressively started to get worse and more frequent. Once a week, 3-4 days at a time. Sensitivity to sound, light, eye pain, pressure in my head, dizziness, unable to eat and drink water, and vomiting. I lost 20 lbs in 4-5 months because the pressure was too much that I'd just want to throw up. At the same time, I was dealing with joint pain in my toes, feet, knees, fingers, and wrist. I was physically exhausted, sleep was never enough. In October 2022, I was diagnosed with the immune disorder S.L.E. lupus. I started Celecoxib, which helped with my joint pain. Yet my migraines were still once a week. The family doctor had me try Nurtec ODT 75 mg. It helped 10-20% of the time, so he referred me to a migraine specialist in my area. He believed my migraines may be associated with my new diagnosis of SLE lupus (both symptoms started in spring 2022). I started Topiramate for 4 weeks with no improvement. I've been on amitriptyline for 4 weeks and NO migraines! Slight head pressure."

• sam...
• March 21, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "After suffering migraines since I was 16, this medicine is a miracle for me. I just used to deal with them by writing the day off and sleeping off my migraines. I lose my sight for 3 hours with flashing lights and severe dizziness, and numbness in my arms and lips tingle and go numb. Enough was enough then, as I was having 4 every month. I went to see a specialist, then reduced by 80% in 2 and a half years. At first, you just want to sleep, but after 4 weeks, you feel better. I take mine at night, 30 mg, and just cannot believe I didn't seek help many years ago. This 100% works for me."

• TDE...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 19, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I don't know where to start. For two years, I have had sleep issues because of anxiety and panic attacks. My sleep quality was nonexistent. Insomnia, restless legs, aches, tension headaches because of it. Everything is a struggle when you can't sleep, especially for long periods of time. This medication was prescribed for migraines, and at 10 mg, it has changed everything!! It doesn't make me drowsy, but when I sleep, it's such a deep sleep. I literally go to sleep and wake up on my alarm!! It's bliss. I do have some side effects: migraines, dizziness, and dry mouth, but in comparison, it's tenfold better."

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2022

For Anxiety and Stress "I don’t recommend this to anyone that has had negative side effects from similar medications. Within the first few days, I became confused, my anxiety increased, I could not sleep, muscle spasms, and dizziness. My mouth was constantly dry, I became extremely aggressive and aggravated over nothing. I woke up with migraines, and my eyes were so red that I looked like I had been on a week-long drinking binge. I was irrational and began to lose motor control and literally had to stop what I was doing and find a place to sit down and started passing out. My heart was constantly racing, and I eventually realized that I had serotonin sickness after less than two weeks of the lowest dose. It took two weeks just to get back to my normal anxiety-filled life. It almost killed me. Pay close attention to the side effect warnings. This may work great for some people, but I choose anxiety over near death. If I could rate it in the negative end, I would give it a negative 10."

• Sha...
• October 28, 2013

For Migraine Prevention "I was put on this medication, 50 mg nightly, to stop migraine/headaches during the day. I have multiple sclerosis and suffer from a lot of neuropathic pain also. I am on Lyrica 300 mg twice daily. Both of these medications have caused weight gain. I have slowly weaned myself off the Endep and now am suffering from dizziness, hoping this will pass. But my concern is that Endep is also for the treatment of depression. Was I being medicated under false pretenses, and now that I am off it, will I suffer from depression? MS is a hard illness to deal with at the best of times. Will I now not handle my disease? Time will tell."

• Red...
• August 19, 2010

Amitriptyline for Migraine Prevention "This medicine is the best for migraines. I have been on this medicine for almost a year, and I started getting relief after two weeks of taking it. The side effects that I have experienced are weight gain, dry mouth, and dizziness, especially if you wait to take the medicine after a certain time of the night. I give this medicine two thumbs up. I currently take two 50 mg at bedtime."

• lel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 16, 2013

For Vulvodynia "I have been on this for 3 days now, and it has helped tremendously. Felt very lethargic the first 2 days and dizzy, but much better today. Taking 25 mg twice daily. Also have neurological pain in mouth. Still have slight pain, but nothing like it was."

• Sun...
• October 11, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "I have been on this medication for 6 months, suffer from severe migraines. At the beginning, I could sleep better, fewer migraines but dizzy. I stopped taking this medication since I developed severe anxiety attacks usually during the night, irregular heartbeats (PVCs), and chest pressure. Also, numbness of fingers and toes. I took only 5 mg at bedtime. I have been off this medication for one week, had an awful migraine, and last night a sleepless night with anxiety. I am pretty sure it works for some people. Watch out for side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 19, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "I have been taking this medicine since August last year. I relied heavily on this page as my migraines got better. I was taking Topamax, but the side effects were awful. I had an aura with a headache that lasted for a month and had a dizzy spell where I vomited and slept nonstop for four days. That was when I started taking amitriptyline. To begin with, I had auras every few days. Now I am taking 30 mg and have had 2 auras (no pain) in the last 3 months. I think stress hasn't helped, and I have changed my job, but honestly, I think these pills have helped, and I am so grateful to have my life back. I have gained weight, but I am able to eat properly again. I don't have any other side effects."

• Nea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 27, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "My doctor prescribed me this drug for my chronic migraine that I have had every day for 1 year. Decided to try it as the migraines are ruining my life. Took 10 mg 2 nights in a row. Felt extremely slow, like I’m 96 years old instead of 26. Could not function. Decided to not continue sooner rather than later. The day after I stopped taking it, I was extremely dizzy and felt drugged/drunk, completely out of my mind. Like I am on an extreme high. Problems speaking and moving my body, can’t control myself. My muscles are spasming all over my body. It has now been 4 days and I only took 2 doses. Can’t move out from bed or do anything. Just waiting for this nightmare to pass. BE CAREFUL!!"

• Anonymous
• November 12, 2011

For Migraine Prevention "I've been having mixed tension migraines almost daily since a head injury over a year ago. When I started taking amitriptyline, I took 12.5 mg every night for a week and increased it every week. Now I'm taking 50 mg. In the beginning, I was very groggy every morning, but now it's only an issue if I take it too late or get little sleep. It has also caused vertigo from time to time; it feels like my bedroom is spinning when I'm lying down, but it only happens once in a while. The real problem is that it does prevent my migraines. Though I've been taking it for about six weeks, I frequently wake up with migraines and almost always have one by day's end. I'm hoping to switch to something else at my next neuro appointment."

• leo...
• April 19, 2009

For Migraine Prevention "I had a migraine one and a half years ago, it lasted around 9 months, during which I was so sick and went to see the doctor several times. They could not help either, just gave me some painkillers. Fortunately, it gradually cured itself, and the last year and a half has been headache-free. Recently, this ghost came back again. This time, my family doctor first prescribed verapamil, which caused dizziness after the 3rd day of administration. Then he gave me amitriptyline. I took 10 mg of it, and the next day, it's like a miracle-no headache. I am so happy now."

• jen...
• November 30, 2017

For Insomnia "I just started this med for insomnia and anxiety. The Dr. told me to take 75 mg. I got super dizzy and had to have my husband help me to bed. After reading other comments, I just think I took too much to start with. Maybe I will cut a pill in half and try that. I need something, that's for sure."

• Kim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "I had a horrible experience. Was trying to see if it would help prevent migraines, I also have fibromyalgia and insomnia. First night took 10 mg, slept OK. After being up for about 2 hours, the fatigue was so intense I slept on and off all day. Took only 5 mg the next night, woke up with a horrible headache in the middle of the night, was so bad I couldn't sleep. Once the headache was under control, I slept on and off all day again. Dizziness, nausea quite bad. Didn't take again."