Amitriptyline and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Dic...
• December 27, 2011

For Migraine Prevention "I suffered from common migraine most of my adult life and had gone through just about every conceivable medicine there was, including Sansert. Nothing seemed to help prevent them, but I did have Imitrex to take when I had a migraine. But I took it too often and got rebound headaches. Then, with the fourth neurologist within 25 years, she prescribed 50 mg of amitriptyline to take at night. Immediately, I was free of migraines and, over 10 years, have never had to resort to Imitrex. Amitriptyline changed my life."

• cka...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 16, 2022

For Pain "Have been on amitriptyline for about 3 1/2 weeks for whole body nerve pain. Started with 25 mg, didn't do much and went to 50 mg. I sleep great, a little hard to get up, but I make sure I go to bed early. Have had some side effects like dry mouth and some sharp headaches. It has decreased the nerve pain immensely, not totally gone. It's been worth it. I am still in the investigative stage of what's causing my nerve pain. Nerve conductivity and EMG were normal. Doc thinks it is fibro or a form of MS. Just glad to have some relief at this point."

• djm...
• November 7, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I have migraines for the past 6 years and finally found amitriptyline 2 years ago. 90% pain relief. But now, all of a sudden, as summer sets in, as usual every year, it becomes more frequent and more painful. I am on 25 mg. But I wonder if I can just double my dosage. Also, being in the sun just a few minutes sets off headaches, sometimes migraines. Am just tired of feeling sick all the time."

• RaR...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 17, 2023

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I suffered from IBS-D, pain after eating, and flare-ups that lasted weeks at a time for 3 years after giving birth to my second child. I saw a GI who never mentioned actual IBS medication, only low-FODMAP and gastritis dietary changes, which only helped short term. I switched doctors a couple of months ago and was prescribed amitriptyline at 10 mg. I am extremely sensitive to anti-depressants/anti-anxiety medication, so I started out splitting the pill and taking it at night to great results. My stools were better formed and the pain was gone. After a couple of weeks, I noticed a couple of urgent rushes to the bathroom and sensitivity, so I increased it to the full pill and was feeling great, except a couple of weeks further in, I started to notice a general melancholy settling over me, some irritability not related to my cycle. I also started having some sudden headaches. I am working to see if it's related. I don't want to stop it since it's the best thing for my IBS, so I'm feeling it out."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "I was prescribed this about a month ago. I was missing days to weeks of school because of how severe my migraines are. After about two weeks of taking this every night, I saw improvement. My migraines got less severe and turned into your usual headache. But, I still get headaches daily and a really bad migraine every other week."

• sak...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 9, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I started taking amitriptyline 10 mg for insomnia, but I also suffer from hormonal migraines. After 4 weeks, I got through my migraine week without migraines! As for the insomnia, still need Klonopin to fall asleep, but the Ami seems to help me go back to sleep when I wake up. So I'm going to stick with this for a while to see if it continues to keep the migraines away. At first, I had milder headaches and would take Excedrin, so give it a few weeks to work. It doesn't do anything for my anxiety and moods."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• October 3, 2010

For Migraine Prevention "I have been taking this medicine (25 mg) for a little over two weeks. I have to take it 13 hours before I want to wake up. If I take it right before I go to bed, I will sleep for 12 hours. I also am very tired throughout the day, and it is common for me to take a 4-hour nap (just to make it through the day). I believe it has helped my headache in that I am sleeping so much I can't feel the pain anymore."

• Alm...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 21, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "I've been on this medication, among others, for 12 years. Helps control my seizures. Lately, had to talk to my neuro about the near-constant head pain. Well beyond an ache! By upping my dosage from 20 mgs to 30, I'm pretty much headache-free. Which is a first for me. I've had migraines since grade school, and the only thing that controlled them was aspirin. Tylenol or ibuprofen did nothing but rot my liver. So used to migraines that even I didn't notice a progression until I landed in emergency, and a pass through the CT showed a significant tumor. After removal, various meds were tried to keep the seizures at bay. The one that worked tremendously well was actually allergic to. Which brought me to the current cocktail of 3 different meds."

• DJe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 4, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "I have experienced frequent migraines with aura since my teens. Without Fiorinal C 1/2 for acute attacks, I would have been unable to work or care for my family. As I’ve aged (I am now 65), they’ve increased in frequency and duration, so my neurologist prescribed amitriptyline 10 mg daily to try. After 3 months as a trial, I now have daily headaches, some weight gain, and more migraines, so for me, this hasn’t helped, but I do hope it helps other migraine sufferers."

• Mrs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 25, 2017

For Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome "I'm 27 years old and have been to the doctors many, many times. I've had nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and headaches/migraines for over a year now. I'll have a few days to a week with no symptoms, and then they come right back. I've had appointments with a gastroenterologist and have had a colonoscopy and endoscopy done. I've been to the hospital on a few occasions due to my vomiting. Doctors still don't know what's wrong. They have put me on acid reflux medications, which don't help much. I have talked to my doctor about the possibility of me having CVS. He hasn't said that's what I have but prescribed me amitriptyline. Just started it yesterday... Hope it works. Close to losing my job if I can't get this under control..."

• 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."

• diz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "Really wanted this med to work for me, but unfortunately it didn't. The first few months it made me super drowsy and fatigued. The neurologist said it would go away with time, so I continued, it eventually did subside. I also had dry mouth and some wild dreams, but I could tolerate that. Eventually, my heart rate was out of control and I was losing lots of hair every shower. I had to stop it. The withdrawal period was rough, with increased headaches and insomnia for a few weeks."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 26, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I have headaches/migraines, GAD, panic, and possible mood disorder. This was a very effective short-term medication for me. I had more energy, lower depression, and received fewer serious migraines, and the ones I did get did not feel as intense. But, after about two months, I started developing all sorts of strange side effects. One of the more notable side effects I developed was 'neuropathy.' I had a constant feeling of pins and needles all over my body. Then came the lightheaded effect. For some reason, my intrusive thoughts and overall lightheadedness started to get worse. Some days, I felt like I was in an ascending airplane and my ears were about to pop. Then, I stopped for a month and started on a lower dose. This time, I got additional side effects. Specifically, urination. I would go 20-25 times a day and had a constant feeling of my bladder being full. Finally, I quit for good. The headaches/migraines came back with a vengeance unlike I've ever seen before."

• kas...
• November 16, 2009

For Insomnia "I can't sleep worth anything, so they took me off Ambien to this, saying it works well. I have to take up to 125 mg a night to fall asleep, and it doesn't work. I get bad headaches, and I didn't take it for two days so I could have some drinks with a friend. Well, it got me mad and sad, and all of it almost ruined my relationship. Ever since being on this and Paxil, it has not been good for me, it made things worse."

• Lul...
• February 6, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I have had migraines since I was 17 due to amine intolerance in foods. Struggling with them now, though, at 58. I'm having periods of confusion, currently being investigated. Prescribed amitriptyline yesterday and took my first 10 mg dose last night. The GP wants me to increase to 50 mg over a period of weeks. Slept like a log last night, up once. Slept until 2:30 pm, and when I woke first thing, I had a headache. I'm still very dopey at 4 pm, so I won't be taking this drug again. I have a responsible job as a nurse manager, and I need to have all my faculties."

• Tez...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I started taking amitriptyline for chronic back pain on June 21. All other medications had failed to keep me pain-free. After a week on 10 mg, I felt like all the nerve elements of the pain had gone, but on 20 mg, I am pain-free. The side effects are mostly positive for me. It has quieted down my bladder. I sleep all night (and don’t have to wake to pee). I haven’t noticed a dry mouth. I do have to take them about 6 pm and with food to prevent morning grogginess and heartburn. However, I have noticed more headaches, and although I don't suffer from migraine, some migraine-like symptoms-like sensitivity to light. A few hours and paracetamol seem to work, but it’s surprising that this drug is meant to treat what it is causing in me. Still, for me, the benefits outweigh the problems, and I will stay on it for now."

• Tin...
• March 2, 2015

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

• Anonymous
• August 13, 2008

Amitriptyline 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."

• yel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 31, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I take 10 mg at night. Been on it 6 weeks, no migraines, maybe 2 headaches. Wouldn't take more than 10 mg, though."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2020

For Depression "I don't think this med, amitriptyline, is working for me. It's been 20 days I'm on medication, and I barely noticed any change in my moods. I feel more sick, feel lost, and heavy-headed."

• ChP...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 3, 2018

For Vulvodynia "I was very hopeful this would solve my vulvodynia pain, but had terrible headaches, stomach aches, and acid reflux on 5, 10, and 20 mg. I decided to go off. Will now try gabapentin."

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

Amitriptyline 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!"

• Ros...
• April 20, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I have been on amitriptyline for 2 weeks and I still have headaches and don't sleep. Got told they take up to 6 weeks to work. I don't know if I should persevere taking them or stop them."