Nortriptyline for Migraine Prevention User Reviews (Page 2)

• Sas...
• August 24, 2019

"Since being on Allegron 35 mg now (Nortriptyline in the UK), I started on 10 mg, my migraines and even headaches have massively subsided. In the past 4 months, I’ve only had 2 migraines. Previously, to taking this medication, I was having anywhere between 5-6 migraines a month, some months I was having 2-3 every week. Very pleased with the result. Much happier at work and home. Enjoying quality time with my kids and husband."

• gez...
• April 14, 2013

"I have suffered from migraines since I was 3 years old (I am 58 now), and I only get a few a year. Then in 2002, my migraines went from bad to worse. I average about 4 a week. I have tried so many meds and combinations of meds, and they made the migraines more tolerable for a while. I even tried Botox. I saw a new neurologist on April 4, 2013, and he asked me to try nortriptyline 10mg at bedtime, increasing to 20mg after a week. I have had only 2 migraines since Apr 4, and the pain is mild to moderate. I am hoping for more improvement. So far, no side effects at all."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 30, 2012

Nortriptyline "This is month 3 and the headaches I lived with for many years have vanished with a 30 mg dose every night. I sleep well. Dry mouth is tolerable and treated with an oral rinse. I never thought I could feel this good!"

• Bel...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 23, 2013

"Three years ago I started having atypical migraines. It felt like the world was spinning in all directions at once. I would throw up until my stomach was empty and then some. Finally, after hours of this, I would pass out, almost coma-like. The recovery was long and slow after each attack. I was sent to a neurologist who prescribed Nortriptyline. It was amazing! They did start out with a low dose, but it only had a marginal effect. They increased it to 75 mg daily, and now I only have an atypical migraine every few months. And they are not as severe, and recovery is quicker. So thankful for this drug."

• Kim...
• January 25, 2013

"I was getting migraines so badly I couldn't speak. It was happening so often that it was affecting my job and life. I also suffered from headaches every day for three years solid. My doc gave me a prescription for nortriptyline, and I haven't had a headache since. I sleep well, wake up alert, and my life has changed so much because of this medicine. It's cheap and effective, and it's given in such a low dose for migraine prevention that I didn't have to suffer any of the symptoms."

• BHB...
• August 26, 2017

"So I woke up one day with the worst headache I've ever experienced. I don't ever remember having migraines, so I didn't know that that's what I was having. I am a 'time will heal it' kind of guy. Well, after four months of going to sleep and waking up with a migraine all day, every day, I am not stretching this at all. Finally, my wife convinced me to see a doc. After two more months of migraines, he said he wanted to try the Nortriptyline. I took 5 mg every night for a week and then would increase the next week another 5 mg until it helped. While at the 30 and 35 mg mark, I felt improvements. When I started the 40 mg, it was the first day I woke up in over 6 months with no migraine. It brought tears to my eyes. No side effects for me. Lucky, I guess."

• Kat...
• December 17, 2015

"I have taken it for 4-5 years now, and it has changed my life for the better. A neurologist I saw for over 25 years treated me with 4-5 drugs. For the last 15 years, I was prescribed Demerol 100 mg liquid injections. My headaches occurred 4-5 times a week. I left that doctor and went to my primary care physician, who prescribed Nortriptyline 25 mg, one pill before going to bed. That has worked so well that I now only have 4-5 headaches a year!"

• tst...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 23, 2015

"It works for me! I've had chronic daily headaches, migraines, and neck pain for over 18 years. Once diagnosed with migraines about four years ago, I was able to reduce the frequency and severity by avoiding known triggers (see Buchholz's 'Heal Your Headache'), but recently the headaches returned in force. I convinced my doctor to let me try nortriptyline, and it works very well with very mild side effects. I had dry mouth, which is not very noticeable now, a higher incidence of heartburn than normal, firmer stools, and frequent 'weird', vivid dreams. Relief started at 25 mg, but I now take 75 mg daily. Migraine frequency is down from 20+ days a month to 1-2. I still avoid most triggers to be safe, but this has helped tremendously."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 10, 2019

"My doctor prescribed me a 25 mg dose of nortriptyline after having severe migraines every week since the 8th grade. Seven years later, I am finally able to go to work and not worry about vomiting from my headaches. I’ve been on it about two years, and I’m not sure if my memory was this terrible before, but I’d say the pros outweigh the cons. Also, topamax worked for me as well but caused me to have severe anger issues."

• Sho...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 28, 2014

"My neurologist put me on nortriptyline as my common migraine attacks became more frequent, 10 or more a month. These migraines were almost always accompanied by a stiff neck and often woke me up after 5 hours or so of sleep. I started at 25 mg daily, and I noticed a change in the pattern. While previously I would have 3 days of migraines in a row, the migraines were mostly limited to one day. After a month or so, the dose was increased to 50 mg, and I am largely migraine (and stiff neck) free. I take it at night, so the only side effect is that I sleep longer than I used to. My understanding is that after some number of months, the dose will be reduced and/or I will be taken off of it to see if the migraines return."

• bwi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 7, 2017

"I posted about 2 months ago when I first started taking Nortriptyline, 25 mg, once a day. I had a continuous headache day in and out. After taking multiple drugs, Imitrex, Prodrin, Midrin, not much relief. After about 2 weeks on Nortriptyline, my continuous headache had diminished, 'almost' entirely. I did notice, though, many afternoons my headache returned, and I had to take other meds to help reduce the discomfort. I talked to my doctor, and he agreed maybe 2x a day would be best. 25 mg in the morning and again at night. That was about 3 weeks ago, and now, very rarely do I have any headaches at any time of day. I hope this continues. What a relief. To me, this has been a true wonder drug for my 24-hour headache! No side effects."

• Emi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 9, 2019

"My doctor prescribed me this tricyclic antidepressant, nortriptyline 25 mg, at bedtime as our second try at a migraine preventive. My previous prophylaxis was a beta blocker that I stopped due to side effects. Oddly, my pulse was high when I started taking it. Luckily, that ended up being temporary; it returned to normal in a few weeks. I do have a dry mouth but am fine when I'm drinking enough water and chewing gum. Dry mouth increases the risk for cavities, so good dental hygiene is now essential. It took a few weeks to work, but I haven't had as many bad migraines while on it. I think nortriptyline has mildly helped with anxiety and sleep. My favorite thing is how affordable it is. Not having to use as much expensive sumatriptan also has helped financially."

• Hap...
• February 12, 2018

"Miracle drug. After I started exercising almost every day, I got a migraine that lasted four or five months. I had a migraine every day with dizziness, trouble speaking, reading, writing, thinking. I thought I was going on disability. I tried Topamax, but it didn't make any difference. I started on nortriptyline, and on the third day, I noticed an improvement. Three months later, I have zero symptoms. Now my current dosage of 20 mg is making me drowsy. So I think I am going back to 10 mg. I have stopped exercising completely. I wish I could go back to running and weight lifting."

• Lar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2019

"I commented when I first started taking the medicine for migraines. 25 mg at night, most side effects are gone, and so are the migraines. If I get a headache, it is mild and goes away quickly with a coffee and a couple of ibuprofen. My heart rate is still a bit higher than before, but not too bad. I feel more confident, I can go on business trips and not worry about migraines. I’ve even had a beer and a glass of wine without problems. Try it if you’re getting lots of headaches, minor side effects are worth it. My doctor says that most people do very well on it."

• gmo...
• February 2, 2016

"I've had chronic headaches for 4-5 years and was treating symptoms with OTC meds, which eventually became ineffective. Started having severe migraines about once a week, for which I finally sought a more permanent treatment. Had some undesirable side effects to a few of the initial prescriptions: hair loss, nausea, insomnia, etc. I had a rough start with Nortriptyline. As I increased the dosage, I experienced prolonged drowsiness and some constipation. After a few weeks, the symptoms decreased and my headaches stopped being a daily occurrence. I have had a few migraines since starting, but these have also become less frequent. Maybe from once a week to once a month now. Hoping this works for me long-term and doesn't become ineffective."

• Pri...
• February 27, 2017

"About 25 years ago, I suffered from debilitating headaches that lasted for days on end with varying intensity, but were never quite gone. Upon visiting a neurologist, I was told I suffer from cluster headaches, and he prescribed nortriptyline. I have been taking 50 mg daily at bedtime for the 25 years since. I very rarely suffer from any headaches at all as long as I remember to take my pill at bedtime, and yes, I do sleep great. Nortriptyline was a godsend for me!"

• Kaz...
• October 9, 2015

"I have suffered from migraines for the last 22 years, have tried lots of things that do little to nothing. I started taking nortriptyline 10 mg nightly as I was getting them daily, they slightly reduced to maybe a gap of 3 days. Still not good when you're working, so I got the dosage increased to 2 x 10 mg at night. It has made a huge difference, but I'm going through my script too quickly, so I've asked to have it increased to 1 x 25 mg as they only come in 10 mg & 25 mg. I feel so much better as I can now go over a week without a migraine, which is like heaven having a normal life once again. Good luck everyone, I fully recommend this medication."

• She...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 25, 2014

"Very effective for migraine prevention. I was having one every other day on this medicine. I've gone a week without having a migraine. However, it makes my ears ring. The ringing in my ears is driving me insane to the point I can't take it, so I think unfortunately this medicine is not for me!"

• Rsb...
• January 17, 2018

"I have vestibular migraines, and this drug has been amazing for it. I've suffered from vestibular issues for over 10 years before it was nailed down as migraine and was started on nortriptyline. After years of these vestibular attacks, lasting several days and occurring several times a month, I'm now down to maybe an attack or two every few months and a few during times of high stress. Side effects are minimal: dry mouth. I was told it would help me sleep, kinda doesn't, but so worth it for the incredibly mild side effects and the huge quality of life increase."

• Anonymous
• January 26, 2012

Nortriptyline "I have been on Pamelor for the past 6 months or so, and I suffer from severe headaches and migraines. After being prescribed 25 mg, I have felt I'm in control of my life, going from 15 headaches and multiple migraines a month to a manageable 3-4 headaches and a couple of migraines a month. My doctor and I are now trying to drop these numbers even lower by doubling my dose. The side effects I have experienced are dry mouth and odd vivid dreams, which are very manageable compared to before."

• Psy...
• July 30, 2015

"I have been experiencing significant feelings of my 'brain hurting,' with it feeling like it wanted to bust out of my skull, was overwhelmed by sounds and sights, feeling off-kilter because of brain dizziness. All affected my cognitive functioning (can't think, difficulty processing information, very bad memory, couldn't express myself verbally). Have had just about every scan done possible, showing nothing of concern. My neurologist started me on 25 mg. of Nortriptyline, and the head-hurting has stopped! Still some dizziness and difficulty processing information. Only side effect is dry mouth and a bad taste in my mouth, so always carry water. Happy with just this change as a place to start! I used to just cry, hold my head, and stay home."

• khw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 27, 2014

"Three months ago I started the nortriptyline 10 mg daily to help with very disabling migraine with aura. So far, so good. I haven't had a migraine, and I would normally have had one or two in that time. For a couple of years, I have been taking 400 mg daily vitamin B2, but I was still getting sick. So I've added the nortriptyline. I also, now, am very careful to not become constipated, and that may be making a difference. But, it looks like the nortriptyline has been good for me. My migraines started at about 13; I'm 61 now."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 7, 2012

"I have been suffering with my migraines and daily headaches since I was a child, I am now 34. I have tried Tramadol (sometimes REALLY good, but other times it gave me a worse headache), Amitriptyline (no impact), and now Nortriptyline. I started on 10 mg in the morning and 20 mg at night. I had to go up to 20 mg twice a day to see any effect. My headaches are now down to about one a week, which I can take painkillers for, so this medication has been amazing for me. The only downside for me is the extremely dry mouth, but that pales in comparison to the positives. I have also seen that Nortriptyline has led to weight gain for some. I am fortunate in that it actually keeps hunger at bay. I have only been on the medication for 8 weeks."

• 92r...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 31, 2018

"I have had daily headaches for around 4 years. The headaches are never severe but always pop up at the right front of my head on a daily basis and are more annoying than anything else. On a scale of 1-10 for pain, I would rate them a 3-4. My doctor started me on 10 mg Nortriptyline once at night before bed. I noticed a rapid improvement with my headaches immediately. I took the pills for around 6 months and have now stopped taking them completely. I would have stopped around 2 weeks ago, and my headaches have not yet returned. I have a 3-month supply of the tablets still, but so far haven't needed to start them again."

• Ver...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 23, 2016

"I started having constant headaches on the left side only. We're talking every day, multiple times per day. I was miserable. After taking 10 mg at night for a week or two, my headaches stopped. I discontinued use after 3 months to see what would happen, and my headaches returned 3 days later. Won't make that mistake again. If I have had any side effects, I haven't noticed."