Comparing Amitriptyline vs Cyclobenzaprine

For Migraine Prevention I have suffered migraines for many years. Having a started menopause, I was given 25 mg of amitriptyline to help with sleep at night. My neurologist also gave me Migravent (Natrual product supplement), which I have taken twice per day for three years. My migraines were substantially reduced. I would go an entire month without a migraine. I however was hospitalized twice in three years due to increased liver enzymes in the thousands. Very painful resembles what you would imagine a heart attack would be. Therefore I eliminated one half of my dosage of migravent. And in hoping that I could eliminate some of the prescription drugs in my life, stop taking the 25 mg of amitriptyline 3 weeks ago. In that time I have suffered five migraines. I have had to treat with Fioricet. Sometimes twice, still not believing the headaches for several days. I truly believe that the 25 mg tablet of amitriptyline is the key. I hope this helps.

For Migraine Prevention After trying propranolol and then topiramate for prevention of migraine, I settled on amitriptyline as it was the only one that didn't make me feel either physically exhausted (propranolol) or mentally handicapped (topiramate...) although these other drugs did work. I'm currently on 10mg nightly, the pain has stopped and I feel myself again. I did experience some initial anxiety at night, but I'm able to keep that in check by thinking rationally about things. Amitriptyline is a strong anticholinergic which has been linked to an increased incidence of neurodegenerative disease in the long term (BMJ 2018;361:k1315, BMJ 2018;361:k1722), but the alternative for me (eye pain) has an increased risk of gouging my eyeballs out with a spoon, so it's a fair swap.

For Muscle Spasm I started taking cyclobenzaprine 2 days ago for neck/ back spasms. I have been in a fog ever since. My whole body has felt numb I can’t drive, slur speech, move in slow motion I stopped taking it this about 15 hours ago and finally feel like I’m coming out of it. I can feel my body “un-numbing - like pins and needles when your arm is “waking up” and I feel cold inside. Of course it must have been working cuz now my neck/back is more painful. I’ll take the pain at least I can mentally function.

For Muscle Spasm I've been on 5mg of flexeril for about a year & a half. I take it only when needed but I can rarely take it because it makes me sleepy. If I take it late at night I have a hard time waking up the next morning. I've found if I take it by 7pm it's not so bad waking up the next day. I have severe bladder spasms and flexeril has helped (when I can take it)