Amitriptyline for Migraine Prevention User Reviews (Page 3)

• Gerbras
• September 20, 2013

Endep (amitriptyline) "Started getting migraines at 18. I'm now 46. Vomiting so bad I used to go to hospital 1-2x per month to go on a drip to rehydrate. Made a professional career virtually impossible. Been on Sandomigran for 25 years. Had every possible treatment. Then 5 years ago a hospital locum prescribed Endep. That was the end of my migraines. I was suicidal for 2-3 weeks but then back to normal. I now take 1 x 50mg tab every second night. Endep is brilliant!"

• nomor...
• April 24, 2014

"I'm 59 years old and have suffered with migraines as well as hard to get rid of "regular" daily headaches since my early teens. A three day migraine would loose 9 pounds for me. I had been to countless doctors and a neurologist with no triggers found. No one ever tried a preventive medication for me. Finally, four years ago, my VA doctor suggested Amitriptyline. It's been a lifesaver. He suggested building up to 30 mg per day at bedtime. I developed dry mouth, eyes and throat as well as nosebleeds. I reduced to 10 mgs with good results as far as the headache and migraine relief, but still the side effects. Cut the pills in half with good results. So, now I'm taking 5 mg per day, with virtually no side effects and NO headaches at all."

• Mermaid
• April 30, 2014

"My doctor prescribed a migraine prevention medication for me yesterday,, for the first time in literally years, I did not wake up with pain in my head that was a level 2 (out of 10 for pain) would either drop to a 1 for pain or become a migraine. I can't tell you how weird it feels to wake up with zero pain."

• galady
• August 30, 2009

Elavil (amitriptyline) "I have used Elavil for about two years, on and off. I was prescribed this medication for a condition called Cluster headaches. Well this medicine worked like a miracle, the next morning after taking the Evail I didn%u2019t have a migraine and I had been having them like clockwork for about two weeks!! Although this is an anti-depressant (I wasn%u2019t depressed) this medicine did boost my moods and made me feel much better throughout the day. It also gave me a very restful nights sleep. This medicine has been claimed to make some people gain weight but I work out at least three to four times a week and have not gained any weight. Works wonders and if you eat healthy and work out you shouldn%u2019t see that drastic weight gain that everyone mentions!"

• megus...
• May 31, 2013

"Amazing medicine. I had migraines for 20 years and they had worsened to twice a week with no relief from Axert, which had worked relatively well in the past. I tried Topamax and experienced horrible mood swings, anger and hyperactivity. Went on Amitriptyline and gradually moved up to 50mg as it wasn't fully effective at lower doses. Once I reached 50mg my migraines went down to twice a month. Even better, the Axert works much more effectively when I do have a migraine. I had dry mouth early on but this went away. The only other side effect is occasional dizziness when I stand up (but this only happens about once a week and clears after a few seconds), which is common on this medicine. It has totally changed my life."

• Indig...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 17, 2017

"For 10 years I've had the most severe chronic Hemiplegic and classic migraines. The condition robbed my life. I tried Topamax, Effexor, but they were awful. I felt worse. Then I took this and the effect was immediate. My years of pain, gone...migraines attacks, down 95%. I swear by it."

• Kel
• November 9, 2019

"I have tried this medication amitriptyline twice now a year apart for Vestibular Migraine (dizziness/vertigo). I have tried all other migraine prophylaxis medications and either they didn’t help or side effects to severe to continue taking them for more than a few weeks. Amitriptyline did stop my daily dizziness, and I did feel less foggy, however, the antidepressant component to this medication does not work well for me, I was having intrusive thoughts, and nightmares, scary stuff, similar to the shining! It made my anxiety worse, I know they say there is an adjustment phase of a few weeks on this type of medication, but when you feel so bad 3 days in, you do wonder how bad does it have to get. I stopped taking the medication because of the effects it was having, but it did work. The only other small side effect I had was dry mouth which was nothing. I am now looking at trying the last available option for me for migraine which is a calcium channel blocker."

• Smoking...
• May 9, 2017

"I have had insomnia, anxiety and migraines since I was 7 years old (I'm 47). I've been taking 10mg every night for the past 7 months to prevent migraines and it has helped immensely. Migraines have virtually stopped (previously migraines were almost daily). Insomnia has gone - this was an unexpected positive side effect. Anxiety seems to have improved but this could be because of not being in pain and sleeping well. I don't seem to be suffering from any side effects and I'm usually very sensitive to medication. Perhaps a little groggy in the morning like a normal person - coffee fixes it."

• KMM
• January 28, 2010

"I have had increasing migraines for several years now, usually triggered by stress or light. Two years ago, I started amitriptyline. I am now at 50mg once daily at night and have many fewer migraines. I used to be drowsy in the morning. Now I take it about 2 hours before bedtime and am not drowsy in the morning. I hope this helps someone."

• sano
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 22, 2019

"I got my first migraine when I was in fourth grade and every year it became more frequent, by tenth grade I was having severe migraines with aura at least twice a week. I was started on 10 mg amitript and I've gone up by 10mg every 6 months, I now get a migraine with aura maybe once a year. However now I'm constantly tired, still worth it though."

• Dianek
• February 7, 2017

"I started this medication for hemiplegic migraines, I was also experiencing bad anxiety and dizziness. I started at 25 mg and I saw an immediate decrease in my anxiety and dizziness, I did suffer a bad migraine and my doctor increased my dose to 50 mg at bedtime, it has worked wonderfully with the added bonus of getting a great nights sleep "

• Debbi...
• November 23, 2012

"I'm 43 and have had migraines since I was 23. I've tried everything, even preventatives (Topamax - hated it) and finally found Frova to be really effective. Then I recently got one migraine that Frova couldn't keep away for more than 12 hours. After 8 weeks of undulating pain, I tried amitriptyline and my migraine finally disappeared after only 2 days. I was also able to get a full night's sleep. Been on 10mg for two weeks now and feel almost back to my normal self again. The drowsiness subsided after about a week. I will occasionally get the sensation that I'm getting a migraine, but it dissipates quickly. No issues with weight gain yet - I actually lost about 10 pounds, but it could be because I've been doing more sleeping than eating lately."

• Debbie
• September 27, 2017

"My first migraine came at 16 years of age. Extreme headache pain, optical halos that would move over my eyes for 45 minutes, vomiting, serious aversion to light and smell. At age 32 the migraine events became a daily experience. My doctor prescribed 25 mg of Amitriptyline at bedtime. The headaches disappeared and very rarely does one break through. However, when it does breakthrough all I get is the optical side of the headache which lasts 45 mins. I have tried to wean myself off the medication but after a week the headaches start again. Today I have been on the medication for 29 years and I am very happy that this low dosage of this drug allows me the ability to have a great life, free of that horrible pain and suffering"

• Sherri
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 22, 2018

"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."

• Amooli
• March 26, 2015

"I have been diagnosed with migraines since I was 9. I am 33 today. My migraines are acute and chronic. As I got older, they increased in frequency and severity. At a certaine point I was hospitalized weekly. I could no longer function as a normal person. School, excerise, relationships, friendships were impossible. It made me even more depressed that noone understood my pain and some thought I was faking it. I was finally pronounced "disabled" afew years ago which made getting a job nearly impossible. I wanted to end my life because of this many times. The 6 months ago, an ER doctor suggested Tryptizol. To me, it is a miracle drug. I only have migraines once a month with my period. I am proof that hope exists. I wish I used it sooner."

• Paulie
• November 3, 2019

"1 month in on my 2nd stint on Amitriptyline for migraines, anxiety, low mood, 25 mg/day. I feel it's starting to have good effect, symptoms have gone from a 7-8 to a 2-3. At first it seemed to be making things worse, the side effects the first week were horrific, headaches, confusion, brain fog, anxiety. But around week 2-3 started to feel some improvement and has continued slow but steady improvement since then. Last time I took it was a few years ago for about a year and a half eventually weaned off of it and was fine for awhile, but then the migraines came back. Have seen some studies where amitriptyline has been shown to increase neurogenesis in the brain so it helps to rebuild and rewire the brain. Hopefully will be able to wean off of it again in time. Happy to have found something that works, would give 10 but some minor side effects that have to be dealt with, constipation, dry skin, mouth, weight gain."

• Rach
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2019

"If I could give this a ZERO I would. My doctor prescribed this for migraine prevention and my 1st dose sent me straight to the ER with the worst panic attack I’ve ever experienced! I felt like I was literally dying. My BP was 205/130 and my pulse was 180. I’m not sure how I didn’t die, they have to give me Ativan to counter the effects. Ever since then I’ve been dealing with regular anxiety and panic attacks. This medication set off something inside me and I truly hate it."

• eyepa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 7, 2018

"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."

• Nessie
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 15, 2015

"I have been experiencing severe migraines 2 times per month over last 3-4 years, that include terrible vertigo and would last about a week. The vertigo was more debilitating than the migraine. Couldn't work or drive. In between migraines I experienced regular daily headaches. Started seeing a neurologist who initially prescribed beta blockers (propranolol) with little result. Then changed tact to Amitriptyline which I am on 10mg per day taken at night. Started about a month ago and am yet to have a migraine and headaches have also significantly improved to maybe 2 light headaches (more tension headaches really) per week. I am more than satisfied with the result and couldn't believe how quickly it had an impact. Early days yet though."

• andre...
• November 12, 2014

"I have been taking 25mg amitriptyline for over a year now. My migraines have almost disappeared which is very good as I was having 2 a month lasting up to 3 days each. I've had Migraines since I was 14 and had hoped that I would start to get better after the age of 60. But not so I'm 68 now and will continue the pills though I'm worried about long term use. I get it on the national health here."

• Happy...
• December 8, 2016

"These tiny little pills are amazing I was suffering with migraines every 2 days I've been taking them 2 weeks nearly 3 weeks and only had one migraine and that was in the very beginning I could cry with relief it's taken 2 years of migraines to be finally given some sort of relief and I couldn't be happier I'm noise reactive so loud noises can trigger a migraine I put these tiny pills to the test and went to a friends birthday party loud music people shouting and nothing no migraine when normally the first 5 minutes of loud anything I'd be hunting down pain relief cold packs and a dark room and for the first time in what feels like forever I actually had a great time with friends they're great so happy"

• Jelly
• March 12, 2017

"I have been dealing with anxiety/ panic attacks and migraines for 10mths and have tried about everything out there (Prozac/ Buspirone/ Setraline/ Ativan) and NOTHING seemed to work but Ativan. Everything else gave me really bad reactions from burning skin to heart burn, palpitations, shortness of breath, insomnia just to name a few and even worsened my anxiety and led to more panic attacks. The only problem with Ativan was that because it is a Benzo and it is highly addictive so my doctor did not want to prescribe that anymore. My migraines got so severe that I was seen by a Neurologist last week and he prescribed AMITRIPTYLINE so far it's working wonders . I am able sleep through the whole night and my panic attacks are gone!!!!!"

• xaval...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 25, 2014

"My headaches are tension, rather than migraine. However, the pain was just intense and debilitating. I was missing work a couple times a month due to these headaches. Dr. started my on this med and since then I have had only 2 severe headaches. Dr. also told me that if I do still get one of them, this med would relieve the pain much faster and headache would go away faster."

• Litzl...
• March 21, 2015

"My daughter is16. She started getting migraines around age 12. At first they were every 3 months for a year then once a month and this last year at age 15 they became two or three times a week! We tried Imitrex nose spray and once the urgent care gave her Fioricet. Nothing worked. She had severe aura, loss of vision then the headache followed by vomiting. Also once she was given Topamax which had too many bad side effects. She will be going to Germany for one year as a foreign exchange student and I was going to have to cancel that if we couldn't find a way to get this under control. I took her to a children's neurologist and she gave her Amitriptyline. It has been an absolute miracle for us!! No side effects & NO more migraines!"

• sympa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2020

"When I first started amitriptyline 10mg., the only side effects I noticed were a bit of fatigue and dry mouth. I did not see an improvement in my migraines, but an improvement is not expected early on. Once I went to 20mg., I had an extreme mood shift where I became quite depressed and apathetic, and I felt quite awful for 3 days or so. After that, the side effects wore off, and it didn't feel like I was taking any medication at all. I have now been taking amitriptyline for two months at a current dosage of 25mg per day. While the side effects have subsided, I have not seen any improvement in my migraine frequency (20+ days/month) or severity. My doctor and I are planning to switch to topiramate in the coming weeks."