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Migraine Headache
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Posted 9/10/2008 6:12 AM (GMT -7)
has anyone tried amitriptaline 10mg plus citalopram 30mg(both antidepressents) as a treatment for migraines/headaches?
Posted 9/10/2008 4:18 PM (GMT -7)
amitryptaline is the one medication that's been most effective for my chronic daily headaches (not migraine). Haven't tried it with citalopram, but I've kept taking amitryptaline (currently 25mg) no matter what else I'm trying. It did lead to 30-40 pounds of extra weight, but every time I've tried stopping, the headaches get worse. Even with it, I have daily headaches.
Posted 9/11/2008 6:22 AM (GMT -7)
gosh could do without the weight gain! mine are daily headaches too but i get the odd migrain every month or so for a change....lasts about 3 days not nice!
i have cfs/m.e. and drs assume my headaches are tension related not sure i agree feels more like my brain swelling up in my skull more pressure than headaches.
ill be hopefull the amitrip helps then im only on 10mg but if it works maybe i can drop the citalopram and increase the amitrip to 25
thanks for the fast reply
Posted 9/12/2008 6:00 AM (GMT -7)
Yeah, the weight gain is a drag. I'd weighed the same, downright skinny until I went on amitryptaline. Then my weight shot up over the course of just a few months -- my appetite just increased dramatically. My stupid neurologist at the time said "Oh, it's just age" -- I was in my early 30s at the time. It was a number of years later that I found out weight gain is an extremely common side effect. But I'll take the extra weight as long as it comes along with less severe headaches.

If you've got a good doctor, he or she will work with you, tinkering around until you find the right mix of meds for you. Unfortunately, headache medicine is very experimental, mostly using drugs that weren't even originally intended for headaches (anti-depressants, anti-convulsants, anti-hypertensives, etc.). I've been writing my federal representatives to get more NIH funding specifically devoted to headache research, which is the best chance we have for real progress in treatment. As one in the medical research field, I know that if the research dollars are there, the research will follow!
Posted 9/13/2008 9:57 PM (GMT -7)
I tried the amitryptaline and it caused me to be too sleepy the next day. I also take Lexapro. I am now on Pamelor and it works much better for me. I have not noticed any weight gain with the Pamelor but I gained about 15 pounds on the Lexapro.
Posted 9/14/2008 10:18 AM (GMT -7)
i've taken amitriptyline. i actually ran out of my prescription a long time ago, and haven't been to the doctor in months. i'm just really scared to go back! but i need more medication.
i took a low dosage so it helped a little, but not so much. i've actually never heard of citalopram so I haven't taken it. But i got awful awful migraine headaches.
Posted 9/14/2008 10:23 AM (GMT -7)
so did everyone here gain weight during amitriptyline? i took only 10mg a few months ago, and i remember my appetite increasing so much it was crazy. i gained a lot of weight too. thats why i'm too afraid to go back on it because I don't want the weight. does anyone know any other good medications theyve taken other than amitriptyline for headaches without the bad weight gain?
Posted 9/15/2008 3:51 AM (GMT -7)
i might be ok with the weight thing becuse with the m.e. i feel very sick for most of the day

its crazy im really nervouse about taking it im so washed out anyway with m.e. anything that might make it worse wouldnt be good,

ive had chronic sinus pain too since jan and im at hospital this month seeing a specialist so hopeful that will help reduce my pain levels
Posted 9/16/2008 11:36 AM (GMT -7)
Yep, I gained 10 lbs in 3 weeks! It also made me too tired so I went off of it.
I have daily migraines, can't even remember all of the meds I am taking...back to Jefferson tomorrow for my follow up...I feel like crap. I have used up all of my sick days at work. Women from another office walked in the other day when I was giving myself an injection of toridol. mad
This is the worst it's ever been. I was on Fiorinol for a long time, but Jefferson does not use that drug due to dependence problems.

I did okay for a couple of days after my discharge then bad to same old. I have had a headache for 16 days now...
Posted 9/22/2008 3:23 AM (GMT -7)
I was on amitriptyline for undiagnosed atypical facial pain (which I think is either a tumour of sinus pain but the docs disagree!) - I didn't gain any weight atall whilst on this for 4 months. It didn't help with the pain either though :(
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