anybody - tricyclic anti-depressants for migraine prevention

Is anybody taking a tricyclic anti-depressant (like Elavil or Pamelor) for migriane prevention?  Is it working?  If so what dosage?

Hi, I am taking Effexor which is not one of the older trycyclic, however my neuro told me Effexor miminics those meds becauseit works on serotonin and norepephrine (sp?) not just serotonin like Zoloft and Paxil. In any event, it doesnt seem to be helping my headaches. I have had no luck with preventatives.

But as you know we are all different, so good luck to you and let us know how it works.

I took amitryptyline (a tricyclic) for my chronic tension headaches. Unfortunately, it didn't do anything for me except help me sleep better at first. I hope it works for you!!!

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I tried Amitriptyline and Nortriptyline earlier as possible preventives but was never able to get up to the recommended "therapeutic level" specifically for migraine.   I have high-normal eye pressure readings, and evidently these drugs can increase eye pressure levels (not recommended for those with glaucoma - which I do not have), so I had to have special permission from an ophtholmologist to even try it.  But the main reason was that even on only 30mg / day I was just too sleepy to function comfortably and didn't see enough significant / consistent migraine reduction to make it worth pursuing.  But again, I know it does work for some people!

Thanks Mystery, the same goes for Topamax and eye pressure. The docs say not to worry but I never tested for Glaucoma before I took Topamax. Frankly, I don't think they really care. What are you taking now?

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Talk2Kel 

Interesting that Topamax can also affect eye pressures. . .  Hopefulmigrainer, you asked what I'm taking now (I assume you mean as a preventive??).    The only specific preventive I'm taking now (everything else I'm taking is abortive) is 5-HTP, to help my body produce more seratonin.  I got the most helpful info about 5-HTP at www.wholehealthmd.com.  (Go to "Reference Library", then "Supplements" - 5-HTP is just above the alphabetical list.)  So far I can't say for sure that it's making a difference, but I have a sense it may be.  Need to give it more time yet, and I'm only taking 50mg 2/day so far. . .   (My chiropractic and physiotheraphy treatments on neck / shoulders would also be considered preventive, but there has never been any direct relief from those.)  

(Hopefulmigrainer, did you also get the direct e-mail note I sent yesterday?  I went into more detail there.)

Heya!

I've been taking amitriptyline for about 8 months now- (up to 40 mg/daily right now)- and it has worked sometimes and not so much at others. I think it depends on what your headache triggers are: my biggest one i pressure changes in the weather-- which is eased somewhat by the meds. I also suffer from chronic daily headaches as opposed to periodic migraines, so our experiences may be different

I also tried nortriptyline for 2 months-- which didn't work at all. I did start seeing some improvement when I combined Ami and acupuncture-- acupuncture has a good track record with headache/migraine sufferers.

I've had a range of side effects with the medication, including weight gain and grogginess. I always take it before bedtime so that I'm not so dopey during the day.

Good luck!

Thank you, everyone. I did take it for a while and didn't notice too much of a difference but my Mom takes it for back pain and swears it's the best thing out there -- oldie but goodie. I don't like the weight gain part of it unless I know it's going to work. I would love to try acupuncture but I don't have the $. :(

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Talk2Kel