New Daily Persistent Headache Support Group

Hi!

I've recently started taking Amitriptyline to help with my NDPH.

Anybody out there in the same boat? When I asked my Neurologist why I should take it, his answer was: "try it or not, it's up to you. However, we've found that it helps in 50% of the patients with chronic headaches".

I've tried a whack of stuff, so I'm giving it a try. So far so good..I've slowly ramped up to a 40mg dose (still low), but it seems to be helping my headache - not reducing it persay, but making it more manageable.

I'd be interested in hearing any other Amitriptyline stories, and I'd be glad to share any information that I may have picked up along this journey.

Cheers

I was on elavil for about a year it didnt help that much I did sleep better.But they took me off because they said it can cause headache and dizziness.That is one of the strong ones that they said had more side effects but I could take that one with min side effects. I Thought about trying it again but they keep saying no.I hope it works for you.Keep me informed about your progress Have a good one.

I haven't tried that one yet, but as always I am very interested to hear what works/doesn't work for other people. I like to know how people with NDPH react to things not just how people with chronic headache do, but often there aren't any studies done specifically with us so the best we can do is just talk amongst ourselves. Not very scientific, but at least it is something. Thanks to both of you for sharing your experiences. Anyone else who has tried it please jump in and share too.

I have tried Amitriptyline and I felt absolutely no effect from it(that and about 5 other meds).

my belief with NDPH is that, while it's a short and specific list of symptoms that define it, it's really only a convenient label. It doesn't surprise me that things work differently for others - as I'm sure that we are all dealing with different issues that happen to present in this manner.

I know this sounds a wee bit pessimistic, but I think it's an obvious statement to make.

sorry to hear that you are having no luck with your meds.

I have to agree that we are probably dealing with at least a few different actual causes which is why it is so hard to get anywhere with identification and treatment. The only way to sort it out right now is to group us into people who respond to something and people who don't. Then further sub group us by what worked if anything did. It just isn't a lot to work with. The causes probably are similar to give us all similar symptoms, but we really don't even know that. For all we know some of us could have a neurologically based problem and some of us could have something that started with some other problem like a virus or something. I still hope that those who have had no luck with meds will find something that will help even if it is something weird (like the meds they try on us aren't already weird). I am hopefull that someday medical science will have us sorted out, particularly as they understand the brain more and more, but I have no idea how long that will take. Probably a very long time.

I took it during two months without any effect, aside from an annoying dry mouth side effect (I drank more water than ever in my life).

My daughter, who has migraines 24/7, takes Elavil (amitriptyline) and it is one of the few meds that helps her. This is the one that depletes

vitamin B2 and Co Q10. A rare side effect is that your hair will fall out. Take B2 supplements...MigreLief (www.MigreLief.com) or the GNC store has B2 100 mg and you can take up to 400 mg/day. Also, Co Q10 is available anywhere, even Walmart. Migraine pts usually take 150 mg. Please check with your MD first. Good luck...I hope it works for you!

so far so good...not a complete fix mind you, but it makes it somewhat manageable. I'm at 40mgs...I don't want to get higher, as I know it can mess with ya.

Thanks for the information.

I tried Amatyptaline and it did nothing. It helped me sleep a bit at first but now it doesnt so it is useless. Hope it works for you.