Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> After effects?
        
(Message started by: Numpty on Nov 6^th, 2007, 8:06am)

Title: After effects?
Post by Numpty on Nov 6^th, 2007, 8:06am

Hi there. I've just found this site after 10 years of CH, its nice to know I'm not alone!

I think I'm lucky in that my episodes generally last just 10-14 days and can be 2 to 3 years in between attacks. On Saturday night I came to the end of a 10 day attack. For the first week my doctor prescribed co-codamol with no effect (Which having now read the site is not surprising). Then on Thurs I was prescribed Amitriptyline to take at night. After two nights this had no noticable effect on the headaches, and then by saturday night the CH's had run their course, which obviously is great. The problem now is that nearly 3 days later I'm really light headed/dizzy which I've never experienced after the headaches before.

Can anyone help me with the cause/cure. Is the Amitriptyline to blame, and will it wear off soon?

Thankyou in advance for any help.

Title: Re: After effects?
Post by Garys_Girl on Nov 6^th, 2007, 11:51am

It may well be the amitryptyline: http://www.drugs.com/cdi/amitriptyline.html

My understanding is that it doesn't work too well as an anti-depressent, but it helps a number of people become drowsy enough to sleep. It is sometimes used to treat chronic pain, but I've never really seen anyone here report it as being effective for clusters, though it may well help some people.

I assume you're no longer taking it? You were on it such a short period of time - I'm sure it'll be out of your system soon. The half life is 12 - 24 hours, so apparently very dependent upon one's metabolism.

Drink a lot of green tea and water. That should help.

Glad you're out of cycle!

Laurie