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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> amatriptaline
        
(Message started by: kaz101 on Apr 12^th, 2006, 6:33am)

Title: amatriptaline
Post by kaz101 on Apr 12^th, 2006, 6:33am

my doctor as prescribed me 25mg amatriptaline daily, I havent tried it yet as im reluctent to use a anti depresent. Has anyone tried it.

Title: Re: amatriptaline
Post by floridian on Apr 12^th, 2006, 12:09pm

The tricyclics (like amitryptiline) have been shown to have some value in preventing neurovascular headaches - (unlike the SSRI's).

25 mg per day (at night?) is a pretty low dose - not likely to have side effects unless a person is very sensitive. At higher doses, it can zombify a person.

Title: Re: amatriptaline
Post by Karla on Apr 12^th, 2006, 9:32pm

Also called Elavil A few People have reported on the board success with this medicine in doses from 20-50mg. It is the only antidepressant that has shown any promise with ch. Good luck with it and may it work for you.

Title: Re: amatriptaline
Post by Mr. Happy on Apr 12^th, 2006, 10:30pm

A CH mate down the road is using Nortriptyline, and swears by it. Gives him a good night's sleep. This year.

Just passing along info.
RJ

Title: Re: amatriptaline
Post by vietvet2tours on Apr 13^th, 2006, 9:03am

Side effects:
Anticholinergic effects (e.g. dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, palpitations, tachycardia, associated sublingual adenitis or gingivitis). Weight loss or gain. Tinnitus, drowsiness, nervousness, insomnia, Hypotension, dizziness, rash sweating, confusion, mania, psychosis, heart block, arrhythmias, extrapyramidal symptoms. Gastric upset. Endocrine effects (e.g. changes in libido, impotence, gynecomastia, galactorrhea). Rarely, bone marrow depression, hepatic toxicity, seizures, peripheral neuropathy, severe cardiovascular effects in patients with cardiac disease, photosensitivity, Dysarthria, stuttering, renal failure.

Title: Re: amatriptaline
Post by NotH20 on Apr 13^th, 2006, 9:50am

Are those the side affects from amatriptaline or from nortriptiline??? Or are they the same drug? I ask because my neuro suggested the nortrip. for me, but we haven't pursued this medication yet.

Thanks, Mia

Title: Re: amatriptaline
Post by kcopelin on Apr 13^th, 2006, 3:44pm

I'm on 10 mg of Elavil along with 9 mg of melatonin at night. Had night time hits the first night, and none since...been about 6 months. Don't know about taking higher dosages or during the daytime-persoanlly I don't want to take anything that will make me sleepy or relaxed during the day-sure fire way to get hit.
Good luck
PFDAN
kathy

Title: Re: amatriptaline
Post by Icey on Apr 13^th, 2006, 4:21pm

Amatriptaline was one of the first drugs I tried for CH , was brilliant knocked that cycle on the head . Yeah I sufferd side affects dry mouth etc ,but was the least of my problems . In the bout after that I tried it again, didn't work :(

Good luck !

Title: Re: amatriptaline
Post by vig on Apr 13^th, 2006, 5:37pm

I used it successfully, if you can call THAT success.

It takes about a week to kick in, but then it stops it almost completely.
Well, until you taper off of it, then CH comes back.
However, I was WAAAAY more retarded than I usually am. Groggy, Dopey all the time.... plus I wasn't worth a f..... (It does that too, TMI)

it was just as much a 'quality of life' killer as CH.
(IMHO)
so I don't use it anymore.

Title: Re: amatriptaline
Post by mynm156 on Apr 13^th, 2006, 8:54pm

This is one of those drugs that doent play well with others so make sure that the doctor knows all your meds and ask at the pharmacy as well.

Good Vibes

MYNM156

Title: Re: amatriptaline
Post by sarahmom on Apr 21^st, 2006, 10:54pm

My husband started taking this a few years ago (for reasons other than headache or depression). It was really funny, because one day he came to me and said "Honey, I can not believe this. This medicine really makes your beard grow FAST". I promptly replied, "No dear, you've simply been sleeping for almost 3 days straight". It was funny.