Posted by Deb (205.200.65.75) on May 11, 2000 at 11:45:06:
In Reply to: Amitriptyline-any successes? posted by Dave Sheppard on May 11, 2000 at 11:12:03:
Hi Dave: As a preventative I have had some success with amitriptylene. My cycle started April 6, immediately I was started on 30mg Amitriptylene at night, along with Flonase (corticosteriod nasal spray)for the morning. I have had 3-4 occasions of CH trying to break through at about 5:30 am, they were minimal in intensity about 5-6 on Kip Scale, and easily managed with Ibuprofen. Each time this happened I increased my Amitriptylene dose by 10mg. I am now taking 75mg. I had one #9 break through 2 mornings ago. It wasn't easily managed and I am seeing my doc about abortives (hopefully o2) today. Anyway, this combo has pretty successfully held the beast at bay. I have also increased my caffeine intake - coffee, tea and Chocolate, knowing that caffeine helps with CH, the Chocolate may in fact be a side effect of Amitriptylene (crave sweets), but other than that and a little bit of dry mouth it's been great. Highly recommend it be taken at night, because by morning the dizziness effect etc., will have worn off. Also ask your doc to prescribe in 25 & 10 mg, and this way you can increase your dosage if you feel it trying to break through. I would be interested to know what dosage you were prescribed? I would also suggest that maybe you speak to doc about prescription for Flonase (flutacasone) (corticosteriod) - Predinose (corticosteriod) has been very effective for many as prevention but the side effects are very difficult to handle. The nasal spray however is not distributed systemically and therefore it seems you get the benefits but not the side effects, this according to my doc. (I have had none). So all in all it's pretty much held the beast at bay for about 5 weeks, my cycle is usually 8, so for me this cycle has been a breeze. Wishing you much success. Keep us posted.