Posted by Dan on April 16, 1999 at 06:04:13:
Hi,
I left a message about a month ago asking if the symptoms I had resembled cluster headaches. I am grateful to those of you who responded with advice, information and support. Acting on your advice I consulted a good neurologist and had a CT scan. The scan showed nothing sinister - thank God - and my neurologist agreed that CH was the likely diagnosis (although he prefers to wait for the cycle to return before making a final diagnosis).
However, when all of this madness started, I consulted my regular doctor three times in four days because I thought my head was exploding. He was convinced I was a stressed-out hypochondriac and got me on amitryptaline. The jerk didn't tell me it was an antidepressant, that it might have side-effects or that it might be dangerous to stop taking it all of a sudden.
After 9 weeks of HELL, the headaches have subsided, but recently I've noticed some shortness of breath and occassional heart palpitations as well as some tightness in my chest.
My question is ... could this be a side-effect of the amitryptaline?
How about stopping the medication? I've heard that this can be dangerous, but I was on a low dosage (10-20 mg) and I'm very anxious to be done with all the aches and pains. Can I just stop cold turkey? If so, should I expect any withdrawal symptoms?
I'd also like to add that I'm very impressed with and grateful for this sight and all of the people that regularly contribute to it. When people at work started wondering why I needed the occasional two-hour break to go pace the streets, I pointed them to this sight and they were nothing but supportive after that.
Thanks again,
Dan