Amitriptyline and Headaches: What Users Say

• Sri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 25, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "Amitriptyline worked well for insomnia, depression, anxiety, sadness, lack of interest in daily activities, boredom, suicidal thoughts, etc. Helped relieve headache, migraine, and nerve pain. It saved my life... thanks a lot."

• Hay...
• October 5, 2019

Amitriptyline for Pain "I am 37 years old. I started getting headaches at 13, from what I can remember. I went on day to day, year after year. When I was 26, I was put in hospital with all the drugs. Well, I was getting headaches monthly, bad ones. I couldn’t even handle light. As the years went on, I got them once every 6 months, putting me in the hospital. Then they started coming on every couple of months, then once a month, all the way down to 3 a week. By this stage, my face was numb. I couldn’t talk or walk. I could not have any light, losing memory. About 3 months ago, I went to a brilliant doctor and I couldn’t see, so I needed help going there and walking to him. He said to me, 'have you heard of ENDEP?' I have taken my Endep every night since for over 3 months now. And only had two very, very small headaches. I’ve been given a second chance at life. I’m very grateful. I thank my doctor so very much."

• Cat...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 2, 2018

Amitriptyline for Depression "It was the only antidepressant that worked for me way back in the 80s. They tried everything else but MAOIs. It has had no side effects for me in the past 35 years. BUT, in the 90s, a doctor (an MD) wanted to see if the newer SSRIs would work also so I said OK. Well, about 3 weeks into this venture, I got a headache so bad that I called her and said I can't live with this pain. Needless to say, she immediately got me back on Elavil. Don't try going off this medicine because it has a very bad side effect. That is OK for me though. I'm now 79 and figure I will always take it. Told my doctor if I ever go into a coma, please always give me this medicine until I die! I do take the generic now because of the price, and it works just as well."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 17, 2015

For Pain "I'm 20 years old and have both fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. I also use amitriptyline to treat my depression and my sleep. Before my rheumatologist prescribed this, I went through numerous other things which all caused me to get horrible headaches, stomach problems, and did nothing for my depression. I sleep well pretty much every night and I don't wake up feeling groggy. I don't have as many 'bad body days' anymore, and I feel way better emotionally."

• Gus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 28, 2021

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I was literally suicidal before I started this medication. I fought having to take it, and now I wish I'd taken it sooner. It has quite literally saved my life. I am very sensitive to medication, so I started on 2.5 mg and crept it up to 5 mg. I am at least 90% better! I absolutely fully recommend giving this drug a chance if you get to the point where not living feels like your only escape. I was scared, but I need not have been. Very mild side effects... slight weakness and tiredness at first, and a headache for a few days."

• Lyd...
• November 14, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "This was a phenomenal find! I could not function in everyday tasks until beginning amitriptyline. I couldn't even try to upset myself or feel worried while on amitriptyline. I went from constant unknown fear and breathing difficulty to floating on a cloud without a fear in the world. The first few weeks had some challenging side effects. Blackouts, memory loss, numbness in face, lethargic, more sleepy than usual, dry mouth, and munchies. All those disappeared after a month or so. I did try to get off it to see how my anxiety could manage on its own. Withdrawals were pretty miserable. Two weeks of headaches, nausea, irritability, and dizziness. I did get back on it when anxiety came back full-blown. Slowly increased up to 75mg. Hope it works for you!"

• Ntm...
• October 4, 2016

For Fibromyalgia "I've been taking this drug for 15 years. It saved me. Within 3 days of starting it my fog lifted (to me, the fog was like looking at life through a movie camera). The deep tissue pain went away. It has never had any effect on my sleep patterns. For the first 10 years I was able to keep it to one 10 mg pill per day. The last five, I've had to double it to 20 mg (headaches). Way back, about 3 years into this I was having trouble sleeping - quite a few nights I couldn't sleep at all, so I thought if I could take 1/2 a lorazepam it would help. Not wanting to combine the medications, I didn't take the amitriptyline for 3 nights. On the following day I was on the floor in agony. I've NEVER missed another dose."

• tri...
• August 30, 2007

Amitriptyline for Pain "I have been taking Endep for about 20 years for pain and to help me sleep. I have seen many specialists and GPs over the years, and none of them warned me about chronic periodontal disease because of dry mouth. I was on 50mg per day. I had to have three teeth removed. I am now on 25mg. I have many health problems, apparently due to a seronegative autoimmune disease. I am also experiencing symptoms of headaches, vertigo, dizziness, balance problems, etc."

• THE...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 3, 2016

For Pain "Used to sleep through nighttime back pain. When I wake up at night, it is easy to get back to sleep. I use 10 mg. Initially woke in the morning with headaches, but learned to take it 3 hours before bedtime and no more headaches. Sometimes slightly groggy in the morning, but short-lived. Sometimes wake up in the morning really stiff but had good sleep. Couple of stretching exercises and good to go."

• Jul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 26, 2016

For Pain "I was put on amitriptyline 10 mg to help with severe back pain and a trapped sciatic nerve affecting the lower right leg very badly. I had to stop driving. I started to sleep extremely well, but I had not really had much pain to cope with at night, so there was nothing special to note there. Daytime pain seemed unchanged until about 5 to 6 weeks into the course. I did notice that daytime pain had lessened. However, I also noticed that in weeks 6 to 7, I was feeling extremely low, depressed, lifeless, and started to have dull headaches. I reread the side effects and decided to stop the drug immediately. I am a different person, feeling so much more alive, and for me, the drug caused an effect more serious than the back and leg pain."

• See...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2018

Amitriptyline for Depression "I've been on probably every SSRI except Prozac, which all had short-lived outcomes. Finally, after 20 years, I've been put on an SNRI, and it's working. Started on 10 mg Endep for appetite, which didn't work, and given Valium for the shakes and tears. Valium stopped working in less than 2 weeks, so I stopped taking it, and the psych increased the dosage of Endep to 25 mg, and I'm actually feeling good. After 6 months of awfulness, this might be my answer. Sleeping well, lots of energy, memory and concentration are better, and no more teeth grinding. No real side effects except for the first day I started on the 10 mg, I copped a bad headache, but that was it."

• DKN...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 10, 2017

For Pain "I was prescribed amitriptyline 10mg nightly for nerve pain. I have had spinal surgery involving a C5/6 discectomy, while C4/5 and C6/7 are prolapsed. With the C6/7 prolapse worsening, the pain through my neck, upper back, shoulder, and arm was becoming unbearable. Although the initial pain at the C6/7 disc site has not completely gone (due to the disc nearing surgery stage), I have found it gave me great relief from my peripheral pain, allowing me to get some sleep. The side effects in the first few days were a bit of confusion, I felt a bit dizzy and tired. My husband saw me through the first couple of days, it was worth it. I have had cortisones and am now coming off all tablets. Headaches, but not bad."

• Shi...
• April 16, 2017

For Insomnia "I was prescribed these for insomnia and anxiety. I've been on every antidepressant you can think of, all with awful side effects. I do get a dry mouth, tiredness, headaches, and mild anxiety with amitriptyline, but it's much more manageable - I was suffering from daily, pretty constant anxiety before starting amitriptyline. I'm on 30 mg. My sleep is 90% better (which after 12 years of chronic insomnia is amazing)."

• Sco...
• December 14, 2015

For Fibromyalgia "Went through such amazing pain due to fibromyalgia and severe headaches, I wanted to die. After trying amitriptyline, my pain had completely disappeared. I also found I feel completely balanced, confident, and very happy. I just wish I fell asleep a little quicker."

• ras...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 20, 2015

Amitriptyline for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "1st started taking for depression and PTSD and anxiety. Then I got in an accident, now I take it for the above as well as headaches, leg pain, nerve pain in legs. Great old school drug. Oh, also helps insomnia."

• Te ...
• September 22, 2014

For Pain "First, I would like to thank each of you for your comments. After reading the side effects of this medication, I was very leery about starting it. I took my first one last night: 25 mg. Nothing on the paperwork stated it would help headaches. I've had a constant headache since June 28th. Sometimes it's a little better, but most times it stops me in my tracks. I will follow up the longer I take it. Thank you again."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 12, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "I started amitriptyline over a year ago. I started at 25 mg, progressed up to 75 mg, it has helped me a lot. I can sleep at night now. The pressure in my head has not totally gone away at times, but it is an amazing drug for me. It has helped me a lot, and I would recommend taking it for over 2 weeks before deciding it is not working. It took time to start feeling a difference, but I am not one who likes medication. This one, after trying so many other drugs, is the first one that actually worked for me. I never want to stop if it means the migraines, head pressure, and severe vertigo will come back."

• SAm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2018

Amitriptyline for Insomnia "The worst pill I've ever taken for insomnia. I got prescribed Elavil 25 mg to take before bed. I took the first tab, and it made me very sleepy and dizzy, but I could not fall asleep. I was in a state between sleep and awake. Very dry mouth, very restless, and the second morning I felt that I could not move. It also caused me headaches. Will be throwing the rest in the garbage. Terrible drug."

• Ped...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 18, 2020

For Depression "I was originally prescribed amitriptyline to help with my depression and back pain, but I think it also helped my sleep. A few doctors seem keen to take me off it. I don’t know why, because I’ve been on it for over 10 years, and I sleep well while I’m on it. My pain is kept in check, as is my depression. As soon as they try to take too much of it away, I’m awake again all hours, like at 4:13 AM, like at the moment. I start getting headaches and feeling unwell again, so I told my doctor the other day that I’m not reducing further than 1 tablet!"

• Pau...
• November 3, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "1 month in on my 2nd stint on amitriptyline for migraines, anxiety, low mood, 25 mg/day. I feel it's starting to have a good effect, symptoms have gone from a 7-8 to a 2-3. At first, it seemed to be making things worse, the side effects the first week were horrific: headaches, confusion, brain fog, anxiety. But around week 2-3, I started to feel some improvement and have continued slow but steady improvement since then. Last time I took it was a few years ago for about a year and a half, eventually, I weaned off of it and was fine for a while, but then the migraines came back. I have seen some studies where amitriptyline has been shown to increase neurogenesis in the brain, so it helps to rebuild and rewire the brain. Hopefully, I will be able to wean off of it again in time. Happy to have found something that works, I would give it a 10, but some minor side effects that have to be dealt with: constipation, dry skin, mouth, weight gain."

• poe...
• May 23, 2016

Amitriptyline for Depression "I have only been on this drug for two weeks, and as yet, I have not noticed any difference with my depression. My anxiety levels are up, I have swooshing, buzzing noises in my ears. I even feel dizzy while seated and even just turning my head from side to side. I have noticed tingling in my fingers. My balance is affected, feeling like a drunk person. My head throbs."

• Ste...
• February 4, 2013

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I've got two issues going now: irritable bowel syndrome - or at least they are pretty sure that is what it is - sour stomach and bloating and lots of gas - plus urinary urges from prostate surgery. The IBS symptoms started in Oct (4 months ago). I am a 68-year-old male. The doctor prescribed the amitriptyline last week and I'm on my fourth day of 10 mg before bed. I sleep sounder than ever and get up after 8 hours but tired, trying to eat a healthy breakfast (oatmeal, toast, and coffee - gotta have my coffee). Getting some late morning headaches and some of the day better than others. I do not have diarrhea but some constipation. Not sure how many days before I know it works. I really feel for those of you who posted that you've had IBS for years!"

• Jen...
• April 20, 2021

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I went to my GP for what I thought was my ovarian pain, turns out it's my IBS flaring up, and the pain was due to constipation. I was also experiencing horrific headaches at this time. My GP prescribed amitriptyline for the headaches short-term, which I had been previously prescribed for sleep issues. I was apprehensive as to whether they would do anything due to my previous experience in that they didn't really help, how wrong was I. On the first night, I took 10 mg along with my other meds. Lo and behold, I woke up headache-free for the first time in 4 days, and the IBS pain I'd been experiencing for over a week slowly decreased over the day. I phoned my GP and explained what a turnaround I had in just over a week and requested I stayed on them as they seemed to work wonders. I went from being constipated for 5-6 days to having a BM every day with little to no effort. Honestly, if you're struggling with your IBS, speak with your GP about amitriptyline."

• Bru...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2021

For Neuropathic Pain "I’ve been taking amitriptyline for 5 months to manage chronic nerve pain in both legs and feet. I’ve experimented with very low (5-10 mg) to moderate (40-60 mg) doses in an attempt to find the right level to manage my pain and without the side effects. I’ve found tweaking the dose up and down depending on how my body feels each day is quite effective. I typically range between 30-45 mg a day. While quite effective at reducing nerve pain (around 50-70%), there are persistent side effects. Heart palpitations, headaches, tinnitus, fatigue, and short-term memory issues - all tolerable compared to unchecked nerve pain. The drug also helps greatly with the duration of sleep each night, which in turn assists in managing pain and mood."

• Kit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2016

For Pain "I am currently 16 years old and have chronic nerve pain in my left arm. It has been 2 years so far. The doctors did basically nothing until now because my insurance (state insurance) was having them go through all kinds of hoops. Finally, I was sent to pain management in the recent month, and from there I was prescribed amitriptyline HCl. I've found so far, after taking this medication for almost a week, 10 mg 30 minutes before I go to bed, that I've been having intense headaches, but only on the right side of my brain, along with sinus pressure and extreme drowsiness. I literally have slept an entire 19 hours! Normally, I only sleep from 10 PM to 6 AM, so sleeping this long is insane. So far, it hasn't helped with my pain either... :("