Nortriptyline for Migraine Prevention User Reviews (Page 5)

• sup...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 7, 2017

"I thought I'd share my experience as I was madly reading all the reviews on this website before starting this drug. I get it on the NHS in the UK, and I take 20 mg a day. Taking this drug and combining it with the plan in Dr. David Buchholz's book, Heal Your Headache, has been the closest I've got to a total cure for my chronic severe migraines. There are almost no side effects. It's amazing. A word of caution: at one point when I tried increasing to higher doses above 20 mg, I had very bad mood swings for a few days. Even when I started from 0 to 10 mg, I had very bad mood swings for a few days, but then it evens out and becomes unnoticeable."

• Anonymous
• March 3, 2015

"I've had migraines with aura since my early 20s (I'm 45 now). Over the past few years, their frequency has increased. As of December 2013, I was having them about 2 times per week. I was put on Nortriptyline 50 mg/day. I have had only one migraine in the past 14 months (and the one I had was when I tried to reduce the dosage). The dry mouth and orthostatic hypotension have stopped. The only problem is that I really cannot drink very much alcohol."

• Emm...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 22, 2017

"I'm 33. I have been taking 25 mg for the past 4.5 years. I have been getting aura migraines since I was 13. They have always been unpredictable and I could never pin down particular triggers. In my early 20s, I took Sandomigran for a couple of years but found I gained too much weight and still got migraines. For the first 4 years-pretty much to the day-of taking nortriptyline, I didn't have a single migraine, normal headaches lessened, my irritable bowel syndrome and endometriosis improved, and then I got the dreaded aura and a terrible migraine. I have now had 3 migraines in the past 5 months and I am curious as to why it's not working as effectively as it used to. Side effects: no weight gain, I get a dry mouth all day, lowered libido, restless sleep."

• Nan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 5, 2024

"I was referred by my family doctor to see a neurologist for vertigo symptoms. My symptoms included loss of balance and nausea almost every day. Then one day I experienced double vision and slurred speech as well. The neurologist diagnosed it as vestibular migraine and started me on nortriptyline 10mg at bedtime for one week, increasing to 20 mg thereafter. I slept great! Daytime sedation was a problem initially, but went away after a while. My quality of life has improved tremendously. It’s been 4 years and my only complaint is dry mouth. Drastic weather change occasionally triggers an attack but I will continue taking the medication as long as it works. Very grateful to the neurologist for his accurate diagnosis and excellent treatment plan."

• Anonymous
• April 9, 2012

"This past Jan. 2012, at the age of 50, I had two strokes, one attributed to my chronic migraines and the other from taking birth control pills for too many years. I have had migraines for over 10 years, and just before my stroke this year, I was having anywhere from 3 to 7 migraines a week. My neurologist prescribed Nortriptyline about 4 weeks ago. I have not had a single migraine since I started this medicine. I feel better than I have in years. I pray the medicine continues to work for me. The only side effect that I have noticed thus far is that sometimes my hands shake a little. I hope that I can take this medicine for a long time. It's nice being migraine-free!"

• Bea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2015

"I was offered this as an alternative to amitriptyline because it made me so drowsy I was struggling to function in the morning. I went to a neurology clinic, ended up in tears explaining how daily headaches were making me feel. So the neurologist prescribed me the 25 mg twice a day to increase to 50 mg twice a day, which to me was scary. I don't have depression, I have a headache! My pharmacist advised me to try half a tablet once a day (12.5 mg effectively), and it's day 5 now. I can honestly say I haven't felt this level of pain in my head since I was admitted to the hospital for a migraine back in January. I can't concentrate on anything, my vision is blurry, and my head feels too heavy to be supported by my neck. I have zero energy and no balance! Good luck."

• kat...
• March 15, 2015

"I am 40 and have had migraines since I was 18. I started taking nortriptyline, and it has changed my life. I have been taking this for about 8 years. I was having migraines twice a week and now only have them twice a year. Miracle!!"

• min...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2015

"Switched from amitriptyline to nortriptyline because I was told the side effects were less severe. My vision was already altered because of amitriptyline, so I am unsure if nortriptyline contributes. The side effects of hostility and aggression have lessened. However, the sweating is still constant. Sleeping is okay, just have a hard time falling asleep. The overall experience outweighs the headaches. I am thankful my migraines and daily headaches have lessened."

• Jan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 21, 2015

"I've had migraines since my teens, and they became more frequent as an adult. A doctor prescribed nortriptyline as a preventative in my mid-20s. It worked well for me. We did 10 mg at night for a few months and stopped, it worked well. When the migraines became more frequent a few years later, we switched to continued use and 20 mg a night. Migraines are now rare unless I am dealing with serious stress. Headaches, in general, have been reduced in number."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 29, 2012

"This medicine changed my life in a sense. I am on Latuda (an antipsychotic) and a lot of Wellbutrin, but I was still depressed and having migraines almost every day. I was put on only 30 mg a night to prevent headaches and to help me sleep. It certainly made me sleep a lot the first few nights. At first, I was afraid it was a dud, but then, 2 weeks later, my migraines were less frequent; after 2 months on it, I have about 20 percent of the migraines I used to have. I get great sleep, and the best (and most surprising) part was that, although it is a tiny dose, it was just what I needed to finally not be depressed and anxious. I only gave it 9 stars instead of ten because sometimes the dry mouth is unbearable at times."

• hyp...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 16, 2015

"Had a headache for over 6 months, even got scanned for a tumor. Got glasses, avoided computer/TV, removed caffeine from diet. Nothing. Now taking 50 mg at bedtime for a little over a month with almost no headache. Forgot to fill my prescription and went without for 2 days ... back to an extreme headache. Headache definitely fixed by nortriptyline!"

• bwi...
• January 2, 2017

"I've had a really bad headache for over 6 weeks now. On my right side. I say a because it is almost constant, day and night every day. Seldom have I had headaches my entire life. I'm now 60. After 4 visits to a doctor, the first one prescribed antibiotics saying I had a sinus infection - no help whatsoever, the second guy Midrin, same thing. I was prescribed nortriptyline at 25 mg once a day by my last visit with a new doctor. It has been 3 days, so not much change yet. I can put up with any or all the side effects mentioned if I get relief. I will repost in a week or 2, when hopefully it has kicked in. Scheduled for a CAT scan in 2 days... we'll see. Reading these posts has given me some hope."

• Mig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2013

"I started Nortriptyline about 2 months ago. Doc started me on 10 mg/day and asked me to increase to 50 mg/day. Started taking it at night but was oversleeping, so started taking it in the morning. Missed one dose by 12 hours and immediately got a migraine that lasted for 4 days. However, after 2 months, the medicine doesn't seem to be working. I've started getting weekly migraines again that last 4-5 days. Have emailed my doc for help because I can't afford all the time off work and being a neglectful parent! I had dry mouth in the beginning, but that has gone away. I used to have an uncontrollable bladder, but the medication has cured that (thank goodness). Haven't noticed weight gain."

• Vis...
• April 19, 2012

"Visual migraines since junior high. Incredible pain following the event, including vomiting. No one could help... internal medicine doctors, ophthalmologists, neurologists. At age 32, a foot doctor tells me that I am a victim of visual migraines and suggested nortriptyline. Went to the neurologist for medicine. I am on 50 mg taken each night before bed. Visual effects still occur intermittently, but the migraine is aborted. Still have a headache for three days, but the medicine keeps me from being incapacitated for days. I am now 50 years old and could not live without it. I have dry mouth, redness of skin, sensitivity to the sun, and problems urinating at times, but these issues are nothing compared to what I lived with for 20 years. I highly recommend the product!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 29, 2017

"I started this medication last year at 10 mg for my migraines. They were so severe, I couldn't function, and they were almost daily for me. So my doctor prescribed me nortriptyline. It really helped almost immediately. However, about 1 month in, I got super groggy and lethargic during the day for no reason. I decided that I would just stay on the medication anyway. I am so glad I did because this medication helps so much with my migraines. I am now on 20 mg, and I only get a migraine once a month or less. I would highly recommend it for people with chronic migraines."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2015

"I started suffering from migraines in my early 30s. I had tried everything you could think of. I was missing work 4-5 times a month. I ended up in the emergency room and was given Dilaudid several times (they call this prescription heroin because it's so very strong). A few weeks back, I went to another doctor who gave me nortriptyline! He told me my migraines could be due to stress. For example, I know I have to go to work, I get ready, but then I decide to take the day off. I get a migraine. I work well under pressure, so my brain gets amped up for one thing and it's suddenly changed. Not that anyone asked for my medical history, ha. This medication works wonders!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 16, 2023

"Was given it for migraines. I also have Meniere's and have hearing loss and tinnitus. I took the first dose at bedtime and woke at 3 a.m. with my tinnitus screaming. I could not get back to sleep. I discontinued taking this after 2 doses."

• Anonymous
• January 29, 2012

"Friends - I have read many of your experiences, and mine is similar. I had a problem with a botched epidural; it created leakage, and after the hole was closed, I encountered severe migraines almost continually for six months. I finally found my way to a clinic, and they properly diagnosed my problem and created a treatment so that now I am headache-free. I take 10 mg nortriptyline at bedtime. From what I can see, it is not just the nortriptyline, but the lack of access to well-trained physicians that understand headache pain."

• che...
• October 3, 2010

"I have been migraine-free for over a month now. I was getting 3-5 migraines a week with a continuous headache for 5 months straight and through the heat of the summer. The migraines stopped after just a few days on the medicine and have not come back. Even with the change of weather and congestion, the headache is not there. I haven't noticed any side effects, but it does make me sleepy. Helps get a good night's rest."

• Adr...
• May 24, 2010

"My neurologist prescribed nortriptyline 2 years ago to help with my chronic migraines, which I'd had since I was 13 years old. I'd suffer migraines at least 4 times a week, and the pain would be excruciating. I'd suffer from rebound migraines as well, and it turned out that I can't take medicines like Excedrin because they actually worsen my migraines. Imitrex stopped working. Once I started nortriptyline, I started seeing relief within the first two months. I'm on a steady 30 mg, and as long as I eat right, keep active, and reduce stress (a big factor to how they'd start at first), I only get level 8/9 migraines 2/3 a month, usually at the start and end of my menstrual cycle, and take Treximet for them."

• Anonymous
• February 4, 2012

"Migraine sufferer for 40 years. I have tried more medications to control them for the past 7 years. I was having 15 or more migraines a month. Last year I had one for 2 months, even my trip to the ER couldn't break it. After 7 years on Topamax and recently 3 Botox treatments for migraines with no luck, my neurologist, 2 months ago, had me try nortriptyline 25mg... works amazing. Even the pain in my neck from herniations and severe arthritis is 90% gone - but I am having blurred vision - hoping the lowered dose of 10mg in the morning and evening will alleviate this because feeling human again is a wonderful thing, something I haven't felt in years."

• Anonymous
• September 8, 2012

"This medication actually works for migraine prevention. I take only 30 mg a night, and I really didn't expect much. The first week I still had migraines almost every day, but then after that, I almost never get them... not even close. I haven't experienced any side effects except for tiredness in the beginning, and that's a good thing. It helps me relax before bed, and not living with constant pain is a blessing. Also, I'm on 450 mg of Wellbutrin but was still depressed; this tiny dose of nortriptyline for about 3 weeks has made all the difference, and I'm happier. Actually, if I had to say one bad thing about it, it's that it's made me crave sweets like crazy... I've gained 5 pounds. Otherwise, great med."

• Cla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 16, 2016

"So far, started treatment a week ago. Already experiencing horrible side effects: ongoing ringing ears; constantly nauseous; sluggish, tired during the day; lightheaded throughout the day; rapid heartbeat; had 2 nightmares in which I woke up catching my own breath because I thought I was dying. That same night, I had that dream twice; still cannot sleep more than 4 1/2, pushing 5 hours of sleep, with 10 mg. Still having migraines. Called my doctor's office 2 days ago and have not received a call back yet. I am supposed to go up to 30 or 40 mg. But with these side effects, I just want to get off of 10 mg."

• Oli...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 19, 2012

"I began Nortriptyline about one month ago and few side effects so far! I am thrilled to read several people's experiences have been mostly positive. I still have headaches, but nothing I need to run to urgent care for injection. I've taken Imitrex as needed for a couple of years, and it stopped working. I noticed lots of posts from people who work in healthcare, as I do, very stressful at times. I pray over time I will not have migraines. The anxiety of them popping up at work is awful. But these posts stating it works have me much more hopeful! Thanks all-"

• Tar...
• May 20, 2011

"I've been using nortriptyline for over 10 years now, and my migraine hasn't caused me severe pains anymore. I noticed that if I ever stop taking the medication, I start getting headaches again. I wanted to stop this medicine because of water retention and weight gain, but this is the only medicine so far that can help me with my migraine headache and also with my back pain after spinal surgery. The pros outweigh the cons of taking this medication, so I continue to use it up to now."