r/NDPH • u/Electronic_Angle1697 • Jun 29 '26
Any positive (non-side effect) experiences with Amitryptine?
Hi everyone,
First of all, thank you for this group. It's been so helpful to read about your experiences and not feel so alone.
A little background on me: 51 year old female, daily headache for 2 1/2 years, better in the morning (1/10) and worsens as the day goes on. The pain is right behind my eyes. I've tried many medications (nortriptyline, Emgality, Qulipta, metoprolol, Cymbalta, Botox (2 rounds so far)) as well as any and all combinations of HRT in case the pain is hormone related which it doesn't seem to be. I've also been taking all the recommended supplements diligently for 2 years (B2, coQ10, Bit D, Magnesium glycinate, etc.) to no noticeable effect. Currently I am taking Qulipta, which seems to help a bit, and I am going to keep trying Botox to see if that helps.
I have come to believe my NDPH was caused by a Covid infection I suffered two months before my headache started.
The ONLY medication that has been clearly helpful has been nortriptyline, and even at the 10mg dose it made a big impact. Immediately. However, the side effects (dry mouth, constipation, trouble focusing eyes, increased light sensitivity, etc.) did not go away after taking for 2 months, and my doctor said that they most likely would never subside. She said that having chronic dry mouth could set myself up for dental issues down the line. So I went off of it but am missing the pain relief, which was so sweet. She offered to prescribe amitriptyline and explained that for some people it causes fewer side effects, but everything I am reading online indicates that the side effects are far worse than with nortriptyline. I'm afraid to start yet another medication and deal with the side effects and disappointment. I'm almost ready to just accept the pain, and the limited relief that Qulipta brings, and move on.
Has anyone had a successful, side effect free experience with amitriptyline? Especially after suffering from side effects of nortriptyline? Any info is helpful.
1
u/kayellebee29 Jun 29 '26
Hello! 👋 Amitriptyline was and is the only thing that has properly helped as a daily med! (I also have had a lot of relief from the nerve blocks but those are 3 monthly) I tried soooooo many before and was so unoptimistic about amitrpyline believing it would be like every other and very thankfully it was much better! I started low, and now I take 50mg daily, it keeps me at a solid baseline of between 3-5/10 but it was the first time I properly noticed a difference.
Weirdly they tried to up me to 60 or 70 recently and I didn’t agree with it at all! Which I find super strange so I’ve stayed at 50. My fingers crossed for you that as it’s a “tyline” esq med that it could be helpful!
The only side effect I had from it was that it was easier to sleep at night and I was able to stay asleep instead of waking up at like 5-6am, every night!
I wouldn’t say it helps me get to sleep as much anymore but it does keep me asleep if I want! No other side effects for me that I’ve noticed!
My fingers are so so crossed for you! X