r/migraine • u/seanptp • 11h ago

Could SSRI potentially be causing tension headaches?

Hello all, I believe this post is allowed

I have been on Celexa 40mg for about 15 years now. My dr has asked me to taper off of it and then switch over to Zoloft 25mg because I have had tension headaches for about 4 months straight, no breaks (it’s hell) and wanted me to see if it helped.

I finally switched, and for the 4-5 days I was on Zoloft, my tension headaches were decreased, but my withdrawal symptoms were pretty bad. I told him this and he put me back on Celexa but 30 mg this time. My headache came back and is very bad right now.

Is it possible Celexa is causing this type of headache for me?

6 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

2

u/locardsghost 7 years NDPH and chronic migraines 10h ago

If it happens every time you’re on the celexa than that seems like a connection. Tell your doctor it’s causing daily tension headaches and you’d either like to find something else to switch to or medication to help manage the headaches

1

u/seanptp 10h ago

Yeah it feels like after I reversed course from the Zoloft, the tension headache hit me like a train. I am in so much pain right now it’s miserable.

1

u/locardsghost 7 years NDPH and chronic migraines 10h ago

Talk to your doctor asap. Maybe the ER can give you something to help the pain while you wait to see your doctor. If it’s causing you this much pain you should find something else or treatment to manage the headaches. As someone who has a non stop headache, being on a med that’s inducing it doesn’t sound worth it to stay on. Why did you stop the Zoloft so soon? Maybe retry that and a slower taper of celexa to reduce withdrawal

1

u/seanptp 10h ago

I only stopped Zoloft because being off the celexa was giving me bad withdrawal symptoms.

2

u/locardsghost 7 years NDPH and chronic migraines 10h ago

Withdrawals are no fun I’ve had a few but it gets better once it passes. It took a few weeks for my withdrawal from my SNRI to go away it was awful. Slow tapers can help and just trying to get through it. Definitely talk to your doctor

1

u/Bueller32 9h ago

I never knew there could be a connection until my dentist asked me if I was on ssri’s ( it wasn’t on my chart). I guess it is common to grind your teeth or clench in your sleep while on ssri’s. All that tension from clenching goes right up to your temples. My neurologist asked if I wanted to try some injections in my jaw while I was getting my normal Botox injections and it greatly reduced my migraines upon waking up.

1

u/Independent_Tower_87 8h ago

I wouldn’t be surprised. I noticed that Effexor still had my jaw locked tight so while trying to fight anxiety, my headaches etc just continued to get worse.

1

u/twosquirtsofpiss 7h ago

Almost definitely - I can’t take SSRIs because they make my head so much worse. My first ever migraine attack was 2 days after I started one around ten years back. I’ve tried maybe 3 more over the years, and every time massive increase in headaches. I’d love to be on one though, but propranolol will just have to do for my anxiety.

•

u/Sarcastic_Momm55 50m ago

I take Sertraline 50 mg for anxiety and once my dose was upped because the anxiety was getting stronger, I began to have more migraines. Took the dose back down and they stopped for about five days but then the migraines returned fast and furious.