Since i started taking Elavil (amitryptiline 10 mg), my migraines are almost gone. I haven’t taken pain medication for the past 5 weeks (used to take Advil almost daily, sometimes Naproxen and Tylenol) and have only had light headaches. No more flashing lights, less palinopsia, less vertigo and the unbalance i used to have everytime i would turn a corner or change direction is almost gone.
I still have some episodes of light vertigo, but nothing unbearable.
I know some of you can’t take that medication but for those who haven’t tried it, it’s worth a shot.
It improved my life A LOT! And i am even happier of the symptoms change as i have to get my thyroid removed next month as they found what seems to be cancer… so at least in the meantime i don’t have to worry about migraines and vertigo.
Oh, I’m so sorry about your diagnosis. I hope your surgery goes well. (I’m also very happy that you’ve found something to help with your other problems…)
Thanks. It is not a fun thing to be told. However thyroid cancer is the least dangerous form of cancer and the doctor told me i would not die from it. And based on that, i think i prefer that diagnosis to being told i will have constant vertigo for a year ;-))
I saw my neurologist this morning and my heart is fine… so i continue with the medication. yay!
Also, a few months ago he had prescribed me low-dose aspirin because i was at risk of stroke because of my constant migraines. This morning he said i don’t have to take it anymore because my migraines are gone. yay
sheesh- to have mav, then cancer on top of this mess? i am so sorry. but by the sound of your posts, you are positive and a fighter! congrats on finding a solution to help feeling better!! i saw that this drug helped someone with mdds which i also suffer from so i might look into trying this drug next. best wishes to you!
sheesh- to have mav, then cancer on top of this mess? i am so sorry. but by the sound of your posts, you are positive and a fighter! congrats on finding a solution to help feeling better!! i saw that this drug helped someone with mdds which i also suffer from so i might look into trying this drug next. best wishes to you!
— End quote
That’s a very lovely post, thank you so much. I am trying to stay positive… although i have my moments of rage, tears and anxiety. Thanks again
So glad to hear to hear you have such a reduction in your MAV symptoms! I hope this provides you more strength to get through get through your cancer dx.
Well i am getting my operation next Friday. To remove the thyroid, they stretch your neck at maximum extension which will probably cause migraines and vertigo when i wake up from anestesia… wish me luck… this might be a very stressful and bad period for me, with the cancer diagnostic on top of it all!! Hopefully amitryptiline will continue doing its job and make my migraines and vertigo less violent that they would have been without the medication. I am stressed :-/
Sovertigo
Hope your op goes well & that the dizziness,etc won’t be too awful when you wake. it’s an added stress that you don’t need! Soon be over & get back on your path to recovery.
Barb
At least the operation went well. I now have to keep my fingers crossed that it’s behind me, although there’s a 5 % chance that it will come back during my life. Gotta think positive!
On the positive side : elavil has really improved my quality of life of at least 75 %. Yay!
What really great news! Thank you for stopping by to let us all know. It must be such a nice relif.
I’m sorry to hear about your diagnosis. What a lot to deal with. All the very best for your op. I’m sure better days are ahead for you. What a fighter you are :)look after yourself.
i am so sorry to hear about the cancer- that is awful- please take care of yourself! but i am so happy to hear you are still doing well on the amitriptyline! do you feel like it helps your balance at all? are you going to add another med or stick with this? what dose are you on?
I am currently on 10 mg of amitryptiline. Still have migraines every once in a hile (like today, after i bumped my head on the mirror of the bus :-/ ) so i may ask my neurologist to increase the dosage and see how i am doing.
As for balance, i used to feel unbalanced 24/24 before taking the meds and i no longer have that. And my last big (only 2-3 minutes if i remember correctly) vertigo attack was last October. Yay! I still have small attacks every once in a while but they only last for 2-3 seconds. Major improvement!
wow that is awesome you are doing so well on such a small dose! how long have u been on it total? so u used to feel unsteady on your feet all the time, and now you never do??? that is wonderful it is my worst symptom
yes it’s an awful symptom!
i started taking ami in august 2012 if i remember correctly. The unsteady feeling disappeared after the few first days (less than a week i think).
Just thought i’d stop by to let you know i am still doing well! It’s been 9 months since i started taking amitryptiline 10 mg and my last big vertigo attack was in November. I still have small vertigo every once in a while but only for 1-2 seconds… I am so grateful to be able to live an almost normal life (still can’t workout except on the threadmill).
After having really bad vertigo for 11 years before they found my solution, i just wanted to say to everyone out there who are discouraged and depressed: never give up… it IS possible to get better, and you WILL get better. Well i certainly hope you will.
(and for those wondering, my cancer is going well so far… i will have my 6 month anniversary (6 months after my operation) in 3 weeks and i will get a neck scan. Wish me luck!)
