I was on 130mg of Nortriptyline for around 2 years which, coupled with diet and good sleep, really helped me get my life back. I didnāt have any real side effects except being a bit sleepy around 8pm. Iāve slowly been reducing this and got down to 30mg. Every so often I have some symptoms, mainly when very run down but these always feel very suppressed compared to when I was at my worse. If you can tolerate the nortriptyline then I would persevere, it took a good couple of months for me to see any improvement from it and by then I was up to about 60mg.
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I think youāve set your expectations too high. Even the experts donāt even know what VM is, itās a diagnosis (based on sets of symptoms) not a definite pathophysiology.
This site will probably provide you with better advice than most medics can provide.
Hi
Sorry I meant advice on dosing of meds. I was told 10mg then to increase to 20mg of Nort after a week I Iāve only been given the 10mg tablets. Iām currently on 20mg but have no idea how long to stay on it and see how I get on. I presume if no improvement to then increase to 30mg. But have no idea on timescales. Or how often to change dose.
And no idea at what dosage I could expect to see any improvement. I have read advice that if you get to 50mg and thereās no change then maybe its not working, but I could have imagined it. Another member has just said they were on 130mg of Nort. Guess Iād just like some guidance please.
They would have no clue about that either.
Usually itās 10mg a month with tricyclics though Iāve gone up and down by 10mg in two days before.
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So quite a slow titration then. And am I correct in thinking that by 50mg i should get an idea of whether its helping, am sure i saw it on the forum. Thanks.
For comparison, I felt improved within days with Amitriptyline @ 10mg (eliminating the utterly debilitating migraines at the lowest dose), but yes, it might take you a higher dose to feel improved, itās so individual.
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Weirdly Iāve only had one migraine in the 6 months Iāve had symptoms. Whereas before my balance issues started I was having a migraine a week pretty much. Its like my constant imbalance has taken over from the migraines. Iām guesing the balance issues will take longer to resolve. Im trying VRT but am a bit nervous that it might things worse. Iām very sensitive to head motion.
I started on Nortriptyline 3 weeks ago. I started on 10mg and increased to 20mg after 2 weeks. The plan from my Dr is to increase by 10mg every 2 weeks provided side effects are not too bad. He said the normal ātherapeutic doseā is 30-50mg. So far I have only had mild side effects and have seen a slight improvement in symptoms.
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What kind or side effects did you experience?
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Excess sweating, already struggle with this anyway due to Fibromyalgia. And both Ami and Nort made me feel shaky in my limbs. Like tremors.
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This is a pretty common side effect, but it tends to mostly go away after a few weeks/months of using them (again varies by individual).
Indeed the only side effect that really stayed for me after 1 year of taking Ami was slow bowel.
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Did the Ami help with the balance issues. As I said the regular migraines have gone, only to be replaced with near 24/7 imbalance. Which is my worst symptom hands down. And I dont know if the VRT is a good idea or whether to try and stabilise the VM first before trying. .
The dizziness and eye strain yes. The vertigo and the imbalance, unfortunately not.
Ok lol, so has anything helped with that?
Time (a lot of it!)
And potentially reducing stress? Although itās hard to be sure.
I find that doing 30-40m of cardio every day is starting to helpā¦ than again it could just be time
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I do a lot of exercise, ironically me rejoining a gym coincided with the wretched balance problems. One thing Iāve noticed is I feel shaky especially on the rowing machine. Which is new and most unwelcome. Didnt know shakiness was a MAV symptom. Iām trying to challenge myelf to do stuff which is hard or unpleasant or that makes me feel worse but Iām not sure if its the right approach.
Have you tried cardio machines that focus on balance like a elliptical? Rowing may be a little bit too harsh for your balance.
I do use ellipticals and bike as well as treadmills. Iove the rower though. Thought it might be a safe bet as Iām sitting down.