Elavil for migraines

[amid chaos]

I have a question for anyone who has taken this medication for migraines.

My 14 year old started the medication (10mgs) on friday as prescribed by a neurosurgeon. It seems like she has been asleep ever since.

She slept for 16 hours from Saturday night through Sunday. She did get up and play in her ice hockey game yesterday, but it was clear she wasnt feeling well. She has had a terrible headache for 24 hours and has not eaten since yesterday afternoon. She is not in school today.

The dr told us she would sleep well, but this is ridiculous.

Is this common when starting this medication? Does the sleepiness get any better?

We have a call into the doctor now and are hoping that there is something else she could take.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Has she tried other medications or therapies for migraines?

 

[JessicaR]

http://www.rxlist.com/elavil-drug.htm

Elavil
(amitriptyline HCI)

Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs

Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of Amitriptyline hydrochloride tablets or any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need. Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults aged 65 and older. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide. Patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior. Families and caregivers should be advised of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber. Amitriptyline hydrochloride is not approved for use in pediatric patients. (See Warnings: Clinical Worsening and Suicide Risk, Precautions: Information for Patients, and Precautions: Pediatric Use).

I was put on Elavil when I was 20. I was suffering terrible headaches after a car accident. At my Doctors insistence I gave it a fair try, a few weeks. For me it was an awful drug! I never got used to it and it made me SO tired. I had a constant feeling of being disconnected.

Please talk to her doctor about an alternative.

 

[amid chaos]

Spoke with the dr. They took her off the meds. She tried Zomig in July and that didn't help. If she doesnt feel better in the next few days they are going to move her appointment with the neurologist up to find an alternative.

She has had a "functioning" headache since May with bouts of "migraine" pain. She lost partial vision for 48 hours over labor day weekend. An MRI found that her pituitary gland is enlarged and pressing on her optic nerve. The neurosurgeon doesn't believe the headaches are caused by the pituitary gland so he wants to treat them as migraines or ocular migraines.

thanks for the information, Jessica. We knew it was an anti-depressant which had success in controlling migraine pain in smaller doses. I hope you are pain free at this time.

 

[TheBigBadWolf]

My DH has taken Elavil for years for headaches. It did stop his headaches, and his personality is sooo mellow now. I love the effect it has had on him! On the few times I have taken it I became extremely sleepy and could not stay awake. But that should stop when your DD gets used to it, or perhaps her dosage is too high. I know my DH started low and built up to his current dosage.

Another thing you should be aware of is Elavil will cause weight gain. For my DH, he was very thin and needed the weight gain. He gained about 50# in six or seven years. My 10 year old nephew took Elavil for only one month when he was coming off chemotherapy, and he gained 15# in that one month! Elavil is a great drug for treating headaches, but it might not be the best drug for your daughter. Good luck to her.

 

[JessicaR]

Spoke with the dr. They took her off the meds. She tried Zomig in July and that didn't help. If she doesnt feel better in the next few days they are going to move her appointment with the neurologist up to find an alternative.

She has had a "functioning" headache since May with bouts of "migraine" pain. She lost partial vision for 48 hours over labor day weekend. An MRI found that her pituitary gland is enlarged and pressing on her optic nerve. The neurosurgeon doesn't believe the headaches are caused by the pituitary gland so he wants to treat them as migraines or ocular migraines.

thanks for the information, Jessica. We knew it was an anti-depressant which had success in controlling migraine pain in smaller doses. I hope you are pain free at this time.

Your poor daughter. I wonder why they don't think her pituitary pressing on her optic nerve is a possible cause. Head pain is so debilitating I feel for her. I hope her neurologist can get to the bottom or at least find something thats helpful and allows her to function better.

I'll be keeping her in my thoughts.