Appreciate any recent experience with either Pamelar or Elavil in a low dosage (10mg) for neck pain and whether it helped prevent migraines. I've had severe migraines for 38 years at different frequencies; never been able to eliminate them. Currently using Imitrex tabs at 5o mg. - takes edge off but does not eliminate headache which lasts 2 - 3 days. In January had severe neck pain due to nerve irritation that took me to emergency. Saw Dr. who prescribed pain meds and therapy. Migraines were down during this time (one a month). Have plateaued on neck pain at about a 3-4. Dr. recommends Pamelar for neck pain and says it may help migraines too. I am resistant to take more meds. - anything on a regular basis - would rather get over this naturally. But I would welcome the chance to eliminate migraines. Is it worth the try? I have learned alot from other messages - thanks for sharing what you know and have experienced. Thanks, Kristi J.
Both meds can be used as preventives. I'm currently taking Elavil (amitriptyline) and have worked my way up to 20mg. I think it's helping me *some*, I was having a migraine every day and now I do get a few good head days, but not what I'd hoped for. Some folks take a much higher dose, but I don't know how high I want to go. I started out cutting the 10mg pill in half. If you would like to follow my progress and subsequent replies from others who have taken Elavil, search within ASHM on Google for *Amitriptyline Update*, I've posted several. Good luck and welcome to the group Kristi!
~Sage
"Kristi J" <kristil@jcis.net> wrote in message news:1110434099.820185.202710@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...> Appreciate any recent experience with either Pamelar or Elavil in a low> dosage (10mg) for neck pain and whether it helped prevent migraines.> I've had severe migraines for 38 years at different frequencies; never> been able to eliminate them. Currently using Imitrex tabs at 5o mg. -> takes edge off but does not eliminate headache which lasts 2 - 3 days.> In January had severe neck pain due to nerve irritation that took me to> emergency. Saw Dr. who prescribed pain meds and therapy. Migraines> were down during this time (one a month). Have plateaued on neck pain> at about a 3-4. Dr. recommends Pamelar for neck pain and says it may> help migraines too. I am resistant to take more meds. - anything on a> regular basis - would rather get over this naturally. But I would> welcome the chance to eliminate migraines. Is it worth the try? I have> learned alot from other messages - thanks for sharing what you know and> have experienced. Thanks, Kristi J.>
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I haven't tried Pamelar (IIRC) but did try elavil (amitriptyline). For me it didn't work very well. The side effects outweighed the fewer headaches (I was so tired that I avoided my triggers).
chris and Lavonne 10 March 2005 23:14:57 [ permanent link ]
"Kristi J" <kristil@jcis.net> wrote in message news:1110434099.820185.202710@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...> Appreciate any recent experience with either Pamelar or Elavil in a low> dosage (10mg) for neck pain and whether it helped prevent migraines.> I've had severe migraines for 38 years at different frequencies; never> been able to eliminate them. Currently using Imitrex tabs at 5o mg. -> takes edge off but does not eliminate headache which lasts 2 - 3 days.> In January had severe neck pain due to nerve irritation that took me to> emergency. Saw Dr. who prescribed pain meds and therapy. Migraines> were down during this time (one a month). Have plateaued on neck pain> at about a 3-4. Dr. recommends Pamelar for neck pain and says it may> help migraines too. I am resistant to take more meds. - anything on a> regular basis - would rather get over this naturally. But I would> welcome the chance to eliminate migraines. Is it worth the try? I have> learned alot from other messages - thanks for sharing what you know and> have experienced. Thanks, Kristi J.>
Howdy, Kristi!
Pamelar didn't help me a bit....gained a bunch of weight on it. Elavil has been very successful for me. When i first tried it, in '92 or so (up to 15 or 150 mgs....i forgot) helped me immensely for about 9 months. Then it punked out. However, i started taking it again in '98 at 100 mgs per night. It does affect the daily level of my pain. When i miss a dose, i get a three-day severe one.
The Elavil/Amitriptalyne (sp?) does cause a hang-over in the morning. I found that taking Melatonin at night helped the hang-over.
Find a good Pain management doctor, I suffer from the same thing you do. I have chronic neck pain and really bad migraines. We had tried everything before I broke down and went to the pain doc. The daily pain was driving me crazy and making my daily life miserable. The pain would crawl down both sides of my neck and up my head. First, he tried facet joint injections, then, nerve blocks, finally he decided to try a Radio frequency nerve therapy on my neck and that was the solution. It solved the neck pain for 6 month. For the migraines we tried BOTOX and that has lasted 3 months and has made my life wonderful. As far as meds, I have tried Elavil and it made me gain alot of weight but, it did work for awhile. I found the best results from zanaflex and cymbalta though without the weight gain, for the nerve and neck pain. Good luck
Hi Sage, Thanks for your response and for the many others I received so quickly. I almost feel guilty about even mentioning my migraines given the number of people in this group that have them so much more often than I. I feel lucky to not have depression on top of migraines too. I think about how hard it must be to keep a job and career with daily occurences. On the Serotonin, have you tried 5-HTP? This is a supplement (non presecription) that enhances production of Seratonin? I started taking it several months ago and my migrianes went from weekly to monthly. I am attributiing some of the result to this supplement which I take twice daily. Also, taking Feverfew and other "natural" supplements and vitamins. Based on collective feedback so far, I don't think I am a candidate for either the Pamelar or Elavil at this point. But I really trust my doctor too and know she is looking for any possible solution out there for me. Thanks for your quick response and candidness. Kristi J.
Cindy, Thanks for your supportive feedback and comment What a great place to get candid fast feedback. And I feel fortunate that I don't have daily migraines like many other sufferers out there. I don't think I am a candidate for either of these drugs right now. The side effects mentioned by others would really concern me. I have 10+ hour work day and long commute. Can't afford ot be sluggish brain dead at this point. Thanks for your wishes and I also wish you well too. Kristi J.
Hi Lavon, How "preventative" can it be if when you miss one dose you get the worst headache ever. That would be the worst retaliation I can think of! After hearing back from these responses, I don't think either is for me at this point. I am not so desperate yet. Dr. Andrew Wiel says migraines are the "red alert" from your body that you need to slow down and recognize your capacity is being over spent. It is a postiive way to consider why those of us get migraines to begin with. Thanks for your comments. Kristi J.
Wow! Thanks this is close to what I am dealing with. I was advised about the facet joint injections but decided against it for now. But if the neck pain does not subside or returns I will really consider it and will ask about the Radio frequency nerver therapy. I heard about BOTOX for mirgraines and glad to hear you are getting relief from it. I don't have the sluggishness or weight gain. That would be too much to deal with. Thanks and best to your conquest of this. Kristi J.
Thanks for your response. Really appreciate the information on side effects which is what I was worried about. I think I will pass for now, but will keep it open as an option. Thanks! Kristi J
"Kristi J" <kristil@jcis.net> wrote in news:1110771585.012631.179830 @g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
Cindy, Thanks for your supportive feedback and comment
You're welcome. Just remember everyone is different on their reactions to medications.
Cindy Wells (I'm not the only member of my family to have problems with meds - we're small and should start at the doses for children. Often the docs forget that we are that sensitive.)
Pamelar helped reduce my daily headaches but had side effects of increased heart rate, over 100 constantly. Also increased heat intolerance and dry mouth. Its not the easist medicine to stop taking if you decide to stop. Withdrawal symptoms lasted almost a month. I currently take Fioricet or Amerge for migraines and they both work within 20 minutes.
My mom has used Pamelar for her migraines and it worked for her. I have never tried it. Imitrex does not work for me..the only thing that works for my migraines is Relpax. It works quick. The dr had also told me that some anti depressent meds can help keep migraines away. You might want to look into that too. I was on celexa for awhile and didnt have any migraines during that time.
