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Second day on nortriptyline

Posted , 28 users are following.

PinkMuffin
PinkMuffin

Recently I have been diagnosed with a daily type of migranie which causes imbalance, dizzyness and visual blurryness although I don't always have a headache. The doctor put me on nortriptyline 10mg once a day at night. I'm on my second day and my dizzyness and visual symptoms have gotten far worse? Is this normal and does it go away after a while? Feeling rather panicky as I struggle to even go to the shop. Nothing feels real. Any advice out there?

2 likes, 78 replies

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  • StevenRose
    StevenRose PinkMuffin

    Posted

    Hi PinkMuffin,

    I would say without doubt you need to go back to the dr asap, it may mean the meds aren't right for you, or you have been misdiagnosed.

    It is possible it is Hemeplegic migriane, where you don't very often get a headache at all, just these unusual symptoms, I know because some of the symptoms you describe are what I get and have been taken to hospital several times, with drs thinking I am having a stroke, although scans show I am not.

    Yes, it is scary, but if you have had brain scans and all is normal, it could quite possibly be Hemeplegic migrain.

    Good luck with your progress PinkMuffin and ask about Flunarizine, since being on this drug, I have only had one milder attack!

     

    • PinkMuffin
      PinkMuffin StevenRose

      Posted

      To be honest I don't think the doctors know what to do with me. I have sent his secretary an email for advice to see what the dr thinks. I will keep fllunarizine in mind. I'm not impressed that he put me on a antidepressant as I know they can mess with your head. I am not feeling depressed though, just annoyed that my symptoms won't go. Thank you for responding.
    • Fuzzyskwerl
      Fuzzyskwerl PinkMuffin

      Posted

      Hi. I have had the same symptoms recently. In December I started developing dizzy spells and it felt as if I was in a moving plane at some points. I don't feel depressed or stressed with anything else except feeling like this. Have had a stack of blood tests and a head and neck MRI which all came back fine. Now the Neurologist suggested nortriptyline and have just started day 1. Feels weird, floaty and I don't like it but will try it for a week or two and see what comes of it.
    • Fuzzyskwerl
      Fuzzyskwerl

      Posted

      Worthwhile mentioning that everyday tasks have also become difficult, even typing an email or going to the shops gets me confused. Hard to explain to those around you who don't understand how you can be feeling this way. It sucks, stay strong.
  • Murphs1979
    Murphs1979 PinkMuffin

    Posted

    Hi

    I suffer with the same symptoms although I am on different medication. The one I'm on took about 7 days to kick in but then I was pretty much symptom free. So I would give it a bit longer and hope the same happens to you.

    Hope you feel better soon.

    • PinkMuffin
      PinkMuffin Murphs1979

      Posted

      Thank you for responding Murphs, I am finding it difficult to do normal things as I've been housebound for almost a year now. It's strange because I can hardly remember what it's like to be normal, so excited if it does go. The first thing I will do is go shopping! I will keep going so fingers crossed. What medication were you on?
    • Murphs1979
      Murphs1979 PinkMuffin

      Posted

      Hi

      I tried a few different ones which didn't really work but I'm now on amitriptyline 10mg and it's like a miracle cure for me.

    • PinkMuffin
      PinkMuffin Murphs1979

      Posted

      I've heard of that one, it is very similar to what I'm on. Oooooh I'm now half excited that this might actually work. Have you had any side effects? 
    • Murphs1979
      Murphs1979 PinkMuffin

      Posted

      No I've not had any side effects. I was on them for 6 months and then off them for about 3 months and for most of those 3 months I didn't have any symptoms until a few weeks ago when it came back with a vengeance so I'm now back on the magic pills and feeling fine again.
    • A303101
      A303101 Murphs1979

      Posted

      That's what i was taking for over a yr,,, and headachs taking all my wknds up.. neurologist days amitriptyline had side effects of headachs.. if problems get worse in future 
  • StevenRose
    StevenRose PinkMuffin

    Posted

    Yes, it is annoying that they cant find the right meds to help you, but keep nagging them, this is what you have to do to get anywhere with drs sometimes.

    I am sure they will find the right meds that help you.  As well as Hemeplegic migraine I alo suffer from Cluster headache and I was basically a guinea pig trying differernt ones, some better than others,

    The thing with neurological conditions, it is sometimes trial and error and you are lucky if you get the right meds at the start. 

    So keep nagging them PinkMuffin I am confident you will get the right meds eventually.  Keep posting on here, I really want to hear how you get on!

    • PinkMuffin
      PinkMuffin StevenRose

      Posted

      Hello and thank you for responding. Yes I am hoping that nortriptyline will work for me but as you say, I'd be lucky if my first meds do work. I shall keep you informed on how I am doing in a few days time, by which time I'm hoping for some improvement. It is nice to talk to people who actually know what is happening to me, sometimes I think people think I'm going a bit crazy. I hate it when I walk about the place and I hear someone saying 'is she drunk?'. So so annoying. Keeping my fingers crossed.
  • patricia_82161
    patricia_82161 PinkMuffin

    Posted

    I have tried nortriptyline in the past and it worked well for me. It may take a few days for your body to adjust to it or your body might not like the drug. I also am having a tough time at the store with all the lights, movement and stimulus. I wear my sunglasses in the store and try to keep my focus straight ahead. I agree with the other person, I don't think the doctors really know what is going on with these brain issues. I find it hard to believe that a migraine can have such severe symptoms that last for months on end. Bottom line, the MOST important thing is to stay CALM. Stressing and being anxious only make everything worse. Do whatever you need to do that is healthy to stay relaxed. The body and the mind are not meant to be as taxed as we are in this fast-paced world. There is way to much stimulation going on and solitude and quiet are healing. You will get thru this. Try the meclizine for the dizziness and ginger for nausea. Get as much rest as you need. These episodes are exhausting. Been there. Feel better soon and stay positive.
    • PinkMuffin
      PinkMuffin patricia_82161

      Posted

      Thank you for your response. I have been noticing lately, mainly due to the bright days that I get a lot of static type vision, I squint when I look at the sky and I get light lines or blotches in my vision. Did you get this and did the nortriptyline help it? I hate how this condition knocks my confidence, I can't look people in the eye because it's difficult to see them at times. I'm now on day four of nortriptyline, no side effects I don't think. I didn't realise at the time when I mentioned it felt worse but it's now the lady time of the month which does make it worse. I'm upping my does from 10mg to 29mg this Thursday. I have only noticed two symptoms disappear which are general headache and eye pain but the visual disturbances and bad balance issues with a foggy feeling are still very much there. It's still early days though!!
    • A303101
      A303101 PinkMuffin

      Posted

      I take birth control 24 7 never take a wk off... that was my only trigger. .. now it's every wknds i get migraine that last hole wknd
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