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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

78 Replies

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  • Sherr
    Sherr PinkMuffin

    Posted

    Hi Pinkmuffin,

    I have severe migraines and the only med that help is Nortriptyline. My Dr started me out at 10 MG for one week and she had me up the dosage each week until my migraines went away. I'm on 50 MG nightly, they make me drousy so I take them before bed.

    I'm not saying this is for everyone, just putting my experience out there.

    I'd be curious to hear what side affects others have.

    I hope you're feeling better.

    • Wobbly_1
      Wobbly_1 Sherr

      Posted

      Hi I am now on 6 10mg of Nortriptyline. I find that you may get a side affect for the first few days but I seem to improve as time goes on.  When I went up to five and then six I had some spots come up on my face but have noticed that no more have appeared the last day few days.  It's funny but mine do not make me drowsy although I expected them to, I was expecting to get a good nights sleep. 

  • Lolasmom
    Lolasmom PinkMuffin

    Posted

    Hi there.

    So you have been told you have migraines yet you do not always have a headache?

    I was just told I have migraines, but NEVER have a headache.

    Mine starts with a quick dizzy spell, then my face fills with pressure. This affects my cheeks and eyes. Then my left ear becomes pluffed and I have to constantly hold my nose and blow out to pop my ear. This all causes an off balance feeling like walking on a boat.   Twice a year I do get ocular migraine for about 20 minutes and then it goes away. and never a headache after.

    Can you relate?

    • patricia_82161
      patricia_82161 Lolasmom

      Posted

      Hello, 

      Your symptoms sound very similiar to mine. I found that my sodium (salt) intake causes these dizzy spells and the plugged ears. It's a form of Meniere's disease related to the vestibular system. I also get ocular migraine episodes./no headache that last about 20 minutes and then pass. Went to see a neuro-opthomologist last week and got an all clear on the eyes so it is brain/migraine related. I am on a regime of herbal supplements and vitamins which seem to be working pretty well with no side effects but then again I could still be having episodes just without the headache. I do get fatigued very easily. 

      One day at a time and enjoy each day is a gift. 

    • Lolasmom
      Lolasmom patricia_82161

      Posted

      Hi Patricia,

      I went to see a neurologist this morning.  Only waited 6 months for the appointment.

      He feels this facial pressure/plugging up thing and off balance thing is a migraine.   Daily?   He said yes.. I told him that I do not get headaches, but he said head and facial pressure is a headache.....

      I also get ocular migraines like you with NO headache. Just the crazy eye stuff for about 20 minutes.

      Have you connected these with a certain time of year/  Mone are in Sept/Oct   and then in Fe/ march.

      Just too weird.

      I will also get seasonal vertigo around the same time of year also.

    • Coalcheese
      Coalcheese Lolasmom

      Posted

      You just described all of my symptoms . Last week my hearing specialist said I also have Meniere's disease. Today my ENT told me I have mirgraines. I told him I don't get headaches. He said mirgraines can present as sinus pressure on the face and ears. He also told me I need to see a dentist for TMJ. Then he prescribed me with Nortriptyline which is what lead me to this forum. He also is sending me to get a brain scan . I don't know if I want to start this medicine five day before Christmas. I might wait a week to begin. Any advise???

    • Lolasmom
      Lolasmom Coalcheese

      Posted

      Do you get any of these things daily?

      Tell me about what you are feeling and experiencing

  • katie60020
    katie60020 PinkMuffin

    Posted

    Hi there,

    I hope you don't mind me messaging you as I know this chat happened a year ago but I wonder if you can tell me if the Nortriptyline ever properly help & how do you feel now? I'm considering starting it for VM!

    Thanks Kate

  • jlbazar
    jlbazar PinkMuffin

    Posted

    I have the same symptoms as you. Just curious of nortriptyline has worked or if you're on a different medication? I just started nortriptyline and it's not working yet. I've been on it about 9 days now. Thanks!

    • veronica20125
      veronica20125 jlbazar

      Posted

      The medication for me was horrible. I was on for 30 days and made the mistake of stopping without tapering off. It took me 5 months to get past the side effects and withdrawals
  • yayasister
    yayasister PinkMuffin

    Posted

    I suddenly started having headaches with vertigo.  I went to an ENT that speciallizes in headaches.  I was surprised that he said it wasn't my ears but my brain and he diognosed it as Migraine vertigo and put me on a low dose, 10 mg of Nortriptyline.  2 at night before bedtime.  Now I told him I was already taking Lunesta at night and on an antidepressant, Zoloft.  He said no problem,  come back in 2 weeks.  So I took the meds and still had headaches but not as severe and I wasn't getting the vertigo, so he said lets up the meds to 3 a night for a week and then 4.

    I took the 3 for 2 nights and in the mornings I am sleeping on my desk and very disoriented.  I called him and he still hasn't called back so last night I went back to just 2 pills.  Last night and today I have vertigo bad, but no headache.  I don't know what's going on except I think I'm taking too much meds.

    Somebody help!!!!!!!!

  • Reena2017
    Reena2017 PinkMuffin

    Posted

    Hello,

    I'm new on nortriptyline, 10mg then by the 4th week I'll be at 50mg as I'm told I have Vestibular Migraines and don't have headaches. I have been sick from Feb 2017 with dizziness, nausea and Fullness and loud ringing in my leftear. First i was told I have Menieres went through lots of testing , scans and different medication and now I'm told its VM just wanted to know from the one's who've taken this medicine what major side effects have you experienced. I appreciate your responses.

    Thanks,

    Reena

    • Pewo
      Pewo Reena2017

      Posted

      Hi,

      I've taken doses between 5mg and 35mg and I'm currently back down to 6.25mg.

      Major side effects I've had:

      Palpitations (first had on increase to 35mg, went back down after a week)

      Irritable bowels (for I think a week)

      Fever on withdrawl (After aggressive taper down from 25 to 12.5)

      Some anxiety (mostly when going below 10mg)

      Other:

      Weight gain

      Some detail about why I started the meds and how much I was taking for how long are in my other posts.

      Good luck with them!

      P

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