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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by nicky847 on August 10, 2004, at 11:42:06
Hey gang..
Does anyone know of any possible link between antidepressants and migraine headaches? My girlfriend takes Lexapro (for depression), and Neurontin (for migraines but I believe it is also an A/D)..and also suffers from migraines..she has been to many doctors and nobody can help her with her headaches..I am wondering if maybe her A/D medication might be contributing to them..any input would be appreciated thanks :-)
Posted by Camille Dumont on August 10, 2004, at 12:17:58
In reply to Question on AD's and Migraines, posted by nicky847 on August 10, 2004, at 11:42:06
My ADs made my migranes much worse and more frequent but taking two extra-strength Midol (PMS ones) and lyind down in the dark for an hour or so usually kills it.
Posted by partlycloudy on August 10, 2004, at 12:24:19
In reply to Question on AD's and Migraines, posted by nicky847 on August 10, 2004, at 11:42:06
The AD's I take (effexor xr and wellbutrin xl) did not affect my migraines, but my hormones definitely have. When I entered perimenopause, I also started to suffer from major depression, anxiety and panic attacks. My migraines were horrendous - 24/7 for about 6 weeks. When I was treated for the perimenopause, the migraines cleared up, and all that was left.... was the rest of the mess.
I take Maxalt 10mg for migraines if they do occur, and that erases them nicely.
Posted by King Vultan on August 10, 2004, at 12:37:25
In reply to Question on AD's and Migraines, posted by nicky847 on August 10, 2004, at 11:42:06
> Hey gang..
> Does anyone know of any possible link between antidepressants and migraine headaches? My girlfriend takes Lexapro (for depression), and Neurontin (for migraines but I believe it is also an A/D)..and also suffers from migraines..she has been to many doctors and nobody can help her with her headaches..I am wondering if maybe her A/D medication might be contributing to them..any input would be appreciated thanks :-)
Actually, antidepressants can often have a beneficial effect on migraines, particularly the tricyclic class of antidepressants, but everyone is different, and what may work for one person may have the opposite effect on another. I am not a migraine sufferer myself but have chronic ordinary headaches--a drug that I would suggest considering is nortriptyline, which is a tricyclic antidepressant and was by far the most effective of any of the drugs I've tried for my own headaches. Neurontin is an anti-epileptic that I have no direct experience with; I guess it would not be my first choice for migraines, but I am neither a doctor nor a migraine expert.Todd
Posted by dazed on August 10, 2004, at 14:56:44
In reply to Question on AD's and Migraines, posted by nicky847 on August 10, 2004, at 11:42:06
Often neurologists will prescribe antidepressants as a preventative for migraines, along with other drugs such as beta blockers. The combination works well for some in preventing migraines. Some antidepressants make my migraines worse. Paxil and Buspar make my migraines worse so they are out of the question.
Right now I'm taking Zonegran as a migraine preventative (also used in some Bipolar II patients as a mood stabilizer I think) and works very well so far in alleviating some of my migraines.
I hope this helps.
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