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1268921 tn?1288919056

Elavil and weight gain

I am on elavil for supposed acephalgic complicated migraines--I started on 10mg and am now on 25mg--and the dr wants to up it to 50mg.  I have gained 6lbs in the last 2 weeks after upping the meds to 25mg.  Plus, my vision is still not right.  I haven't had another migraine, but the one I had was without headache (I got the numbness, loss of vision, etc.).

Are there any meds out there that would work for being proactive with the migraines, but not cause the weight gain???  I am not happy with the gain!!!!!!!


Thanks
12 Responses
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,
Thank you for your response. I'm really glad to be of help. There are so many medications available for migraine and what can be effective to one patient may not be effective to other patients. The side effects are expected just like any other drug. If your present medicine is working for you, continue to take it but with close monitoring by your doctor.  You may also benefit from complementary and alternative medicine such as biofeedback therapy and other relaxation techniques. The National Institute of Health has conducted studies that showed favorable results to headache sufferers. Take care and do keep us posted.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello,

Thank you so much for the advice.  I have read about the discontinuation syndrome side effects with Effexor -of course after taking the med :(  I will deffinately keep my appts. with my Dr.  She is watching me closely with this med.  I was wondering what type of antidepressant do you think is the best migraine preventative?  Just in case I keep getting migraines on this med?  Do you like Elavil?  My pharmacist prefers that one (the generic version).  I've tried Inderal and Topamax and both of them made me extremely sleepy and depressed.  Thanks for your help!!  I greatly appreciate it!!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,
How are you? Venlafaxine  or Effexor is an arylalkanolamine serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) indicated for the  treatment of major depressive disorder and certain Anxiety Disorders. However, like other anti-depressants, it has a potential to increase suicidal thoughts, attempts and events of self-harm. There is also a risk of discontinuation syndrome. This is noted if a patient misses even with a single dose or  reduction of dosage is done. This is why careful monitoring with your doctor is recommended. Take care and best regards.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,

I started taking Effexor XR 75 mg for 2 months and I was still getting migraines.  I read on a Neurology website that 150mg was very effective as a migraine preventative, so I started taking that amount a week ago and so far I have been migraine free!  I took Celexa before trying Effexor and that gave me major sugar cravings and I gained 5 lbs in a week!  Plus, I was getting horrible migraines just about everyday with it.  Effexor XR has not given me any munchies.  So, this is just something to think about as another option if you need one later.  Good luck with everything and take care :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,
Eye-related migraines or ocular migraines present with  visual disturbances with or without headache pain. This is thought to be related to changes in blood flow in the brain, specifically the area of the brain responsible for vision (visual cortex or occipital lobe). This can produce visual symptoms even without a headache. Generally, ocular migraines are considered harmless and usually cause no permanent visual or brain damage. But it is best that you check with your eye doctor to rule out other conditions such as detached retina, which should be checked out immediately. Painless ocular migraines can appear suddenly and creates the sensation of looking through a cracked window. This visual distortion spreads across the field of vision and usually disappears within about 20 minutes. If these symptoms recur regularly or with increasing frequency, then you may need medication to reduce the frequency or severity of attacks.Talk to your doctor about this. Take care always.
Helpful - 0
1268921 tn?1288919056
Thanks, Rowena.  The neuro-optha says that this type of migraine can cause long-term vision issues and sometimes they may be permanent.  I just cannot seem to find any literature, research, or other people who've had a migraine like mine that results in such vision changes...I keep thinking it'll get better, but now at 7 weeks I am wondering if 1-it's permanent and/or 2-it wasn't a migraine and is something else.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,
That is great news indeed! It is good that your doctor shifted you to another medicine and that there are no other side effects. With regards to your vision, I agree that you check with your ophthalmologist for proper evaluation. Take care always and do keep us posted. Best regards.
Helpful - 0
1268921 tn?1288919056
Hello :-)  I switched to verapamil last week and have lost 5lbs in 4 days.  My vision is still wonky (and has been for 8 weeks!)--but I haven't had any migraines....but, it's hard to tell because I never have had the headache--and still am not convinced that it was a migraine.  No other side effects with the verapamil...it is 120mg extended release once a day.  

Thanks for the help! Off to start another post about vision!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,
How are you? If you gain weight as a side effect of your medication, inform your doctor for  management that is suited for you. There are plenty of migraine medications available in the market and it usually is  trial and error  before you get to know which works for you. Like Dame, other medications may be prescribed to counter the effects of your primary medication. Take care always. Best regards.
Helpful - 0
910419 tn?1289483727
As bibigirl12_10 has said, cyrproheptadine is an antihistamine, but it works WONDERS for my migraines. It's the first med that I was put on, and every time somebody (idiotically) tries to take me off it, I promptly get the Migraine of Doom that will last for up to several months. So it's definitely a good one to try.

Does your doc know how much weight you've gained? I would definitely tell your doc, if you haven't already, about the weight gain. I was recently put on a med where I gained 6lbs in 5 days. When I told my doc, she put me on Metformin HC, 500mg 2x/day. It's a med that's technically for pre-diabetes patients, but has a known off-label use of helping to control/limit weight gain from other Rxs by changing the way that your body deals with the calories that it gets when you eat. Instead of storing them as fat, the Metformin makes your body actually USE the calories. (That's the best of my understanding at least).

good luck and keep us posted,

~Dame
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Avatar universal
ALSO, yes the cyproheptadine is an antihistamine but it for surely works for headaches
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Avatar universal
the elavil made me lose weight!! i was also on 10 mg every night before bedtime and it made me lose so much weight. my neurologist said it was a very rare side effect, i guess it has different effects on people. my doctor had me on different medications and the medication i am on now works for me. he has me on 4 mg of cyproheptadine. you could ask about that because i've been on it and so far it's been the best one for my headaches, but beware, even half of the pill (2mg) knocks you out (makes you tired).
Helpful - 0
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