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Suggest Treatment For Headaches And Depression Despite Taking Zoloft
Question: I am 64yrsold.I also have MS. I live alone&so far I've done pretty well.I have a history of Depression on the maternal side of my family.I have been on & off Zoloft or generic(Setraline). I also suffer Migaine headaches.
This too is on the Maternal side(male & female) I started having more & more migrains & have been on
Setraline this time since 2009 when my Father had a massive heart attach. About 6months ago I took myself
off Sertraline as I began to feel better.I am also an RN(retired nurse) & I have used Imitrex 4 the miraines
since it was it was first introduced(1st in injectable--now there has been the (po) form & it has been very
effective....I read all the literature on both drugs when I had,had an increase in migraines. In the Imatrex
literature it clearly states that if you R taking an (SSRI) with Imitrex you may begin to have (rebound)
migraines.I think this is what happened w/me....as I now have been off the Setraline at least 6mos.My ? is
is there another antidepressant that is not an(SSRI) that may help me? AS now I cry much too easily these
days.I am beginning to feel as if I am clinically deressed. I have a call into my neurologist office nurse line
it could be 24hrs before I hear back 'cause of the holidays approaching.So I've decided to do some research
myself.Can you help me w/suggestions??
This too is on the Maternal side(male & female) I started having more & more migrains & have been on
Setraline this time since 2009 when my Father had a massive heart attach. About 6months ago I took myself
off Sertraline as I began to feel better.I am also an RN(retired nurse) & I have used Imitrex 4 the miraines
since it was it was first introduced(1st in injectable--now there has been the (po) form & it has been very
effective....I read all the literature on both drugs when I had,had an increase in migraines. In the Imatrex
literature it clearly states that if you R taking an (SSRI) with Imitrex you may begin to have (rebound)
migraines.I think this is what happened w/me....as I now have been off the Setraline at least 6mos.My ? is
is there another antidepressant that is not an(SSRI) that may help me? AS now I cry much too easily these
days.I am beginning to feel as if I am clinically deressed. I have a call into my neurologist office nurse line
it could be 24hrs before I hear back 'cause of the holidays approaching.So I've decided to do some research
myself.Can you help me w/suggestions??
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
SSRI are not the most appropriate medication when it comes to migraine prevention. They may help in some patients but may exacerbate or cause headaches in others.
The antidepressant which is a common alternative for migraine prevention is actually amitriptyline. It is a first line medication for migraine prevention and a widely used antidepressant. It may cause some more side effects compared to SSRIs like sedation, dry mouth, orthostatic hypotension, but many patients tolerate it well and I think it's the chosen antidepressant when there is also migraine in the picture. So I would suggest you try it.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
SSRI are not the most appropriate medication when it comes to migraine prevention. They may help in some patients but may exacerbate or cause headaches in others.
The antidepressant which is a common alternative for migraine prevention is actually amitriptyline. It is a first line medication for migraine prevention and a widely used antidepressant. It may cause some more side effects compared to SSRIs like sedation, dry mouth, orthostatic hypotension, but many patients tolerate it well and I think it's the chosen antidepressant when there is also migraine in the picture. So I would suggest you try it.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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