Migraine

Has anyone been on Cipralex? My doctor just gave me 2 weeks trial and i'm not sure about it. I feel embarassed that I have to take one but i don't know why. It also feels like I have lost the fight even though i'm doing better with my migraines. I seem to be happier now so why do i need this med? I'm just really confused and scarred about antidepressants. I did tell my doctor this and he convinced me to try it for 2 weeks and see how it works. He said it's not really that i'm depressed but that the med will release something i need more of in my brain. Is this true?

The doctor is telling you the truth. Ciraplex is an SSRI, Serotonin is the drug that is released by the anti-depressant. We use up serotonin when we have migraines. Anyone that has many migraines will be prone to have used up all the serotonin in their brain and be in a chemical imbalance.

More than twenty of the drugs on the list of preventatives that Teri has called "TOO Many Preventatives don't give up" are anti-depressants.

So for migraineurs antidepressants sometimes are perscribed for something other than depression.

Mary in NM

i am seriously thinking about trying antidepressants again. about 8 years ago I was on paxil for 6 months. not one migraine which is a record, normally i get one every two days.

but I was a complete zombie and had no emotions. So I went off it. I think maybe if I try again at a lower dose or try another one.

I can understand your being nervous. I am too. but just imagine what it would be like to not have any migraines!

I haven't ever tried this one. I did try other SSRI's in the past, not for depression, but to try and calm down some mood issues related to thyroid hormone levels. It wasn't a fun or effective venture for me, but it was a totally different scenario.

Bless your heart! I know the decision to start taking an anti-depressant can seem difficult, but I'll echo the others in saying that your doctor is absolutely right about it releasing serotonin in the brain.

I fought going on an anti-depressent about ten years ago - felt that it meant that I wasn't strong enough or didn't have enough faith to get myself out of the feelings I was having. I'm a therapist, so I already knew it was good for everyone else!

I did some research looking at brain scans and saw what a difference the meds made in brain activity. Swallowed my pride and went on them - about two months later, I felt great! Tried going off of them about a year later but noticed that depression sneaked back up on me again.

Went back up on the meds - and now you'd have to wrestle me for mine! When I go off in the midst of a calm and happy life and find dips in my mood, it just reinforces for me that this is a chemical imbalance!

Now I figure if I had diabetes, I'd take insulin. . . since I have migraines, I take what I need to for them. . . I'll do the same for depression. It sure beats feeling bad/sad or self-medicating with non-prescription medications.

Your very own serotonin hugs!

Cyn

I would agree with everyone else...Though I have not had luck controlling the migraines with SSRIs myself.

I do need my medication for depression, however, and I have to say it was a good choice to decide to try it for that as well.

There is nothing to be ashamed of when you are on anti's, they are simply another weapon in the migraineur's arsenal. However, they are medications that shouldn't be take lightly. They DO affect our brains, thinking patters, and can help to dictate behavior...Such as anti-social tendencies, which I have less of now that I am on Zoloft. Make sure you are very aware of the potential side effects and long-term effects of your med.

Some people have amazing luck with antidepressants. Me, pretty much everything I tried that directly increases my serotonin levels sends me -directly- to the ER with serotonin storm. Sigh, I'm so weird.

I've been on Effexor XR for about a year. I was originally on 150 mg a day and am now up to 225 mg a day. It helps my migraines some, but would not classify it as a cure all. My migraines are so multi-faceted that I don't think a cure-all exists though. I am ok with taking Imitrex, Maxalt, and Relpax with the Effexor as abortives, but I wonder if Zomig just makes me have serotonin issues. I was originally on the generic, immediate release version, and I thought the first 3 days going on the med was the worst 3 days of my life. Upset stomach, very anxious, completely high feeling, but all of these subsided after 3 days or so. No side effects at all with the extended release (XR) version. It might be worth a try!

Hi Susan, I just wanted to pop in and welcome to our forum family! Our goal is to provide everyone with the information and support that we all need to manage our Migraines and/or headaches. To that end, we consider this a “safe harbor,” where nobody tries to sell us anything, and we all use “family-friendly” language so parents are comfortable letting their children read the forum with them.

Please take a few minutes to review our policies and guidelines along with the other information in the START HERE folder. For information about Migraines, a good article to begin with is Learning About Migraines - Where to Start.

I look forward to seeing you around the forum

Jemimakitten,
I understand your hesitation to take anti-depressants. So far I've refused to take them myself. I don't like the thought of altering my moods with drugs. But I am starting to wonder what kind of difference they'd make for me. I've been more emotional than usual, not sure if that's from the amitriptyline or the constant daily migraines, and it's easy for me to get depressed.
I hope the meds are successful for you.

Meli

Hello!

Do you know how many different neurological disorders can be treated with antidepressants? There really is no shame in it if it helps you. Plus, if it's for preventive Migraine measures, why be embarrassed?

I have taken a few different ones for Migraine, also earlier on in life for depression.

I have a friend that takes prozac for Multiple Sclorosis. Not to mention, it can help Fibromyalgia as well.

Plus, no one needs to know unless you tell them - except your doctors of course.

I am actually thinking of giving one a go again. I seem to experience less intense pain or aches when I take them too. That's just me though.

I just don't want to see you totally exclude a very large group of drugs that may be very beneficial to you just because you think it means you have mood/mental/psycholocical or whatever other type of problem. Hey, if eating rocks would make me pain free - I would do it in a second.

Come on back - lets talk more about this - maybe we can help you see it from a different perspective. There are quite a few of us who have tried an antidepressant at one point or another, for no other reason than Migraine. Plus, if you don't try it, won't you always wonder if that was your magic Migraine preventive? I would.

I can relate to everyone who is hesitant to take antidepressants. It is really not something society accepts in general. Most people do not have a clue that antidepressants can be prescribed for other reasons than to treat depression. I still have trouble understanding how antidepressants can control pain when speaking in medical terms. But, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. If a doctor prescribes it then there is a medical need for it. I agree that there is no need to tell everyone. My own husband is still one of those who would not "get it". I choose not to discuss my treatment with anyone who belittles it. On a lighter note here is an example... I hate Lima beans. Then my husband said something ridiculous like "You probably get Migraines because you don’t eat them." Rather than get angry I just laughed my butt off. Yea, I hate Lima beans but I too would eat them if it stopped the pain, lol.