Migraine meds & Dry Eye

[Jazmynk97]

I’ve been on Amitriptyline for 3 years and recently developed severe dry eye due to this medication... I’ve stopped taking because of the dry eye & the fact that it always stops working/need to increase the dose. I went to my doctor and he put me on Propranolol he knows about the dry eye and I’ve been to the eye doctor and taken different medication the only thing that’s helping is me stopping the medication. I asked my doctor

Today if I could have a medication that wouldn’t cause this because I’m still suffering from dry eye & my migraines have sky rocketed in frequency and he basically lied and told me it doesn’t. Now that I’m home I searched side effects and dry eye is in the top 5 side effects. Are there any migraine meds that won’t do this??

[Onthemove1971]

Jazmynk97- have you tried feverfew? I take it 3x a day and it really has made a difference. I also take Magnesium glycinate, which is harder to find. These 2 have really reduced the number of migraines I have weekly and how painful they are.

I tried to take Feverfew ( this has been recommended by the AMA) 2x a day and it didnt help. But now that I take it 3x a day it is much better. I really tried many many different Rx's and none worked. Now these two really help.

[troy04 in reply to Onthemove1971]

Just a quick suggestion - try a full liver blood test once a year, (GP in UK will agree if you request) - feverfew is known to cause liver damage if taken continuously for more than 4/5 months, but everyone is different, so keeping an eye on your liver is usually advised.

[Onthemove1971 in reply to troy04]

I think you are talking about Butterbur. No where can I find issues with liver as a side effect. I was recommend both and knew Butterbur was pulled from the shelves.

Where have you seen this?

Even the American Medical Association recommend Feverfew.

[troy04 in reply to Onthemove1971]

Ok, fair enough. I was told by a herbal doctor not to take Feverfew more than 5 months in a row at 300mg per day as it may cause liver problems - he may be wrong. People who already have liver disease may be cautioned before taking feverview though, you can see here: migrainetrust.org/living-wi...

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It is difficult to find medicines (herbal/natural or not) that won't cause any side effect - paracetamol is thought to damage liver too if taken regularly (even within daily allowances). When I say damage, I don't mean liver failure - that may happen in overdose.

If you find feverfew is helping migraine then it is great news ! I am glad to hear this and since no clinical evidence is available against it (liver damage) at present - then please disregard my comments above.

* I was not talking about Butterbur - it is dangerous and banned in many countries.

[Onthemove1971 in reply to troy04]

This link supports what I am saying. But if you have liver issues do not take it. I was VERY careful when I did research for this.

I know it is making a huge difference becuase overall my migraines are less painful daily. I also get less overall.

Thanks

[HBpencil]

Hi.

Not much help here but just to say l am the same. Was on amitriptyline for 15 years..it was for my back. Then fibromyalgia 2 years ago and the migraines kicked in. Doctor changed to nortriptyline.....

The dry eye has been awful and even worse is the terrible photophobia. I came off them 6months ago and have been told it's a matter of quality of of life and a choice of weighing up the risk as to whether l take these drugs and just get my eye pressure checked every few weeks! As there is also the chance of developing glaucoma. It seems most migraine meds have this side effect. Good luck. Will let you know if l find anything...

Hazel

[Amber-11 in reply to HBpencil]

I have dry and have taken amytriptyline, it also seems to make migraines worse. I have stopped amytriptyline but neriologists are still recommending it at 75mg. My eye pain and dry eye started immeadiatley after a swim in a gym 2 years go, when the spa was being renovated, and has never gone away. I am used to it now, but the eye drops are exspensive, and I have to teke two to three drops to stop the pain, and the gp s are reluctant to renew the prescritpion when it runs out, I request it online and it can be rejected , and I request again until it is is issued which is quite stressful. I spoke to scope and they said I will need more drops if I have serevere dry eye, eg 2 or 3 not one when I use the eye drops, 4 times a day, I think the optician said 6 times a day and that you cannot use too much.

I wonder what other migraine meds have dry siide effects,?and what having eye pressure checked is, is it done by an optician?

When they put a dye in my eyes at opticians thay say my eyes are 'very dry' ,and when i blink the opticain says my eye does not refresh with moisture properly. I think my phoptphobia has worsened, it is a pity Dr's do not say about side affects.

I wonder where you get the fever few you take 3x a day , I get fever few from Holland and Barret and i think it helps,might you tell me the brand and dose for 3x a day?

[SJblue in reply to Amber-11]

I grow it in my herb garden, make a tea from the leaves so it costs nothing after you buy the packet of seeds.

[Alexa49]

Perhaps try Aimovig or Ajovy they are CGRP subcutaneous new migraine preventative drugs.

[troy04 in reply to Alexa49]

In the UK, Ajovy is not available in NHS , nor Aimovig. Probably these are privately available but the cost is enormous for common public to afford.

[Lauraluluh]

Topamax is the only migraine preventative that has worked for me. Fortunately for me, I have no side effects from this medication.

[Onthemove1971 in reply to Lauraluluh]

I would just like to warn you...I took it for over 3 years and it impaired my memory big time. It is hard for me to remember passwords and simple numbers.

Please please consider the memory loss.