Does anyone have symptoms of confusion or very short term memory loss while taking amitritylene? I take 30mg a day for prophylactic migraine

[Theafleur]

Wondering why my short term memory is not quite sharp as it used to be.

[Cavapoochonowner]

Hello there, I have been taking amitriptyline since 2014 as a migraine preventative.I started on 10mg per night.This helped alot for a couple of years.When I started to wake up with headaches again I increased it to 20mg per night and was ok on this.I have noticed that my memory is not what it was and I sometimes can't think of the word I want.My children have noticed.I have read that amitriptyline can cause memory problems.It has recently stopped working for me due to a thyroid problem and my GP was reluctant to increase dose.I am therefore taking 20mg proprananol 3x a day as a preventative now(Also to help with my fast heart rate).This has been helping but I have also read that proprananol can cause memory problems.I slowly tried to wean myself off the amitriptyline(wasn't told to, but I thought if it's not working why take It?) I slowly reduced over a number of weeks, but when I got down to nil I was struggling to get to sĺeep, aching all over and feeling as if I could cry at any moment.I have since started the 10mg again and feel much better.I now think, if I need it ,I need it.I have enough problems to contend with.My thyroid problems are caused by Graves disease and this can also cause brain fog. There's not much hope for me on the memory front is there.?😁By the way I have had migraines with aura for over 40 years and amitriptyline has been the best thing I have taken for them.It's a shame that when we solve one problem we create another.Hope this helps in some way.I know it can be worrying as my father in law has dementia and I have worried about it myself.I think my problems are caused by the medication and my graves disease.Best wishes to you.

[Theafleur in reply to Cavapoochonowner]

Thanks, that's helpful. X

[Robsny in reply to Cavapoochonowner]

Yes, I recently started taking Amitripline and right away I started having memory problems and trouble finding my words. It's so disappointing because it was helping get fewer migrains and sleep better. But, now I feel stupid all time.

[Theafleur in reply to Robsny]

I am trying really hard to work at not forgetting things but don't know if I am making a difference. Sad that it does you good but affects you in this way - I have had mostly good time with it until recently. Hope you find what works for you. I also find that it helps my anxiety levels somewhat. X

[Cat00]

Amitriptyline is linked with lowering cognitive function but my neurologists said because my insomnia and migraines are so bad on balance I need to keep taking it. I am on 90mg but I have been on 125mg. At the higher doses it is supposed to act as an antidepressant also. It can effect the heart rate also, raising or lowering it. Migraines can also cause reduced brain function too of course. How long have you been taking it? What time of day do you take it?

[Theafleur in reply to Cat00]

Thank you so much. Been taking it before bed since 2016. Got to 30mg by December of that year. In the last year or so I have noticed that I can't always find the words, I think of something to say or do and forget it almost immediately (comes back eventually), and I can hold less information in my head at a time - sometimes. Is it the cumulative effect of taking it for 5 years? And is it permanent impairment or would I revert to normal if I stopped it? 🙂

[Cat00 in reply to Theafleur]

Honestly I don't know because I don't understand why it reduces cognitive function exactly although I have noticed it getting incrementally worse myself. To be honest I wish I could come off it bc life is so much harder with an impaired memory but I don't have a choice but to stay on it, I barely sleep without it.

If you are on it for just migraine there are many different drugs you could try, I've been on 13 drugs, at least, for migraine. It might be worth discussing options with a doctor?

[Francesca21]

I took 20mg amitriptyline amd 80 propranolol for 10 years preventing migraine and worked wellI blamed getting older

For brain fog memory etc

The drigs failed eventually

(By the way id avise nortriptyline over amitriptyline but its more expensive i believe so they dont offer it at first)

Ive bn off everything and had chronic permanent pain for 20 months so concentration is ridiculously low. Cant absorb basic info. Say someone was going to show me how to do somethi Id have make bullet points and do it repeatedly til its sinks in. I retired due to this affecting my work and i just get throu each day as best i can. Learning greek and swim every day to keep my brain cells active . Good luck everyone in finding what works for them.