ENDEP for headaches

[gillybilly]

Hi just wondering if anyone has been prescribed endep or something like that for servere headaches while pregnant. I am only on a low dose of 10mg and ob has said its ok just wondering if anyone has had a similar problem.

I also wanted to know if anyone has had headaches while pregnant and if they went once bubs was born.
Cant handle these headaches:hair:

[mamaoffour]

Endep is amitriptyline, a tricylic antidepressant.



Amitriptyline has been shown to cross the placenta (http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=4918). Although a causal relationship has not been established, there have been a few reports of adverse events, including CNS effects, limb (http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=4162) deformities, or developmental delay (http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=2965), in infants whose mothers had taken amitriptyline during pregnancy.
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant (http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=10695) women. Amitriptyline HCl should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit to the mother justifies the potential risk to the fetus (http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=3424).

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/amitrip_wcp.htm

Does your doctor think you may be depressed?

[EsSjAy]

Endep is commonly described for serious headaches... My sis-in-law is on the same stuff...
Although it's an anti-depressant it also can be prescribed for headaches/migrane....

I would obviously be discussing taking it whilst pregnant as there isn't alot of proof of the effect on bub's but there are other headache preventatives on script which are safe during pregnancy...
Have a chat with your doc and discuss your concerns....

I also had shocking headaches with ds when i was pregnant.... A combination of blood pressure, stress and fluid retention....
Also certain foods and drinks would set it off....
Especially preservatives....
Maybe a food diary to see if you can see a trigger.... I couldn't eat anything Chicken flavoured or seasonings they put on BBQ shapes etc.... Also apple/rassberry cordial was a no no....

Just a thought....

Hope your going o.k x x

[gillybilly]

Hi thanks for replying. I have been given ENDEP for chronic headaches that seem to be hormonal. After much discussion with my OB she has promised me as I am past 12 weeks and have only been given a small dose everything will be fine. She has perscribed it to other paitients with great results so here's hoping. I only have taken one so far and have only had 1 headache so far. Maybe its finally working HOORAY.

[QTB]

iv been getting horrible horrible headaches this pregnancy too... my GP has refered me to a neurologist.... but in the mean time im allowed panadol... thats it :( but 99% of the time it works anyway...

[EsSjAy]

Hi there gillybilly... My sis in law is also on it for hormonal reasons contributing to the headache/migraine... she is also on Zomig... Nothing much works for her... I think she should have more tests but she doesn't listen.... It's frustrating...

Hope your feeling better....:)

[gillybilly]

Hi QTB, my Ob has told me that panadeine is safe to use especially if you are past 12 weeks. If the pain is unbearable you can have panadeine forte but sparingly. I have been using both which works to ease the intensity.
Talk to your doc or chemist for the panadeine you need a prescription for the forte.
Hope this helps you.

[gillybilly]

Hi all just wanted to update anyone who is interested in this subject. I have been taking Endep for about 2 weeks now and my headaches have drastically improved.:smiliedance: I no longer have to take any pain relief and now only get them maybe 3 times a day at worse. When I do get a headache I don't need any Anatol or anything as they are not as intense and don't last as long. I hope that any one suffering these headaches gets some help. I couldn't have lasted any longer in my situation. Thanks for all the replies. :hugs:

[jdarling]

Hey there, just wanted to say that my Ob put me on endep 25mg per day for my first pregnancy, as I had history of severe migraine, and was very frightened that I would have them during the pregnancy. I was taking it from 6 weeks till delivery, and my bubs was/is fine! I did have pretty bad tension headaches during the first 10 weeks, but no migraines at all. Also since the birth, headaches have been about 1 a month (compared to 2-4 per month). I am trying the second pregnancy without endep though, as I am convinced that it was the pregnancy hormones that took the migraines away! The endep really helped with the anxiety about getting a headache too!

[GraceUnhearing]

i was prescribed that a few years ago by my dr for bad headaches.
i didnt like it though. made me dizzy.

i got very bad headaches with DS and panadeine was my savior.

the dr wouldnt give me anything else cause of it crossing the placenta.

[~Layla~]

I thought I'd weigh in here...

I was prescibed Endep for chronic headaches/migraines as a result of a head injury many years ago...and I was told at the time (by the Neurologist) that the drug was safe to use during pregnancy.

I mentioned it to my Fertility Specialist earlier this year (and that I'm on 50mg daily) and he didn't mention any dangers...so I assume it's safe. Though I am not pregnant yet, and when I do become so I will be re-visiting the issue and making 100% sure it's safe. If there is even a small risk...I will probably drop the Endep for the duration of pregnancy/breastfeeding, and look for alternative pain relievers. Might try accupunture :(

[gillybilly]

Hi everyone,
Just thought I would update this subject for future reference.

I took Endep all through my pregnancy and went to 50mg a day. It worked well for my headaches and my baby girl was born on 15th May and was/ is extremely healthy. No side effects from taking this drug all through my pregnancy and baby was born all fine with top apgar scores.

Hope this helps people feel better if having to use this drug while pregnant.

All the best:wave: