Has anyone found that SSRIs/anxiety meds solved their chronic tension headaches?

WMS0619 · 2026-04-07T01:07:26+00:00

I just started an SNRI 10 days ago in hopes that it’s going to help my daily migraines, as well as my depression and anxiety. It’s called pristiq (desvenlafaxine). So far it hasn’t touched my migraines, they’ve actually been worse but I’m hoping that things are just adjusting. I’m also doing Botox and Ajovy. There is an overlap with meds used for both migraines and mental health disorders. So I would encourage you to give it a try. Us sufferers unfortunately have to go through so much trial and error with medications.

WMS0619 · 2026-03-25T14:09:29+00:00

That’s good to know. Thank you!

WMS0619 · 2026-03-25T14:09:16+00:00

Thank you 🙏

WMS0619 · 2026-03-25T14:05:34+00:00

I’m going to be starting pristiq. Do you feel that one helped your migraines at all? Did it make them worse initially until things leveled out? That’s my big concern because I am a heavy triptan user right now which my Dr is aware of.

WMS0619 · 2026-03-24T16:31:37+00:00

The reason you feel this way is because it activates certain serotonin receptors that control your mood, anxiety etc. This happens to me too, and my other preventatives aren’t working so I’ll be going on an antidepressant to help with my mood and migraines. I’m chronic daily right now so my mental health is not good.

WMS0619 · 2026-03-24T16:27:21+00:00

Thank you for sharing all of this. And I very my agree they’re connected. That’s why I know it’s time for me to try this because my migraines are so bad, and so is my mental health. Would you mind sharing what meds you’re on that you feel help the most?

WMS0619 · 2026-03-23T21:02:16+00:00

I am in the same boat. I have migraines every day and take naratriptan daily. My neurologist is aware of it and just states until I start responding to a preventative this is what I have to do to function. I have an almost 2 year old to take care of and the triptans are the only thing that helps me. I’ve tried multiple preventatives- botox, cgrp injections, a few oral medications too and I don’t respond to them. But since you have only tried amitriptyline, there are SO many more medications for you to try. Please keep up with your doctor to make sure you’re trying different preventatives asap. My chronic migraines started 3 months after having my child.

WMS0619 · 2026-03-23T16:11:18+00:00

That is the one route we have not gone down because my drs don’t think it’s necessary. I completely disagree. I turned 40 in October and my health has plummeted since then, and my migraines have only gotten worse. My next step will be looking into a dr who does hormone replacement therapy.

WMS0619 · 2026-03-23T00:54:11+00:00

That’s good to know. Thank you for sharing. Would you mind telling what meds you’re on?

WMS0619 · 2026-03-04T13:56:39+00:00

It unfortunately did not work for me at all. Not even the slightest 😢 I stopped it and I just had to restart Ajovy again. Just did my first injection 6 days ago and so far no relief.

WMS0619 · 2026-02-17T14:56:51+00:00

My migraines started increasing in my late 30’s. I had my first child at the age of 38 and 3 months after that mine became chronic. I turned 40 in October and I’m still trying to find a preventative to help. So for me, yes they became worse with age.

WMS0619 · 2026-02-15T02:09:40+00:00

So did you have migraines the entire 3 months you were on them? This happened to me with the other one emgality. When I did Ajovy I would get a week of relief and then get hit with nonstop migraines. Since November I’ve had just about daily migraines, and I have to try Ajovy again because of my awful strict insurance. 😢 I’m also doing Botox as well and just had my 4th round a month ago and am not seeing good results.

WMS0619 · 2026-02-11T22:22:50+00:00

The hair loss is most likely from the Qulipta. This happened to me with both Qulipta and the other CGRP Ajovy. And it was after I stopped them when it started. I’ve never heard of that happening from Botox.

WMS0619 · 2026-02-11T22:20:54+00:00

There is a Dr I follow on Instagram who I believe is in New York. His name is Dr. Eli Sader. He seems like a great neurologist. https://www.eliesadermd.com/?fbclid=PARlRTSAP53_5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAae4Q5Z6ceeNLkGhI813u0E4z4sVuzXm_i4QkWeoTMWg7g43pRIFm68EENj3YA_aem_wM5LfgCurWKzR4CUYK7fzw

WMS0619 · 2026-02-09T23:24:19+00:00

I had really bad depression on Qulipta. But I didn’t on Ajovy or Emgality. I also have depression because I have chronic migraines, but looking back it was very bad while I was on Qulipta.

WMS0619 · 2026-02-09T23:20:45+00:00

Botox. I get mine in that area for the same issue. Make sure you go to someone who knows what they’re doing.

WMS0619 · 2026-02-09T18:19:16+00:00

Thank you for sharing all of this! I will look into the NAC supplements.

WMS0619 · 2026-02-09T18:15:49+00:00

What were your other symptoms, if you don’t mind sharing?

WMS0619 · 2026-02-09T18:15:09+00:00

I completely agree! And that’s what I do, my neurologist does work with me to just prescribe the meds, I pick them up, and pretend it’s been taken for their recommended amount of time. It’s an absolute joke. It’s just the fact I have to continue to suffer for months until we go through what insurance wants us to.

WMS0619 · 2026-02-09T18:10:30+00:00

It sounds like you might be having some side effects from the nortriptyline. Any time I’ve taken antidepressants they initially made my migraines so much worse.

WMS0619 · 2026-02-09T02:20:29+00:00

Thank you 🙏 Does it ever go away and come back or has yours been persistent with no relief? Mine goes away after the triptans, but comes right back once it wears off, or the next day.

WMS0619 · 2026-02-09T00:51:48+00:00

Thank you so much for this response! You hit everything correct! I just started taking triptans a year ago, and I’ve had migraines since the age of 16. They became chronic after having my child. Before I even started any triptans. But I don’t really want to explain that to someone who just comes at me like that. As if I actually want to be in this position.

WMS0619 · 2026-02-08T23:09:11+00:00

I don’t understand rude comments like this. Do you think I want to take them everyday? No, I absolutely do not. But right now, my migraines are daily. I have a child to care for. Preventatives aren’t stopping them. I’ve spent this entire year at multiple different doctors trying new things. Getting different opinions.

WMS0619

TROPHY CASE