Are there any migraine preventative meds that can help sleep or not harm sleep?
My neurologist switched me from metoprolol to propranolol for headache prevention. For preventing headaches, and reducing the severity when I do get them, the metoprolol was working good, and so far the propranolol has been working even better. However I've always been a light sleeper, and the beta-blockers are known to interfere with sleep. Does anyone have any experience with meds to help prevent migraine headaches that can either help me sleep better or at least that don't interfere with sleep? I have a neurologist appointment at the end of the month but I wanted to just get an idea of something I might be able to ask her about.
Hi tgerard127,
Thank you for your question. I've been taking metoprolol for a number of years in the morning and don't think it interferes with my sleep, other things do! If you are taking it in the evening, you may want to discuss switching it to the morning, that's when I take mine.
I do know amitriptyline helped me sleep when I first started my migraine disease journey. Sadly it did not help with my migraine attack frequency or severity. Of course that doesn't mean it won't work for you.
I also take a muscle relaxer at bedtime that is very helpful for my sleep. Some things that may help with sleep include keeping a regular sleep schedule (very important for us folks with migraine disease) limiting caffeine in the afternoon, avoid eating before bed and a few others. These articles have good information on sleep tips and tricks:
https://migraine.com/blog/migraine-triggers-sleep-1/
https://migraine.com/blog/migraine-triggers-sleep-2/
https://migraine.com/blog/migraine-triggers-more-sleep-rules-tips-and-tricks-part-3/.
Let me know if this helps!
NancyI was on nortriptyline (similar to amitriptyline) for awhile, and had to go off it because it was causing heart issues. It definitely helped my sleep (I have sleep problems like you.) Was sorry I couldn't take it any more.
Now that I can't take it any more, we are trying another medicine to help me sleep, but I've only been on it a week. Not sure of the results yet!my doctor has just changed me from amytripteline to propranolol (10 days ago) - my sleep now is totally rubbish.......I've slept like a log for a lot of years and am really struggling now! I've got a month's supply followed by another appointment. Would I be better taking it in the morning?
Just started propranolol. No issue with being able to sleep.. so far.. But it is early days.
So far I'm seeing definite improvement in POTS symptoms (increased heart rate on standing.. that was instant. and noticeable). Also, the neck pain/tightness that has been a near constant since the winter since I've been in a nearly non stop vestibular migraine cycle with periods of headache here and there.. well the neck pain/tightness is markedly improved. On a very small amount for not long at all.
What I do have? Is a headache. Left forehead above the eye. Now the barometric pressure IS dropping for the 17 millionth time in the past 6 or 7 days and I do have something sinusy/flu going on. So will be watching that.
I do think the prop makes me feel tired? Although after 3 doses yesterday last evening I was full of energy until I crashed around 11 (which is early for me)
