u/Electronic_Angle1697

Hello everyone,

My NDPH is likely related to a severe COVID infection from 2 1/2 years ago. Recently my acupuncturist, who is very progressive and holistic, recommended that I look into wearing low dose nicotine patches as there seems to be some credible evidence that they help long-Covid symptoms (for example: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/medical-health-and-nutrition-pseudoscience/strange-story-nicotine-patches-treat-long-covid).

I'm pretty terrified of introducing nicotine to my body ( I have never smoked), but she assures me that if I use a small patch for a limited amount of time (I think she suggested a month?) it won't cause addiction and might *possibly* cure my headache. It sounds like an extreme long shot, but I'm trying to be open minded. COVID is such a new phenomenon that we just don't know enough about.

Any thoughts or experience with this?

Hi everyone,

First of all, thank you for this group. It's been so helpful to read about your experiences and not feel so alone.

A little background on me: 51 year old female, daily headache for 2 1/2 years, better in the morning (1/10) and worsens as the day goes on. The pain is right behind my eyes. I've tried many medications (nortriptyline, Emgality, Qulipta, metoprolol, Cymbalta, Botox (2 rounds so far)) as well as any and all combinations of HRT in case the pain is hormone related which it doesn't seem to be. I've also been taking all the recommended supplements diligently for 2 years (B2, coQ10, Bit D, Magnesium glycinate, etc.) to no noticeable effect. Currently I am taking Qulipta, which seems to help a bit, and I am going to keep trying Botox to see if that helps.

I have come to believe my NDPH was caused by a Covid infection I suffered two months before my headache started.

The ONLY medication that has been clearly helpful has been nortriptyline, and even at the 10mg dose it made a big impact. Immediately. However, the side effects (dry mouth, constipation, trouble focusing eyes, increased light sensitivity, etc.) did not go away after taking for 2 months, and my doctor said that they most likely would never subside. She said that having chronic dry mouth could set myself up for dental issues down the line. So I went off of it but am missing the pain relief, which was so sweet. She offered to prescribe amitriptyline and explained that for some people it causes fewer side effects, but everything I am reading online indicates that the side effects are far worse than with nortriptyline. I'm afraid to start yet another medication and deal with the side effects and disappointment. I'm almost ready to just accept the pain, and the limited relief that Qulipta brings, and move on.

Has anyone had a successful, side effect free experience with amitriptyline? Especially after suffering from side effects of nortriptyline? Any info is helpful.

For those with COVID-related NDPH, have you tried nicotine patches?

Any positive (non-side effect) experiences with Amitryptine?