"i was prescribed elavil for depression and migraine prevention. after taking only two 10mg doses of elavil, i had a severe manic episode. (note: i am not bi-polar.) i was shaking, pacing, unable to sleep, talking a mile a minute but making no sense, full of anxiety and rage, unable to eat or keep anything down and in a total panic. my husband took me to the er when my heart rate went through the roof and i became short of breath. the hospital kept me overnight on a heart monitor and gave me sedatives to calm me down. my doctor wants me to try another medication but i am terrified at the prospect. honestly, i&#039;d rather be depressed and have migraines than try another anti depressant. one bad experience was enough."