Any thoughts welcomed re my Amiltriptyline experience

[Jack_corn66]

Hi- Newbie here! I have been taking 20mg of Amiltriptyline for around 3 months for tightness and pain in the jaw and temples. I think the condition has improved though I asked my GP for something to help until I could see an Oral specialist

I still get that grogginess the next day, and the later the I take it the worse it is - I knew this would be the case. I am also eating more, especially sugars, and putting on weight. I also expected this as the same happened when I took Mirtazapine to help me sleep as I have very loud tinnitus

But there are 3 other possible side effects that are really concerning me and I would love to hear from others who can advise please

1) I feel my heart racing at night. Not only does it beat quicker but it is far louder - when I go to bed it thumps in my ears and chest - I've read that it is a rare side-effect - anyone else experienced it?

2) I have some tightness in my legs, especially around the thighs, and when I walk it feels crampy I've seen a neurologist a few months back to rule out something nerve related, but this stiffness has got worse since I started with the amiltriptyline, and now my entire legs feel like they are wooden! My hamstrings are tight too and even my physio just shrugs his shoulders and suggests I go to a podiatrist....but I'm wondering if the drug is causing this, as well as a general feeling of weakness in my arms

3) My tinnitus seems even louder, and I didn't think that was possible! Some say antidepressants help, others say it makes it worse - any thoughts?

Thanks in anticipation, Jack

[Mrspjsmom]

Welcome! Unfortunately medications affect everyone differently. Finding the right combination can be a full time job. If the meds you are taking make things worse please call your doctor. It took me years to find what works for me and by advocating for myself I am finally stable. There is hope.

[Jack_corn66 in reply to Mrspjsmom]

Thanks

[AddyA]

Hi Jack, I’ve had experience of Mirtazapine for 7 months and it literally burned the brain nerves in the occipital region of my head. I took the last tiny dose of less than .35 mg last year on 3 Nov but I still get up in the morning with lot of neck and head stiffness and excruciating pain to this date. I also experienced lots of other physical symptoms like heart racing, tight muscles mostly limbs and forehead, chest tightness, tinnitus etc. My advice to you is that if you can manage without the drug then please taper and finally stop taking it. Only then you’ll be Okay. Thanks

[Jack_corn66 in reply to AddyA]

Great advice, thankyou and good luck to you

[53Arnhemmy]

Hello Jack_corn66

I have had some experience with amytriptilline although that has been many years ago. The pounding heart I have had that too and since I felt very uncomfortable with that, especially when going to sleep, my doctor decided to take me off it. Felt much better after. But the pains and cramps I did not have. If I were you I would go to the family physician and tell him/her about it.

Mirtazapine took away pain and itching in my case. Mirt and Amytr have some things in common but Mirt is more relaxing.

Hope this helps.

[Jack_corn66]

Thanks for this feedback - I am going to make an appt to see my GP