Anxiety and amitriptyline need advise badly

[Ollybolly]

So this is weird I basically got prescribed anxiety cause I have bad healthy anxiety towards MS and anyreusms. Monday i started taking 10mg of amitriptyline and it affected me badly shaking chronically and heightened anxiety. And stopped taking Wednesday. Since stoppping I have literally bad weakness in legs and shaking arms legs anxiety and dread. I can't stop shaking in my arms legs weakness and pains up then. I've been to my GP they say it's just anxiety but is this normal when stopping them it's worrying me to the point I just want to end it. I'm scared beyond belief. I literally can't stop shaking in my arms hands legs. I just want to know if anyone's had these side effects or withdrawal whatever it is when stopping or taking amitriptyline before all this I was getting better just had a severe anxiety attack. Any help will help me. GP again no use as they just say I'm fine I do not feel right. I can't stop thinking it's MS I've had blood tests and a CT in December and it's all fine?

[Traz60]

Hello Ollybolly, I just googled the side effects of amitriptyline (which is an old antidepressant, also called Elavil, that's been on the market forever.) The site I found (drugs.com) posted this long list of possible side effects. Since I was unable to copy the link. I copied the list. I found at least 3 areas that may match your symptoms. However, you've only been on the meds for 5 days, so I'm not sure if any of these side effects would present so quickly. But, I'm not a professional that would know. Maybe you could call the pharmacy where you got it filled and discuss it with them. Sometimes I really believe the doctors are not always aware. Please read each one carefully, as I tried to separate the symptoms you describe for easier detection. Sorry the list is so long. Good luck with your managing your anxiety.

Traz60

Overview of Side Effects

Consumer Professional Managing Side Effects

For the Consumer

Applies to amitriptyline: oral tablet

Along with its needed effects, amitriptyline may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking amitriptyline:

Incidence not known

Abdominal or stomach pain. Agitation.

Black, tarry stools.

Bleeding gums.

Blood in urine or stools.

Blurred vision.

Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings.

Change in consciousness.

Changes in patterns and rhythms of speech.

Chest pain or discomfort.

Chills, cold sweats.

Coma.

Confusion.

Confusion about identity, place, and time.

Continuing ringing, buzzing, or other unexplained noise in ears.

Convulsions.

Cool, pale skin.

Cough or hoarseness.

Dark urine.

Decrease in frequency of urination.

Decrease in urine volume.

Decreased urine output.

Difficulty in breathing.

Difficulty in passing urine (dribbling.)

Difficulty in speaking.

Disturbance of accommodation. Disturbed concentration.

Dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position.

Suddenly double vision.

Drooling.

Dry mouth.

Excitement.

Fainting.

False beliefs that cannot be changed by facts.

Fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat.

Fear or nervousness.

Fever with or without chills. Flushed, dry skin.

Fruit-like breath odor.

General feeling of tiredness or weakness.

Headache. Hearing loss.

High fever.

High or low blood pressure.

Hostility.

Inability to move arms, legs, or facial muscles.

Inability to speak.

Increased hunger.

Increased need to urinate.

Increased ocular pressure.

Increased sweating.

Increased thirst.

Increased urination.

Irritability.

Lack of coordination.

Lethargy.

Light-colored stools.

Lip smacking or puckering.

Loss of appetite.

Loss of balance control.

Loss of bladder control.

Loss of consciousness.

Lower back or side pain.

Mental depression or anxiety,

Muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities.

Muscle tightness.

Muscle trembling, jerking or stiffness.

Muscle twitching.

Nausea and vomiting.

Nightmares or unusually vivid dreams.

Overactive reflexes.

Painful or difficult urination.

Passing urine more often.

Pinpoint red spots on skin.

Poor coordination.

Pounding in the ears.

Puffing of cheeks.

Rapid or worm-like movements of tongue.

Rapid weight gain.

Restlessness.

Seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there.

Seizures.

Severe muscle stiffness.

Shakiness and unsteady walk.

Shivering.

Shortness of breath.

Shuffling walk.

Sleeplessness.

Slow speech, Slurred speech.

Sore throat, sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or in mouth.

Stiffness of limbs.

Stupor.

Sudden loss of consciousness.

Sweating.

Swelling of face, ankles, or hands.

Swelling or Puffiness of face.

Swollen glands.

Talking or acting with excitement you cannot control.

Trouble in speaking.

Trouble sleeping.

Troubled breathing.

Twisting movements of body.

Pain or discomfort in arms, jaw, back, or neck.

Unable to sleep.

Uncontrolled chewing movements.

Unexplained weight loss.

Unpleasant breath odor.

Uncontrolled movements, especially of arms, face, neck, back, and legs.

Unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination.

Unusual bleeding or bruising.

Unusual tiredness or weakness.

Unusually pale skin.

Upper right abdominal pain.

Vomiting of blood,

Weakness in arms, hands, legs, or feet.

Weight gain or loss. Yellow eyes and skin.

[Traz60]

Hello again Ollybolly,

I just sent you the whole list of side effects that I found on drugs.com. I tried to separate out the symptoms that applied to what you spoke of, but after I sent it, they were no longer separated so you could find them more easily. I'm sorry, but I tried. I hope the list was helpful anyway.

Good luck!

Traz60

[Ollybolly in reply to Traz60]

A lot of this evening I've had that's very helpful, the doctor said the side effects can happen very quickly and it's possible for them to happen, I stopped taking them after 3 days as they made me extremely bad. But I have a feeling I'm still feeling the effects of the effects, doctor said should be out my system by weekend , thank you for sending the list over as the ones that are present are on that list and worrying me the most.

[Danabzman]

Hi there. Amitriptyline is one of the prescribed medications that can have really bad side effects when stopping. Usually you are advised by the prescribing clinicians not to stop it abruptly or without support or supervision. Prescribed doses should be lowered by small amounts at a time. I was unaware of this and tried to stop it without lowering it slowly. Sweats, shaking, very bad cramps and bad thoughts accompanied the fast pulse that I had. If it is still bad with you seek urgent medical advice. You are not alone in this. Do not try and face it alone as this can compound your problems. I hope that your symptoms ease and your conditions better. Believe me, you are not alone. Best Wishes to you...

[Ollybolly in reply to Danabzman]

Thank you so much, I've had the same my anxiety has calmed but the shaking is still present I was taking it for 3 days but my body did not like it one bit. The fact you mentioned shaking as a side effect when stopping has helped so much. I appreciate it massively

[Agora1]

Hi Ollybolly, Let me help you settle down some. You've got yourself in a high state of anxiety. Breathe x

I too stopped it short when it didn't work for me as well. Amitriptyline is an older antidepressant in the Tricyclic category. It has been used for major depression as well as chronic migraine headaches and neuropathy. It's usually not the first choice for Anxiety. However... 10mg is a very low dose of the drug. Usually patients start out at 25mg upping to 50mg. The fact that you took it only for 3 days at this very low dose means that it will be out of your system very shortly. The half life of the drug is 10-50 hours which would make it out of your system by this weekend (as your doctor said)

I have a medical background and yet I NEVER EVER read the pamphlets that come with a medication or google it. With our anxiety issues comes our being predisposed to whenever we hear or read about something. (Including your fear of MS)

I don't doubt the side effects you felt that made you choose to stop the drug but by reading a list of possibilities will only feed into your anxiety. You are okay, you are safe. Let the drug run it's course and be out of your system once and for all. The shaking is not MS but a part of our anxiety and the adrenaline highs when we are afraid.

Keep us informed as to how you are doing. You should be feeling better as each day goes by. Hang in there, unfortunately this is the only way doctors can know what works for you and what doesn't. Eat well, make sure you drink plenty of water and listen to some Meditation/Deep Breathing on YouTube to lower your anxious thoughts. Hope this helps quiet your mind some. xx

[Ollybolly in reply to Agora1]

I'm a lot better shaking has calmed, but still noticeable in my hands and legs still feel shaky and weak I'm hoping it's still a side affect as that's the only thing worrying me

[Agora1 in reply to Ollybolly]

Ollybolly, I'm glad that you are feeling better. Try allowing it to run it's course. The noticeable shaking and weakness in your hands and legs are more the anxiety from the fear of fear than it is a side effect. When I get over worried about something it immediately shows in my hands shaking. Once you calm down it will go away. It's going to be okay. xx

[Ollybolly in reply to Agora1]

I believe you, it's just hard, prior to taking it I was fine, now I've stopped I'm noticing the weakness and shakyness so much it's giving me severe anxiety attacks and just making me depressed that it won't go away and making me think it's something severe. It's all started since I've taken it. I believe I'll be okay but this current time I'm far from it. I am fearing over it so I don't know if that's causing it.

[Agora1 in reply to Ollybolly]

Stay with us on the forum Ollybolly. We will see you through this. I know you are scared. It's something new and we don't like new or unexplained events. I've been where you are but after 30 years of being on a medication and then weaning off. The symptoms were bad but the thought of being medication free was strong enough to carry me through. It's a small challenge when you think of the goal ahead. You are not alone, we stand by you. xx

[Ollybolly in reply to Agora1]

It's just scaring me I can thank anyone enough without this Orin I souldnt be here, it's just getting worse and worse my legs literally feel like they have weights on them and my hands jus shake so severely now . This can't be anxiety it's constant since the medication I'm out of options