antidepressants

[Alice70]

Hi , after speaking at length to chest nurse at BLF I ,won't go into at this time she ,just explained to me things that I didn't understand marvelousshe was she ,also advised that I see my GP about antidepressants meds as I am feeling low and anxious at now ,I am already taking 10 mg of amitriptyline for other reason I'm ,wondering if anyone else is taking amitriptyline, and at what mgs and ,does antidepressants help ,thanks in advance

[SORRELHIPPO]

I take Amitriptyline 25mg tablets, two in the morning and 2 before I go to bed. I take them for help in getting to sleep and depression. It has worked for me, started on 2 tabs at night and only one in the morning, but about a year ago, I upped the morning dose to two. My GP was OK with this and it seems to have levelled off my mood.

[Alice70 in reply to SORRELHIPPO]

Thank you sorrel ,as I'm already taken 10mg I'll ask my GP to up the dose ,I don't hear from him until monday

[SORRELHIPPO in reply to Alice70]

I have also had Cognitive Behavioural Therapy 3 times over the years, also seemed to have helped, GP's can refer for this, but goodness knows what the waiting list will be like these days.

[Alice70 in reply to SORRELHIPPO]

I was diagnosed copd seven years ago had coped with it until now ,I also have chronic urticaria (hives)this is the reason I am taking 10mg of amitriptyline along with 4 antihistamine a day also injection once a month .My hives are autoimmune and never go ,just not coping at the moment

[SORRELHIPPO in reply to Alice70]

I have Crohn's so my immune system is attacking me, as you say there are times I just do not cope. We struggle together.

[Patk1]

Mindsmatter offer many mental health services.u can self refer.gps often recommend contacting them x

[Alice70 in reply to Patk1]

Thank you Patk1

[Caspiana]

Hello Alice. For mental sanity I would do anything (nothing illegal 😅) Including taking anti depressants. At first I hated it. It didn't help that my mum called them "happy pills" although I understand she is from a different generation and there was stigma attached years ago. My dose however is tiny. But I know it helped me immensely when I was going through a terrible patch with my health and other things. I am still on the same pill , same dose ten years later. I doubt it actually works now and is probably more of a placebo effect. Talk to your doctor. Hold nothing back. Tell them everything and see what they recommend. Sending hugs.

Cas xx 🌿

[Alice70 in reply to Caspiana]

Thank you caspiana ,it's awful when you are feel down with anxiety, this is the first time I have felt this way since diagnoses seven years ago ,not only lung health going on a few others to ,chronic urticaria which is very itchie sometimes my skin feels as if burning when bad ,throw in a cataract op coming up ,so I've spoken to myself and agreed with BLF ,it's no wonder I'm feeling down ,so I can't wait to speak to my gp on Monday to get some antidepressants, funny thing now I've realised that I am feeling a bit better

[helenlw7]

I take amitriptyline, 30mg at night, but to help me sleep, not as an antidepressant.

[Tykelady]

I have been on citalopram for many years now for anxiety and depression. Like Caspiana I wonder if they now are just a placebo but as my circumstances have changed very little, other than a progression of the COPD, since I was first prescribed them I will continue as I have no bad side effects from them.

[Alice70 in reply to Tykelady]

I can't wait now to get some ,but as I've said to caspiana I feel a little better realising what's wrong

[fancy1872]

Hi. I have been on 75mg amitriptyline for about 20 years now. I had been on a low doze for pain relief initially, so when I was going through a difficult time and needed anti depressant , my GP decided it was logical to stay on that but with the higher dozage. Im sure the highest dozage for depression is much more than that. We tried Prozac ( sorry cant remember generic name) for a short period but felt it didnt work (no side effects thankfully) and so went back on amitriptyline. The only problem I had was i used to take it in the mornings and would be tired for a large part of the day. It was only on further discussion with GP did he advise taking at night because it has a slight sedate side to it. It is so small I never noticed it. Nothing compared to strong pain killers or bendiocarbs. No side effects for me, but not sure if it actually does the job, but thats just my experience. Tried various talking therapies also , but havent worked for me. I now am 62 and just accept that I probably have suffered with it most of my life and in many ways just accept it. I find for me it is less stressful accepting it, but again that is just me. Good luck with what you decide.

[Alice70 in reply to fancy1872]

Thank you fancy ,my sister takes 30 mg at night originally for arthritis, she swears they help her cope with the arthritis

[Izb1]

Hi Alice70, sorry to hear you are feeling low and suggest you talk to your doctor. Amitriptyline 10mg was given to me by my Rheumy doctor for my rheumatoid arthritis which I take occasionally if the pain is bad, it really helps me to relax and sleep, you perhaps need a stronger dose and am sure your doctor can help with this. Mental health issues are becoming a subject we can discuss more openly nowadays which is a good thing, there is lots of help out there Alice so please ask for it x

[Alice70 in reply to Izb1]

Thank you Izb1,see my GP Monday

[micox]

NICE has just issued new policy on treatment for depression. Find it on their website.

[Alice70 in reply to micox]

I will check it out,thank you micox

[HollyBoyd]

Hi Alice70. I have no experience with Amitriptyline. My experience is with Mirtazapine, a medication for anxiety and depression , which I have been taking for over a year now with good effect, mainly to control the anxiety and panic attacks I was experiencing. I hope you are able to discus your feelings with your GP and then he can decide which would be the most beneficial for you. Good luck xxx

[Alice70 in reply to HollyBoyd]

Thank you Holly,feeling a little better now I've been stopped fighting it if you know what I mean ,seeing my gp monday

[HollyBoyd]

That's good Alice, it can make such a difference just writing it all down, unburden yourself, can be quite therapeutic. Good luck on Monday xxx 😊

[Aingeful]

I can take your cataract op worry away(hopefully!) I had both my eyes done a couple of years ago and its been the best thing ever!! I've been told that my vision now exeeds 20/20!

[Suzie42 in reply to Aingeful]

I've just been referred for my right eye cataract to be removed, optician said it will be within 4 months.

[Alice70 in reply to Aingeful]

My worry is when nurse told me that you have some king of sheet that is high over face ,with my breathing being severe the thought gives me claustrophobic, and they have now stopped given sedation

[Aingeful in reply to Alice70]

I think you will find that you cope OK,explain your feelings and I'm sure they will work with them to improve your experience. I'm claustrophobic too.

[Aingeful]

Good luck! I'm so glad that I got mine done.x

[Qr83k_-Jd]

I take amitriptyline 30mg at night and I was prescribed by the doctor at the pain clinic for restless leg syndrome. It works for that very well. I have been taking it for about 7 years and have no problems with it. I am 64 and I would advise you to go and see your GP and discuss this further and ask your GP if there are alternative more modern drugs that don't cause as much drowsiness.

[Alice70 in reply to Qr83k_-Jd]

Thank you Qr83k,I am seeing gp Monday, I believe a lot of people take them for pain ,my sister does 30mg she tells me the drowsiness does wear of

[Qr83k_-Jd in reply to Alice70]

Yes it does wear off, I am glad you are going to stick with them Good luck to you.