Amitriptyline and weight gain.

[Iain_100]

I've seen many people mention amitriptyline. Does anyone find that they have put on a lot more weight since starting to use?

The reason I ask: I haven't been prescribed this yet. But know a young lady who took amitriptyline as a muscle relaxant (for neck/stress/sever migraine problems), and she put on loads of weight - although her diet, and amount of exercise she was doing, did not change. And within a few weeks of stopping the amitriptyline (she was taking it orally, as "drops"), her weight was back to normal-ish.

Being sedentary doesn't help with weight as it is now. So I'm just trying to see if the benefits of amitriptyline outweigh any affects - before I get to the stage that it might be suggested to me.

Thanks.

Iain

[Ginger1]

I can't comment on Amytriptiline as I have never been prescrbed. I do, however, take Gabapentin which does put weight on (although I wasn't informed of thsi initially). Whatever is prescibed, as you say, we're more sedentary so that doesn't help but I try and do exercise within my capabilities and eat healthily. I have put weight on but not dramatically, as I do 'try' and help myself. Whatever is prescribed, good luck. Sharon

[memielou]

Hello Iain,

A few months back I was diagnosed with migraine attacks and prescribed Sumatriptan, which I don't have to take regulary but seems to work as long as I catch the onset of the attack in time. The neurologist was unclear whether it was connected to my Ataxia or my Trigeminal neuralgia, either way, it's 'real' and not imagined! I do worry sometimes if I'm making all this up? I wish I was! I take Propanonol for tremmors, which don't seem to make much difference but I've taken them for so long and they don't seem to be causing any harm. I reduced them from 4 to 2 a day and my feet an ankles stopped swelling but there could've been other reasons for this?

I am aware that I've probably not answerd your question. When it comes to medication for the symptoms of Ataxia, I think we have to trust our neurologist to a point, I guess they're learning too, as there is no set-manual for Ataxia. Try what they suggest and tell them if it doesn't work for you and the reason why not but give it chance and weigh up the advantages against the dissadvantages. Don't listen to other people's 'scare stories', everyone experiences things differently. If the medication helps the problem I had, significantly enough, I'd be inclined to put up with and adapt to the side-effects.

Finally, Ataxian's have 'good days' and 'bad days'. If you're having a 'bad day'... don't beat yourself up about it, this will only make you feel worse... give in to it, no-one can push themselves to be positive all the time. Tomorrow could be a 'Good Day' :o)

Mel

[klazien in reply to memielou]

Hello memielou,

This is not about Ataxia, but I have questions about migraine and Sumatriptan.

I have been taking that for years and a lot of it because of very many migraine attacks. Never more than 1 tablet per day but often more than 15 days per month.

As soon as it came on the market I started with it but I wonder if a cumulative effect of this does not affect the deterioration of other things in the brain. After all, I was told that Sumatriptan works on the bloodvessels in the brain. Migraine is very prevalent in my family but except for my sister, nobody took Sumatriptan. She died of a stroke.

Has anybody ever told you whether Sumatriptan is bad?

[memielou in reply to klazien]

Hello Klazien,

I'm sorry to hear of your suffering and the loss of your sister.

I was told NOT to take Sumatriptan regularly but ONLY when I felt an attack coming on, the aura stage - flashing lights in eyes, numbness and tingling around mouth and nose in my case. this is how I differentiate between a migraine and just a headache. I believe symptoms vary between sufferers, your neurologist should help you identify them. I have to be careful what medication I take because of what I have to take to keep the Trigeminal Neuralgia at bay which, trust me, is my main priority! perhaps this is why she said not to take it regularly? I didn't ask as I trust her judgement she has always been honest with me.

As I said before... everyone is reacts differently to pain and symptoms aswel as medication. What works perfectly for one may not for another. If you are worried about anything, mention it to your doctor/neurologist and if you're still not happy ask for a second opinion. Worry and anxiety doesn't help to improve anything.

Kind thoughts,

Mel

[wobblybee]

Iain, an individual's reaction to a certain drug can be as variable as Ataxia itself😏

I don't take the medication, but you've put me right off it, I could do with losing a couple of stone anyway😏

Weigh up the pros and cons (😊) and if your symptom is severe, give it a chance?

In any case, what about your travel plans, you'd work any excess weight off😊xBeryl

[Iain_100 in reply to wobblybee]

I don't want to put anybody off, but there was no doubt.

Even without the walking, I seem to be going the other way B.

I'm using a hole in my belt that I haven't needed for a long time

[nigelrheath in reply to Iain_100]

Is that a hole to make the belt shorter or longer?

[Iain_100 in reply to nigelrheath]

Definitely shorter

I haven't weighed myself for ages. But, ataxia aside, I haven't felt this healthy for ages Nigel.

It's all deliberate. I want to be in a good state of physical/mental health and be ready for what comes next. Starting from the best place seems like a very good idea?

Iain

[Hidden]

Hi Iain. I have been prescribed Amitriptyline which I've been taking for about two months. I personally have found them effective for the type of pains I am experiencing (stomach and chest pains due to inflammation). I began the dose at 10mg and my doctor has slowly increased the dose to 30-40 mg daily so far. I have also found no difference in weight gain at all so far. In fact I am still slowly losing weight. On the downside they have had a negative impact on my balance and coordination making my ataxia worse. Having said that, for me there have been more benefits than negatives. I have adjusted my walking to a slower pace using my walker/rollator with less pain. Hope this helps?

[Iain_100 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Iain

[Litty]

Sorry, I know nothing about amitriptyline and this is just what I have found works.

The doctors did try to get me on Baclofen but it did not agree with me. For a muscle relaxant I use organic turmeric (400mg am and pm and if needed one in day) for cramp and it really helps. Every so often I was getting problems and my neuro-physio suggested electrolytes and they did the trick.

Obviously if you are taking anything else be very careful and check. This website is quite good mskcc.org/cancer-care/treat...

Hope it helps

[medea]

Yes. I've been taking amitriptyline for a couple of years and I've been putting on weight. I had not made the connection - but now that you mention it there could well be a direct or an indirect (feeling more relaxed and less active) link. I have FA btw.