Hi all! Not sure how this is done?? (First tim... - Ataxia UK
Hi all! Not sure how this is done?? (First time user) Does anyone have experience with Amitriptyline? Have been recommended it. Unsure.
Hello there
Thank you for your question.
Can I ask, what type of ataxia do you have? What have you been recommended amitriptyline for?
Best Wishes
Harriet
Hi Harriet...thanks for your reply!
Have been following the gluten-free route (though the diagnostic endoscopy was inconclusive). But...last scan showed no further atrophy in a year (YAY!) Prior to that, it was assumed to be just idiopathic?? Also told I had M.E. late nineties after dizziness/weariness/intermittent double vision and nystagmus etc. etc...
Apparentlyy the Amitriptyline could help with the difficulty sleeping, numbness and neurological pain. Was told it's a fairly common drug used by CA patients?? I think there's also an anti-depressant benefit (my mood is low) But that wasn't what it was sold to me on. Just don't like the look of the side effects, particularly the weight gain as I've gained a fair bit over the years due to having to follow a more sedentary lifestyle.
Sorry, you probably got more than you asked for there!
Kind wishes,
Diz
I dont know about this drug, which you mention, and have no experience with it. In fact, I never heard of it. For the nth time, I am treated with something called IVIg (once a month) because my CA is believed to be of an auto-immune nature. I have no eye nystagmus but dizziness and some degree of speech impediment which many don't hear but which I feel. But good luck to u.
Hi Diz
Thank you for you detailed reply!
I am sorry that finding a cause for your ataxia is proving difficult. Great news about the latest scan though! I have an idiopathic cerebellar ataxia for over 20 years. I haven't had an MRI since around 2000 which showed cerebellar atrophy at that time. I have been referred for another one so it will be interesting to see what that shows!
As you have discovered amitriptyline is used to treat various things and you are correct, it can have a range of side effects. I have never taken it personally. Before recently taking early retirement on medical grounds, I was a Speciality Doctor in Psychiatry so I have mostly seen it prescribed for patients with depression. I know it is used to treat the neurological symptoms you describe but I am afraid I do not know how commonly it is used.
When a patient complains of a new symptom when taking a medicine, however small, the doctor has to report it as a possible side effect. As such individual medicines can have very long lists of side effects, some common through to some very rare, which are not experienced by everyone who takes it. Although common side effects of amitriptyline are drowsiness, blurred vision, constipation, dry mouth and weight gain, they are side effects and you will not necessarily experience them. Some people do and some don't. Unfortunately there is no way to know if you will experience any side effect and if you do, which ones you will and to what extent.
When considering whether to take a particular medicine, you have to decide how problematic the targeted symptoms to be treated are to you and if you could cope with the side effects which may or may not happen. Also you should remember the same medicine may not work for one person but be excellent in the next.
A tough decision but good luck in making it!
Harriet
As far as I am aware Amitriptaline is one of the older standard anti-depressant drugs,it's been around for a long time.Personally having been prescribed a range of anti-deppressents in the past (including Amatriptaline) I would run a mile from it
Far better to improve,attitude,lifestyle,diet,interests (hobbies etc) and exercise .I know it sounds boring when it is so easy to pop a pill,but I think it is the best way. Good luck!!
Hello
First things first, welcome to the site I hope we can help you.
Secondly Amitryptalin has been around for sometime. I haven't used it personally but know it very well. It can be very good indeed, it shouldn't be weight inducing.
Willowpuss is right exercise and lifestyle are the best. Low mood is something we all get and I'm sure we all take tablets of some sort.
Take care
Fifa
I thought amitriptalene was a mild anti depressant used at night to help with sleep.
I take Citalopram another anti-depressant which has worked for me .
Before that Seroxat which made me very agitated.
I think it's a matter of experimenting.
The doctor will probably recommend Cognitive Behaviour therapy as well.
One man's meat is another man's poison.
By the way welcome to the site.You will get good advice from this site.
