Palpitations / Amitryptiline

[ss017]

Are heart palpitations normal when coming off Amitryptiline?? I am in the process of weaning off & feeling them

[Gjkas]

I was on Amitriptyline many years ago for nerve damage in my foot after having a bunion operation. I was on 120 M.G a day.Brilliant tablet for nerve damage, but if you have a heart problem, leave well alone. I have chronic fibromyalgia and my Doctor is at a loss as to what to give me to ease the pain. I am also going to Pain Management Doctors, Rheumatologists and Orthopaedics.I have had Trapeziectomys on both hands because of Arthritis and the Amitriptyline really helped. But now because i have this heart problem I can't even take just one 10 mg tablet. Heavy pains in chest, bad palpitations, sweating, just not worth the risk because you don't know if it's an Angina attack or if the Amitriptyline is causing it.You could be having some withdrawal symptoms from coming off them, but stay with it, they are not a good tablet to take if you have a heart problem, especially if you are on a high dose. Take care and good luck. Gjkas

[ss017 in reply to Gjkas]

About a month ago i had all the heart tests done and they were all normal. I have been taking the Amitryptiline for 9 months and never had this problem while taking them. It wasnt until i decreased the dose that the palpitations started. My original dose was 25mg and i am now on 10mg. I am just at a loss and i dont know what to do. Any idea how long i should wean off for?

[Gjkas in reply to ss017]

Hi ss017,just wondering why you were put on Amitriptyline in the first place. Cardiologist don't usually prescribe this medication if you have a heart problem because they do cause palpitations. If you were put on them for a different type of problem you probably would get some kind of withdrawal symptoms. If your original dose was only 25mg per day and you are now down to 10 mg it shouldn't be much longer. What if you try taking one every other day, then just stop.If you are getting really stressed out about it, give your G.P a ring and just ask their advice. Good luck. Gjkas

[ss017 in reply to Gjkas]

I was put on Amitryptiline for neck pain. I am thinking/hoping the palpitations are just a withdrawal symptom since my body is now getting less of the drug. I talked to my doctor today and he said palpitations could possibly occur if anxiety is heightened from decreasing the dose. I may stick with the 10mg for a while longer to get my body used to being on a lower dose, then go down to 5mg so i can slowly get off

[Gjkas in reply to ss017]

So glad you went to your Doctor for advice. I know Amitriptyline is a real good tablet for pain. Your body is bound to miss it as you come down off it Dont be in a rush,go easy. I think you're doing it the right way.

Good luck. Gjkas

[Qualipop]

Horrible tablets. I've had them pushed at me at least 10 times over the years for FIbromyalgia. I just can't tolerate them. They give palpitations and make me feel like a zombie. They have very little idea what to give for pain other than Amitrip and gabapentin, neither of which help much.

[Gjkas in reply to Qualipop]

Hi Qualipop,you got Fibromyalgia as well. I call it THE DEVILS DISEASE. I just wish people could see it, especially the Doctors. You're right about the medication, they haven't really got a clue as what to give you. I'm on 5 mg butrans patch 1 per week,250 mg pregablin per day.Now they have kindly offered me Paracetamol, they're a waste of time. At the moment I am in agony and so depressed, i just don't know what to do with myself. You'd think that in this day and age they'd have something better to give us. Can't take Amitriptyline because of my heart problem and although i was on them years ago for nerve damage, i was fine. But not anymore.

[Qualipop in reply to Gjkas]

I've had it for over 30 years. Actually I am certain it's Lyme not Fibro. I came back from teh USA iin 1974 with teh typical bulls eye rash and a fever and was tested at the time but before my body had produced antibodies so it came back negative. GP now just insists there's no treatment for long standing Lyme. Anyway FIbro is the diagnosis I got. Pregabalin, gabapentin made me suicidal. I worked my way through everything on offer until morphine did help but I was allergic to it so I've been on oxynorm since 2002. Not that that does a lot. The ONLY way to ease FIbro is with exercise- the last thing you feel like when in so much pain but it really does help to keep moving.

[Crochetwoman]

Sorry to hear your having problems.

I too have had Fibromyalgia for around ten years but thankfully I feel I am usually on top of it now. Have been through the works and still take 10-30mg amitriptyline a night, depending on my body’s need. It is not a painkiller but once asleep ( nor a sleeping tablet) it helps to go to deep sleep which Is when your nerves etc repair. It also stops me twitching and kicking my poor hubby!🥴

I take co- codamol as required for pain.

Had a sudden H.A and stent December last year so on the usual meds.

No one has told me to come off them. Should they?