Amitriptyline

[Deni52]

Could anyone tell me if amitriptyline has been helpful for fibro please 

[peck]

I was given it several years ago for sleep.I don't know about FM as I no longer take it.Peck ☺

[Deni52 in reply to peck]

Doctor did give it for sleep and pain I average about 4.5 hrs a night, did you wake groggy? 

[peck in reply to Deni52]

At first but once your system gets use to it sleep is wonderful! ! Just my opinion. Peck.😊

[Deni52 in reply to peck]

Ok thanks must admit I am sensitive to meds so groggy here I come 😴😴

[BlueMermaid3 in reply to Deni52]

My apologies Deni52

I meant to say that if you take your Amitryptyline about 6pm it will lessen the effect of feeling groggy the next day.

That groggy feeling is very common with this medication.

Lu xx

[bluebell99]

I take it and find it very helpful for pain.  I still don't sleep all night averaging less than five hours.  Take it earlier in the evening if you wake up groggy next day.

[Deni52 in reply to bluebell99]

Will do that I am tempted to only take half would that be so wrong? 

[bluebell99 in reply to Deni52]

I think it would depend on what dose you are on as usually you start low anyway.  I would go by the dose your doctor has prescribed and contact him if you find no difference after a week or so.

[Charlydot1 in reply to Deni52]

I'm prescribed 10mg but only take 5, i only take the whole 10mg if I've got no plans till tea tea time lol ☺

[BlueMermaid3]

Hi Deni52  

Amitryptyline is the medication that Rheumatologists most often prescribe when they diagnose Fibromyalgia.

It is an antidepressant at a higher dose.  It helps with sleep, mood and pain.

I was interested to hear a doctor talking about this medication on the tv this morning (not Fibro related) saying that it can take a couple of months to really get into your system.  I didn't know that!  I thought it took about six weeks.

If you are considering trying it I would say to go for it.  Out of all the antidepressants that I have tried (which is a lot) this one had the least side effects.

Does that help at all?

I am not medically trained, but am just speaking from my own experiences.

Wishing you less pain and more peace

Lu xx

Admin Volunteer

[Deni52 in reply to BlueMermaid3]

It does help thank you, it's good to hear other people's thoughts I think it helps you make more educated decisions plus it's not a shock/worry if you do get a possible side effect you have already been told about. 👍

[Charlydot1]

I'm on 5mg a night but can only take it if havnt got to get up early and drive, as I'm very sensitive to it, It helps with a good deep sleep.  My doc has literally today prescribed me citrolaplan (not sure if that's how u spell it) he says that will help during the day. 

[BlueMermaid3 in reply to Charlydot1]

Hi Charlydot1  

Have you tried taking your Amitryptyline around 6pm. It does lessen the groggy feeling the next day. 

The only way to get the full effect of this med is to take it regularly. It's not a pain killer that you take as and when you need it. You need to take it every day. 

Best wishes

Lu xx

[Charlydot1 in reply to BlueMermaid3]

I didn't know to take it earlier, as of tomorrow I will be. At the moment I'm having to get up at 5.15 am 4 am's a wk to pick my boyf up from work nd it's soo draining, I go back to bed when I get back but that broken sleep is so damaging for my day and the pills make me so drowsy I can't drive. But I'll take one earlier tomoz and see how it effects me sat am. 😊

[BlueMermaid3 in reply to Charlydot1]

Try taking it around 6pm if you can.  That really should lessen your fogginess.

Also, if you take it regularly, after a couple of weeks that drowsiness feeling should start wearing off.

Good luck  Let me know how you get on tomorrow.

Lu xx

[Deni52 in reply to BlueMermaid3]

I will reply from my treadmill in the morning ...not lol 

[BlueMermaid3 in reply to Deni52]

Lol!

[Deni52 in reply to BlueMermaid3]

Slept reasonably well I was aware of leg pain but would continue sleeping, 5am (my oh got up for work) bit of headache took paracetamol then slept another 2 hrs, bit hazy till lunch time then ok, pain on and off in knees, hips, shoulder, jaw, back lol but it wasn't too bad in all. Sitting for long periods doesn't help though, but this time yesterday I was laying on the sofa. Been shopping prepared lunch and I'm still here 👍 pity I can't guarantee same or better tomorrow but we live in hope don't we 🙏

[Deni52 in reply to Deni52]

Been to busy for the treadmill 😂

[Deni52 in reply to Charlydot1]

Just taken half so will see how it goes, no plans in the morning so safe there 

[peck in reply to Charlydot1]

I take this in the morning for deoression.Dr put me on this when he took me off amitrip . I was worried about not sleeping at night but have not really noticed.Good luck Peck.😊

[TheAuthor]

Hi Deni52

I sincerely hope that you are feeling as well as you possibly can be today? I do not take Amitriptyline, as I am on a similar drug called Nortriptyline. I want to genuinely wish you all the best of luck with yours.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[MariLiz]

I find it helps with sleep, my GP once told me it increases the effectiveness of other painkillers. So I can take one cocodamol with it instead of two.

[Deni52 in reply to MariLiz]

Took 2 paracetamol this morning so should I take 1, I guess the amitriptyline last 24hrs

[MariLiz in reply to Deni52]

I think if you take the Amitryptiline at night, then it's fine to take two paracetamol in the morning. I was taking a cocodamol at night at the same time as the Amitryptiline. Not sure the effects of Amitryptiline last twenty four hours.

[Deni52 in reply to MariLiz]

Right I thought because it was given for sleep and pain it would have lasted 24hrs for tge pain and take it at night because it makes you drowsy initially.  Anyway it worked like that for me 👍

[MariLiz in reply to Deni52]

It took about six weeks for the full benefit of the Amitryptiline to build up. I think if you need extra pain meds in the day, then do what works for you. As long as you don't exceed the maximum dose on any of them. Hope you feel better soon. MariLiz

[Deni52 in reply to MariLiz]

Will do thank you 

[BlueMermaid3 in reply to Deni52]

Hi Deni52  

How much and how often were you prescribed the Amitriptyline?

It's usually taken once a day preferably around 6pm to avoid any grogginess the next day. 

Yes, you're fine taking paracetamol with the Amitriptyline. Amitriptyline needs to be taken every day in order to get into your system and start working properly. 

Lu xx

[Deni52 in reply to BlueMermaid3]

Prescribed 10mg took 5 to see effects as I am sensitive to meds sometimes will give it a week to see at 5 

[BlueMermaid3 in reply to Deni52]

With this type of med you need to take it regularly for a least 3 weeks before you could hope to see any real benefit  with it. 

It's well worth sticking with it if you can. Lu 

[Deni52 in reply to BlueMermaid3]

I have only been given two weeks supply and have to speak to the doctor again then.