HAPPY, PAIN-FREE 2017, Everyone

[Bazr1957]

No internet access over the festive period, so I'm wishing everybody happy new year now.

The amitriptyline works, not right round the clock, (I take 25mg at night) but I am getting better sleep; waking up feeling like Ive been on an all-night bender, but it passes as the morning progresses; still getting pain during the day, but have spent the last 2 weeks gradually knocking the Tramadol on the head. Got in touch with a local bloke who is a fellow sufferer, who reckons that because I'm not getting 24 hour relief, the Doc may up my daily dosage by 10mg. Is that normal? Has anyone else had the same experience early on after their initial diagnosis? x

[TheAuthor]

Hi Bazr1957

I am so genuinely sorry to read that you had no internet, and I want to sincerely wish you a wonderful new year my friend. I have pasted you a link and an excerpt below about Amitriptyline and doses for pain from an *Arthritis UK pdf cache:

*What is it used for?

It’s used to treat chronic (long-term) pain caused by arthritis, spinal problems, fibromyalgia,

chronic headaches and peripheral neuropathy (damage to nerve endings in the upper and lower limbs).

*How is it taken?

It’s usually taken as tablets or syrup once a day, about two hours before bedtime. The usual dose for chronic pain is 5–50 mg daily.

Amitriptyline - Arthritis UK

nhs.uk/ipgmedia/national/ar...

However, according to the Fibromyalgia Symptoms website, for use in depression you can actually take up to 150 mg daily. I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck, and please take care of yourself.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[BlueMermaid3]

Hi there

You don't say how long you've been taking the Amitryptyline for?

You are on a relatively low dose (the max dose is 175mg) so upping it by 10mg isn't huge, so long as it is on your GP's recommendation.

Try taking your dose around 6pm every evening. This lessens the "groggy" feeling that can be felt the next day.

Amitryptyline is a good all rounder as it helps with low mood, pain and sleep.

It can take up to 6 weeks to fully get into your system and work properly.

Good luck.

Wishing you much peace

Lu xx

[Trikki]

Hi....I am also on Amitriptyline and take 50 or 75mg at about 6.00pm and I sleep much better. I am fortunate I don't have to get up for work.....I also have Tramadol but I only take that when I absolutely need to, but well done for trying to come off!!! x

[BonnieSue]

Yes, I agree with what's been said. You're not on much amitriptyline and the increase isn't all that much, either.

[Hidden]

Hi Baz your doc should have told you that you can increase dose of amytriptalene until you are happy with pain level - this is what I did with docs advice on first starting - I now take 30mg and I'm happy now - it depends what time you take your dose too as to how groggy you are in the morning - if you taking around 9-10pm I'd say try to take around 6/7pm this is what I've found doesn't make me groggy in the morning.

Plus what magic wand did you wave to come off tramadol as I was given this years ago for cervical spondylosis and I've tried a couple of times to change me off it but the pain is so bad I have to take again - I do know how to reduce by the way as used to be a nurse - and don't take the prescribed dose just one morning one evening so I know come by coming off slowly I won't get side effects but unfortunately the pain kicks back st me. Take Care hope you sort out amytriptalene. 😘😘🤗🤗

[bluebell99]

I take amitriptyline at night and it works quite well. I have gradually had it increased over the years until I am now on 60mg. On a recent bout of heavy jaw pain, my GP said to increase another 10mg but I found that at 70mg I started having hallucinations, so 60mg seems to be the optimum level for me.

I hasten to add that not everyone hallucinates at that level, just me.

Hope you manage to work out your dosage and also wish you good luck with the Tramadol reduction.

X

[Janet28]

Hi Bazr1957 I have taken amitriptyline for years & in varied doses. As other members have said, it's better to take them early eve so you don't feel so groggy the next morning. You are normally started on a low dose which is slowly increased until you feel the full benefits. It normally starts at 20mg & go's up in 10mg & at times I have taken 100mg at night. I take 50mg now & up it if I'm having a flare but this was advised by my GP. Sometimes if I'm in agony in the morning I take 10mg and this helps in morning for me. I even went on 75mg slow release ones when I was having a bad flare & couldnt get pain under control.

What I'm trying to say, is everyone is different and reacts differently to medication and you really need to see your doctor and see what thry suggest but they will more than likely increase the dose.

Do you take any other medication for Fibro, have you been given Gabapentin or Pregablin ?

Peace, luv n light

Jan x

[fibo]

I hav found that once you get uses to any meds they stop working sorry, I hav learnt to live with the pain I still take the meds but hav lower the dose of all of them to stop the drowsiness.😆take care Happy New Year 🎉🎆