amitriptyline

[dillydally1]

hi, I take 50mg of the above at night for trapped nerve pain. I have taken them for few years. I have begun to feel more groggy and tired in the mornings. 8 days ago I decided to try 40mg, not quite as groggy but not sleeping has well, can feel my neck pain slightly worse. I also feel a little down. will this improve. anyone who has info on this, I would be very grateful xx

[Dogs4life]

Hiya I also take 50mg and find if I take it to late I feel like this so I try to take it a couple of hours before bedtime which I find helps . Good luck finding a solution that suits you 😉

[dillydally1 in reply to Dogs4life]

hi, I take mine at 7pm. thank you for your reply. x

[panda60]

I can only tolerate 5-10mg; more than that and I am totally out for the count. I take mine at around 6pm when I have to take my warfarin.

[dillydally1 in reply to panda60]

thank you x

[Hidden]

I wonder what time you take your 50mg? it is suggested to take it well before bedtime so that its kicked in and you wake up with it worn off.. you wont doze off after you take say around 5pm or withevening meal -maybe try that method but don't alter your dose without your docs saying so as it affects other things like depression (amitrip are anti depressants but they help sleep)

[dillydally1 in reply to Hidden]

thanks for your reply, I take mine at 7pm. and yes your right I should have spoken to gp x

[Gina-wen]

I also have several trapped nerves in the neck and lumbar, was on amatriptyline. I was only given fibro diagnosis last week after years of suffering...anyway the doctor stopped my amatriptyline and put me on the pregabalin with pain killers instead. If you're taking other stuff with them you'll get groggy, can you phone the chemist...they may have some advice. Well wishes coming at you anyway. x

[dillydally1 in reply to Gina-wen]

thanks for your reply, love your head gear x

[Eviee in reply to dillydally1]

Hi again, just reading more comments, I have been on a combination of pregabalin (Lyrica) and amitriptyline which you may find a better balance as it can reduce the grogginess from just a single high dose of one. x

[BlueMermaid3]

Hi dillydally1

When I was prescribed Amitrypytline my GP told me to take it at least 12 hours before I needed to get up the next day.

I take mine no later than 6pm.

Please be careful about changing your dose of medication without speaking to your GP about it first.

With regard to your neck have you tried using a different pillow. You need a pillow that is fairly soft and that does not raise your neck too high.

Ideally you should be as flat as possible.

Please let us know how you get on.

Wishing you much peace

Lu xx

[dillydally1 in reply to BlueMermaid3]

hi,thanks for your reply, can't tell you how many pillows I have tried, got one at the moment that is quite good. i've reduced from 50mg to 40mg in one week. not sure whether to go back to 50mg, mainly because I feel a bit down and notice slight difference in pain. x

[BlueMermaid3 in reply to dillydally1]

Personally I think it would be best for you to stay on what you were prescribed.

Amitryptyline only works as an antidepressant when taken at a certain dose. I keep meaning to look it up, so it could be that the antidepressant side isn't kicking in at 40mg.

Is it possible for you to go and see your GP for a review of your meds? It may be that you need to have them tweaked a bit.

I hope you start feeling better in yourself soon.

Lu xx

[dillydally1 in reply to BlueMermaid3]

thank you, you have been very helpful x

[BlueMermaid3 in reply to dillydally1]

You're very welcome

Please be kind to yourself.

Lu xx

[Al10 in reply to dillydally1]

They don't make pillows like they used to. I have lots of lovely rejects. They look nice, feel nice but by golly my neck will ache in the morning (and for days or weeks to come!) if I get a silly idea to upgrade from my old cosy one. Just like Goldilocks, my pillow has to be just right and my matress and. . .

[dillydally1 in reply to Al10]

ah ah,thanks goldilocks may your just right pillow last forever x

[peck]

Hi dillydally1 , Several years ago I was put om Amitriptyline not for sleep,,RLS but for depression.I have since been changed to Celexa for my depression .You may have been getting help in that area as well and didn't realize it.Jyst a thought as I remember losing my GOOD sleep when taken off of it.Good luck.Peck.🐤

[TheAuthor]

Hi dillydally1

I sincerely hope that you are feeling as well as you possibly can be today? I have never been able to tolerate Amitriptyline and my GP has me taking its sister drug, Nortriptyline. As BlueMermaid3 says, that it would be best to stay on your prescribed dose until you can discuss changes with your GP?

I have pasted a link below to a small pdf booklet written in conjunction by the NHS & Arthritis Research UK about Amitriptyline, so I truly hope that you find this useful my friend:

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

I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck and please take care of yourself my friend.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[dillydally1 in reply to TheAuthor]

thank you, i will read the the article. x

[dillydally1 in reply to TheAuthor]

hi, i have read the article and found it very helpful. xx

[TheAuthor in reply to dillydally1]

Good luck my friend x

[Newtali]

Ask your GP about nortriptyline. It has less side effects.

[Eviee]

Hi there, I was in so much pain that I was eventually on 125 mg in combination with others for a few years, the fogginess and tiredness eventually wore me down more than the pain. I did a cold turkey which I would not recommend, but if you can reduce the dosage and find alternative pain reliefs it feels amazing to be able to think again! Good luck!

[TheAuthor in reply to Eviee]

Hi Eviee

I sincerely hope that you are feeling as well as you possibly can be today? Welcome to the forum and it is wonderful to make your acquaintance. I have pasted below a link to our mother site, FMA UK which hosts loads of useful Fibro information:

fmauk.org/

I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck and please take care of yourself my friend.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[Eviee in reply to TheAuthor]

Hi Ken,

Thank you for that, I am new to the UK so still finding out what is available here so this is useful.

Eviee

[TheAuthor in reply to Eviee]

Good luck Eviee my friend