Amitriptylinr: Since taking... - Fibromyalgia Acti...

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Amitriptylinr

Cosseryt profile image
15 Replies

Since taking amitriptyline for the last year I am always very Hungary I have always been thin before starting this medication in the las year I have put on a stone and half dose any one else have this issue

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Cosseryt profile image
Cosseryt
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15 Replies
spzgirl51 profile image
spzgirl51

Hello Cosseryt ,

Amitriptyline is firmly on the list of drugs that are known to cause weight gain. I think any drug is a mix of cost and benefit? Good luck to you and best wishes xx

BlueMermaid3 profile image
BlueMermaid3

Hi Cosseryt

I just wanted to wish you a very warm welcome to the forum :)

If you take a look at our mother site you will find lots of information about Fibromyalgia on there fmauk.org

With regard to Amitryptyline one of the side effects of this medication is weight gain.

Amitryptyline is the medication usually prescribed by Rheumatologists because it helps with low mood, pain and sleep.

Unfortunately most of the medications prescribed for Fibro do have weight gain as a side effect.

It is usually a case of having to decide which is worse; the weight gain or the help with the pain etc.

Once again a very warm welcome and I hope you find the forum useful.

Wishing you a sunny day.

Lu x

Administrator

Claire133 profile image
Claire133

Hi there, yes I had this problems too. I was always very slim and fit, I went on Amitriptyline for 8 years and ballooned out, I put on 5 and a half stone in weight. I've come off it now and swapped to Nortriptyline and I can't lose any off the weight at all. Its very upsetting and depressing.

tiredmamma profile image
tiredmamma

I am long term fibro sufferer. My GP put mi into amitriptyline to begin with then pregablin then gabapetin! As you may tell he was looking for a pill to help ease the pain. This has never happened. With all three meds I have put weight in and not just a little. Have put in quite a bit which I then lost over a period of three years (5stone) but had to leave all medication alone and started using transtec patches. I took gabapentin when pain got too bad but starved myself as to give into the hunger. Due to not eating I blacked out last November fell and broke my neck! Guess which medication I have had to take for past seven months??

Yes you've got it..Gabapentin...and am back to square one weight wise and so depressing. Am now on last hurdle if physio for neck and am going to stick with patches and when pain unbearable am going to go to bed until it subsides..as this family if pain replied tablets are making my life mentally worse than better

I have also been taking since giving up gabapentin anti depressants which really do help if you stick with them..well do for me to an extent.

The patches am on top dose and will stick with just them and also anti depressants which really do help the pain but you have to use them three months before you notice a change.

Hope of help

Julie

Smiler69 profile image
Smiler69 in reply to tiredmamma

Hi Julie

I can sympathise with you with the weight gain. I have put on 2 stone since taking Amytryptaline and Gabapentin and Citalopram and Adizam.

The trouble is my knees are now in so much pain with the extra weight.

I wake up each night in so much pain.

I was put on the Gabapentin because I have trapped nerves in my neck .

I am trying to lose weight but I am not getting anywhere. I have Fibromyalgia.

Enjoy the ☀️.

Jane x

tiredmamma profile image
tiredmamma in reply to Smiler69

It's so unfair isn't it..you try to find something to help ease the pain and make your life a bearable one and all you do is add something else to the pain equation!

I am lucky my hubby and kids are understanding as to how I deal with the pain and many a time they will say to me to go to bed as I look so worn out and I always do as they ask...as they hate it when am "in my knees" so having a caring family is best pill I know...

Heliboy911 profile image
Heliboy911

I am also on this medication and it has had the reverse with me I have zero appetite and could go days without food I saw my Dr 6 weeks ago and he told me try eating bananas and wheat bread to get your appetite back have tried it but zero joy had an appt 2 weeks ago at the hospital for an endoscopy to see what if anything was wrong with my stomach Test proved negative for anything.

cindydemon666 profile image
cindydemon666

Hi, im on amytriptyline & pregabalin & after putting on loads of weight & not being able to shift it, when i asked the doctor he told me they both cause weight gain. It is depressing and at the moment i am desperately trying to get used to loving my body in this larger/ different shape...... but its difficult! I cant do without the tablets so im going to have to get used to it. Keep your chin up! Xxx

chrisbrookes9 profile image
chrisbrookes9

As already said before most of the drugs prescribed for Fibro Cfs Me, all will put some weight on. Worst one for weight gain are thr likes of pregabelin gabapentin and amatrip. Weight gain can go through the roof. Talk to your GP about using Orlistat for a few weeks. Orlistat is a diet pill thats ssops the body absorbing fat. Doesent work for everyone mind you, I lost over 3 stone pretty quick on it and no other people have lost weight on it. Got nothng to loose looking into it. Just watch out for the first week mind you and keep a toilet handy.

Tinkerjack1912 profile image
Tinkerjack1912

Hi, I also suffer with this, I am heavier now than I was at full term pregnancy. When I had a break from the amitrypline (doctor was aware) the weight dropped off rapidly and I went back to a very little appetite. X

TheAuthor profile image
TheAuthor

Hi Cosseryt

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.

As the others have written, Amitriptyline is well known among the members for having this effect.

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

Kitten-whiskers profile image
Kitten-whiskers

Good morning Cosseryt, sorry you are having these troubles, do you have issues with your adrenals? Amitriptyline is an unlicensed drug and can have some nasty side effects. On a very mild dose it always made me feel really light headed, dizzy and really groggy with a very dry mouth, as soon as I found out it was unlicensed i took my self of it.

Best wishes

Debs

JanetM profile image
JanetM

Yes, I have put on loads of weight since going on the Amitrypteline. I cannot do without it though, as it definitely helps with sleeping and pain. I am now going through the weight management clinic for possible gastric surgery as my knees and everything else is taking strain too. Can't win with this jolly illness. So glad to have forums like this where you can share and know that what you are experiencing is normal for fibro sufferers. Hope you are able to sort something out. xx

FibroAnnie57 profile image
FibroAnnie57

I too have gained a lot of weight on Amitriptyline. I'm always hungry & craving sweet things. I believe that the extra weight is now causing more pain. Also pushing my blood pressure up! So it's definitely a vicious circle for us all! I need them to get some sleep. Albeit a few hours. It's good to be able to share our feelings on this forum with our fellow fibro sufferers & know there are others who understand what you are going through every single day! Tender hugs to you all. xx

Sgsbhms profile image
Sgsbhms

I've stopped taking Amitriptyline as I found it didn't really help me, I didn't realise I'd put on much weight but have lost 2 stone since stopping taking it

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