Amitriptyline for pain relief

[Lizzie1972]

Is anyone having successful pain relief on 10mg / day?

[plainchocolate]

Hi I take Nortriptyline for pain. It was prescribed by the Dental Hospital for TMD pain. It does seem to help for all my other pain though.

[Binky68 in reply to plainchocolate]

Hi plain chocolate , I’ve been advised to get amytriptylrne from my gp by dental hospital in Manchester for TMj pain. Do you know the difference between the two? I was warned of awful side effects. I don’t have a diagnosis of fibromyalgia but had cfs/me 28 years ago and you never truly recover. Is the tmj linked ??

My face aches all the time !

[plainchocolate in reply to Binky68]

I didnt get on with Amitriptyline I have got mouth dryness and they made it worse. The dental hospital said Nortriptyline did not have as many side affects. I take them for TMD also Restless Legs, Plus other pain. They seem to work.

[Scarlett7 in reply to plainchocolate]

nor me. amongst all antidepressants ive tried Amitriptyline was one of the worst. x

[Lizzie1972 in reply to Scarlett7]

I am using as pain relief not antidepressant so maybe it will work for me. Thanks

[KasJas in reply to Lizzie1972]

I was prescribed amitriptyline for pain relief and it was horrendous. I was taken off it as it made me depressed and anxious.

I am now on Escitalopram for the depression but only over-the-counter pain relief. Pregabalin was recommended by my rheumatologist and i am considering that, but concerned about possible weight gain.

[Robbie138 in reply to Binky68]

Hi Hedgehog1968

When I first read your reply I thought wow plain chocolate that sounds good if it helps 🤪 brain fog to say the least. ( I was looking forward to stuffing myself with plainchocolate ) 🤣😂.

[Binky68 in reply to Robbie138]

If only !! I’m also on the weight loss page!!

[Degada in reply to Robbie138]

Lol. I thought the exact same thing...lol. I know it is incorrect to say both exact and same...but it worked for me in this instance.

[Hidden in reply to Binky68]

I do believe teeth and jaw pain come along side fibro- I grind and I clench a lot but I also have Sjorgrens which i really believe started during taking amitrip, they really do dry up your mouth, nose and ears, to keep your mouth moist I but pronamel mouthwash which has an oily base, isnt harsh and keeps moisture for a while, I carry some in a small spray bottle in my bag.

[Binky68]

Sorry Lizzie , I’ve not started it yet as di Verne’s about the dry mouth etc

[Lizzie1972 in reply to Binky68]

It’s ok I am on day two so let’s hope it suits and helps me. 😁

[Robbie138]

Hi I take 75mg at night 6:30 pm as if I take them at bed time I would feel hungover the rest of the following day. The dryness in my mouth is dreadful I drink plenty ( not alcoholic drinks lol) I am still in pain but think I would probably be worse if I didn’t take them.

[Hidden]

Bit of dry mouth here to I'm on 75mg to

[Peanut585]

Hi, I’m on 50mg for helping with the pains. It helps me but I’m not on Duloxetine too. Plus other tablets. Hope they help you but everyone is different x

[Cakeygirl]

I take 50mg at night, sometimesI sleep for about 4 hours. But apart from that they do nothing for me at all. God and the dry mouth is awful.

[Callo56]

Hi Lizzie1972. My GP started me on 10mg Amitriptyline which didn't really do much. He has gradually increased the dose to 75mg (50mg and 25mg tablets) which keeps the pain more or less under control. I recently ran out of the 25mg while I was staying with my mum, (who is 84 and lives about 50miles away) following a hip replacement. Almost straight away the pain in my legs, hips and lower back returned. I managed to get a prescription for the 25mg tablets and within 2 or three days I was back to normal - just a few niggles here and there and a dry mouth but I can live with that.

[Lizzie1972 in reply to Callo56]

Thanks for the reply I am pleased it works for you and hopefully it will for me although my doctor was honest in that it doesn’t work for everyone. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

[Horsesgalore]

I tried amitriptyline and it was great for pain and sleep, but the hangover effects the next day were terrible and I was struggling to drive or work. I now take nortriptyline instead which is so much better, far fewer hangover effects. I also make sure I always take it 12 hours before I need to get up.

[Lizzie1972 in reply to Horsesgalore]

I will bear this in mind if no joy with amitriptyline.

[Heliboy911]

Just had mine stopped as it clashes with my anti depressant meds

[Hidden]

Not really sure why you think amitrip will relieve pain? they are anti depsressants that make you sleep, part of fibro is sleep loss.. Has your doctor not prescribed conventional pain releif?? Maybe ask for some co-codamol 30/500 or buy the lower dose of 8/500 from local pharmacy,, try to avoid having gabapentin or pregabalin if you can they are not for everyone.

[jetgirl in reply to Hidden]

I think the idea is that ami may relax you, and therefore more relaxed means less muscle tension and less pain....at least that is what my GP told me!! Many antidepressants help with fatigue and pain for this reason. However I tried it for 3 weeks (they won't refer me for any help with fibro unless I try this first) but it made my life hell - very very tired, could barely function, terrible mood because I was sleepy and overtired and it was therefore very difficult to carry out the tasks of daily living.

[Hidden in reply to jetgirl]

Yes many years ago I was made to go thru that routine, amitrip, increase the dose, etc etc,,It has become protocol for doctors to go thru a sequence of treatments BEFORE referrring a patient to any consultants,, nhs improvements??? naaa a pile of rubbish.. Time Wasters?? yes the drunks and drug overdosers seem to get priority where I live, I know of elderleys who have been taken to the City hospital because A&E is full to bursting at weekends with stab wounds, gun shot wounds, fights and brawls..... it seems every day news now.. you are right that amitrip does help to relax you but for some people the art of relaxing and go into a collapsed stage, we are not all the same at handling medicines given to us. Amitrip is a cheap way of trying to treat fibro its a cruel way, Lady Gaga didnt get treated with way!!!

[Mdaisy in reply to Hidden]

NHS is free at the point of entry for everyone unfortunately the anti-social behaviour is a state of society and a wider issue. Some people use Alcohol or drugs as a crutch in their life and it can easily become an addition. It could be due to a trauma or depression and then the addition can be a pattern that they cannot get out of and they need professional help. I don't think we can comment on them as we haven't walked their shoes and they do seem to take up time in A&E but again if the funding on Mental Health or Additional support is cut then this is bound to happen.

As above I think we'll have to disagree about the use of Amitriptyline as it is often given 1st for Fibro pain and some people do find it helpful. Lady Gaga well as we know she will be paying for treatment a luxury many of us here do not have so we cannot compare our treatment to hers but it is good that some of these well known people are raising awareness.

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee in reply to Hidden]

Hidden - sorry but your clearly wrong on this. Amitriptyline is clinically proven to help pain. Helps with migraines as well that only found out recently.

What is Amitriptyline and what is it used for?

Amitriptyline is used to treat many types of persistent pain. It is especially good for nerve pain, such as burning, shooting or stabbing pain and for pain that keeps you awake at night. Amitriptyline belongs to the group of medicines called tricyclic anti-depressants that are also used to treat depression. The dose of amitriptyline needed for pain relief is usually lower than that prescribed for depression.

You may notice that information from the manufacturer does not mention pain; however amitriptyline has been used to treat pain for many years. It is an unlicensed medication prescribed for the management of neuropathic pain. Amitriptyline works by increasing the amount of specific nerve transmitters in the nervous system, reducing pain messages arriving in the brain.

hey.nhs.uk/patient-leaflet/...

[317Chapin in reply to desquinn]

I agree. I say with my med doctor today to review prescription prior to putting me Amitriptyline. We agreed on this drug together because of insomnia issues as well as chronic neck and back problems. There has been great success with many in the pain relief department. Many drugs have dual purposes. Just because it’s an antidepressant does not mean it can’t be used as a non-addictive pain medication, once studies proved this. The description on my bottle indicated it’s for insomnia and neuropathic pain.

[Mdaisy in reply to Hidden]

Hello NG I am not sure why you say Amitriptyline is not good for pain relief as see this quote from an NHS link given below;

Amitriptyline is a medicine used to treat pain.

It's especially good for nerve pain such as back pain and neuralgia.

nhs.uk/medicines/amitriptyl...

Some people also find Gabapentin and Pregabalin helpful and there are recommended for Fibro pain. I understand you have your own personal opinions on it and also didn't find it helped your pain but it may help others, so I don't think it should be avoided.

As we always say here what works for one may not work for another

Hope you're well

Emma

[Lizzie1972 in reply to Mdaisy]

I thought the same too as obviously I have researched the product before putting in my body!

[Hidden in reply to Mdaisy]

I think I did say its not evryone, ! amitrip is an anti depressant and comes under that category in the BNF, Gabapent and pregab are anti convulsants first and foremost but have been found to rleive pain in othersd, they DO rleive pain after a seizure, I know I was once eplileptic and lucky to have out grown it,,,its cruel way of trying to treat fibro, it seems these methods are the sequence a doctor has been instructed to try out first before referring for a proper diagnosis...People on here are intelligent enough to make up their own minds what suits and what doesnt and to ask for any alternatives if some of us can offer this help.

[Mdaisy in reply to Hidden]

Many medications are listed under categories in the BNF but have other uses as we both know and Amitriptyline is one of them. I wasn't being critical I just wanted the members to know it can be given for pain as we like everyone to be informed. Members are definitely able to make their own decisions and we promote that but also like to encourage informed decisions, so just wanted to add that some find it helpful for pain even though they are classed as an anti-depressant.

[Lizzie1972 in reply to Mdaisy]

I have no depression or sleep issues just pain and that’s why I have been prescribed the lowest dose. 😁

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee in reply to Hidden]

its not cruel to provide relief to people that are suffering using meds that have been proven to give therapeutic relief!!!! Indeed it would be sick to withhold working treatments.

This is complicated by the fact that not all meds work for all people but lets not throw the baby out with the bathwater.

[Horsesgalore in reply to Mdaisy]

I was prescribed it to help ease nerve pain with the secondary benefit of helping sleep, I was initially given it when I had severe nerve pain due to post herpetic neuralgia after shingles, but now find it helps with the nerve pain I get from the fibro.

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee in reply to Mdaisy]

sorry Mdaisy I see you have covered it.

Other thing I missed off my post was that below 50mg amitriptyline is used for pain and aiding sleep. Over 100mg it is definitely for depression. In between it is a bit grey.

however it is not unusual for doctors to prescribe to help both pain and depression if it appears relevant on the individual case.

[Lizzie1972 in reply to desquinn]

Absolutely how the doctors described it to me and hence why my original question was relative to pain relief. 😁

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee in reply to Lizzie1972]

you could be looking at a month before the benefits are felt.

[Punkypurple]

Amitriptyline has never done anything for the fibromyalgia pain. For me. It may work for you.

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee]

that's the multi study cochrane review results and while there were studies there were not enough but it was balanced against the "years of successful treatment" of people that have taken it.

[cefnonn1]

I have been taking Dosulepin? for 18 years for panic and depression. They come in the same group as amitriptyline so I have always assumed they are the same under different name. Years ago i was taking 225mg and now only take 10mg. They do help me sleep with my fibro but not always. I can't tell about pain relief as I was aready taking them when my fibro started. I am always in pain sometimes worse than others. I have often wondered what would happen if I stopped them but I don't want to take that chance. I think if something works for you and is not doing any harm stick with it. If you are new to this med it can take a while to get into your system. I do find though that it can make you feel a bit light headed vfirst thing in the morning. Take care

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee in reply to cefnonn1]

An american multi study review of fibro meds saw a 25 - 40% efficacy range for a the majority of fibro meds, This is in line with that.

[Robbie138 in reply to cefnonn1]

hi cefnonn, I would advise never stop taking your meds as the withdrawal is horrendous.

With all antidepressants you have to cut down slowly, I think with all meds out there some help and some don't it's just a game of trial and error (not great I know) I also suffer a really sore tongue with the dryness in my mouth. The thing with Amitriptyline is you do have to take them a few hours before bed ( then again, maybe not, its about what works for you) but if I take them later in the evening I feel like I have a tight band round my head in the morning. It would be good to see who takes them, what dosage and at what time, and side effects. As we all know and say what works for one does'nt work for others.

[Lizzie1972]

Thanks for all the helpful comments

[Sarahvit]

Nope 100 or 150mg? I don’t remember I think 🤔 I’m taking 150mg at night....or 100mg? Oh I don’t remember it is the orange round pills. I don’t ever recall ever being only on 10mg of Amitriptyline. I need to set up my med trays and look. I have had this for 26yrs but no the amitriptyline alone doesn’t reduce the pain for me. It may a little but I have been on it for 24yrs now. 🤷🏼‍♀️😊💕🦋🌻🌿💜🤗

[deezee]

Hi Lizzie I have been taking Amitriptyline for over 2 years. I take 75 mg and they help me a lot

[Lizzie1972 in reply to deezee]

So is this helping you with pain relief? As that’s my problem. 😀

[Fenbiker]

Hi Lizzie I had initial success where it helped my muscles relax so I could get sleep at night but like all drugs my body has got used to the dose so not quite so effective now.

[Puglady61]

hi, yes I take amitriptyline ,10mg, but at 7pm evenings ,this helps me with pain at night so at least I get a good night sleep, never taken them through the day as tired enough! X

[Jamie1965]

Hi lizzie1972 yep I was the same took straight off it I have a combo of meds now every time my hubby goes to the chemist for my prescription comes back with 2 carriers full hate all the meds. I was put on deluxitine and gabapen by the hospital this made a difference at first but the doses have been increased to max over the last 2 years so have to have oral morphine dyhrocodine and diazepam as well now still have pain everyday even though the pills make me very sleepy I can’t sleep not good at all. I watched a film today called down sizing where they make people a few cms high to help on world recourses the opening line was how far they have come they can make people 12 cm high but they cannot cure fibromyalgia it made me laugh but at least they did show how much pain the lady was in one day they may put some money into research that will help all us who suffer with this debilitating illness