Amitriptyline for Fibromyalgia

[Thingee]

After several months of slowly lowering my dosages of Gabapentin, Tramadol and Duloxetine I have been put on Amitriptyline. However, I am really not coping with it (started on 10mg and upto 20mg to date). My pain is really bad - but this has been the way all year, probably longer. I'm not sleeping, and when I do I get woken up several times a night in agony. My mood is really low - to the point I am either crying over literally nothing, or wanting to seriously hurt someone. On top of all that I've started getting heartburn (already on Lansoprazole because I produce excess acid) and my tummy is constantly upset despite what I eat and how much or little I eat.

I was told Amitriptyline was proven to be good for fibro pain, but what about the rest? Not that the dose I'm on is alleviating any pain. I cannot get a GP appointment for another week and this is driving me mental - especially as I'm trying not to let the family see how bad I am as I'm sure they get sick of my complaining.

Has anyone got experience with Amitriptyline and can you tell me if it is worth persevering and increasing my dose?

- I was on 60mg Duloxetine, 800mg Gabapentin three times a day, along with 2x 500mg Paracetamol and 2x 50mg Tramadol four times a day, so the fewer amount of tablets is better - plus the pain was still really bad and getting worse on this cocktail, oh and I have Fentanyl 50micrograms/hour transdermal patches, one every 72 hours.

I really am at my wits end and struggling to cope as some days I feel I can do nothing but wallow in my pain and self pity and I absolutely despise being that person.

[AllthatGlitters]

Hi sorry you are having such a hard time. My GP put me on amatryptalyne for pain however it didn’t do a thing for me. I then got nortryptaline and what a difference. Go back to your GP and tell then you would like to try a different anti depressant. I still get pain but I feel this medication helps me xx

[Thingee in reply to AllthatGlitters]

Thanks, I'm hoping my appointment next week will have a positive outcome, it's just nice to know other people's opinions too, especially as I don't know anyone else who has this to talk to about it x

[KateMaguire]

I think you need to go back to your doctor. I can't believe that this change to 20mg of amitriptyline is supposed to replace all of the other drugs so magically! Also, did you come off the other drugs slowly? Maybe ask your doctor to prescribe pregabalin and maybe something else for your pain? Hope you find something that works for you, it's just awful to be left feeling like you do.xx

[Thingee in reply to KateMaguire]

I have spent the best part of this year coming off the other drugs especially as I had been on them for many years and naturally we needed to ensure that I came off each one slowly and one at a time - the side effects from when I'd missed a day in the past were worse than the pain, so I knew from past experience to take my time. Fingers crossed I'll get somewhere soon, it's just frustrating and my mood is driving me more mad than the pain at the moment. x

[Trikki]

Hello Thingee….The one med that I find helps me most is amitriptyline. I take 2 x 25ml about 7.00p.m. Gabapentin did nothing so I came off them. I was given Pregabalin but they made me really depressed, so I came off them. All these changes I did with my GP's knowledge.

I weaned myself off Tramadol (it wasn't easy) The only pain killer I do take is Co-Dydramol and I only take them when I really need them. We all react so differently to meds and I really hope you find something that gives you some relief.

[Thingee in reply to Trikki]

Thanks. It's good to know that someone is having a positive effect with amitriptyline. Maybe I just need to get the dose right. Roll on next Thursday x

[tiggyboo]

It maybe ur withdrawal symptoms from gabapentin tbh, amitriptyline is an anti depressant and muscle relaxant so should just make u sleepy

[Thingee in reply to tiggyboo]

Hi. It isn't due to coming off the other meds. That was done slowly are carefully to avoid the side effects. As I said previously to another member, I had suffered the effects from no taking them before and trust me, I would never come off quickly and allow that to happen again. Sadly, the amitriptyline is doing nothing, and I even feel I'm sleeping worse on it, but that could be simply that the pain is waking me up too often.

[tiggyboo in reply to Thingee]

Hope it gets sorted quick

[Thingee in reply to tiggyboo]

Thank you 😊

[patmackfin]

I am on 10mg at night and 60 mg of Duloxatine/Cymbalta in the morning. These have been life changing for me. the final piece to my puzzle so to speak. I was diagnosed with Pernicious Anemia /B12 deficiency in 2015 after years of pain and after all the loading doses and regular shots of b12 I couldn't believe how much better I was. Better, although not fully well, still with debilitating neck pain sleeplessness and daily headaches ,along with stomach problems. Very long story short. I saw a new Rheumatologist last October who diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia,But because I had a high positive ANA(1:640) he trialed me on Plaquenil for a few months , it did nothing really. Eventually I came off it and started Cymbalta and Amitriptyline(as above). My point is.....HAVE YOU HAVE YOUR B12 CHECKED??? because Lansoprazole can stop you absorbing B12 from food naturally ,and sometimes what we actually have is too low stomach acid. The B12 might be a missing part of your ouzzle, who knows ,Good luck.

[Thingee in reply to patmackfin]

I have read somewhere about the symptoms of lack of B12, and meant to ask my GP to check that when I last had my bloods checked. I didn't realise Lansoprazole prevented absorption and I have been on that for far too many years to count now. I am also sure I've been told that amitriptyline and duloxetine are a good combo for Fibro so I shall discuss this when I have my appointment, as well as asking to have my B12 checked. If nothing else it'll be one less thing to think/worry about. x

[Hidden]

Hi

I hope you start to feel better soon. I'm on nortriptyline, zomorph,oramorph, paracetamol and cuprofen. My consultant is weaning me off citalopram and introducing duloxetine!! Hope it works cos I am in so much pain. Love and hugs to you all Lynne xxxx

[Thingee in reply to Hidden]

The same goes to you Lynne. I guess it's just a matter of finding the right pain relief x

[Hidden in reply to Thingee]

Thank you so much. Please take care. Love and hugs Lynne xxxx