Amitriptilyne: Can I have some guidance... - Fibromyalgia Acti...

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Amitriptilyne

Manaus profile image
21 Replies

Can I have some guidance on taking this drug. I am not sure about taking it as it seems onve you start you will not be able to stop. Presently I am not taking anything but have had a bad flare up over the last 2 weeks.

Are the side effects worse than the pain which can sometimes be manageable.

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Manaus profile image
Manaus
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21 Replies
Bananas5 profile image
Bananas5

Amitriptyline is usually given in different strengths for 2 different reasons.

Roughly 75mg upwards is given for depression and under 75 mg to help with pain.

Has your GP suggested you take it?

x

Manaus profile image
Manaus in reply to Bananas5

Not yet. I am going tomorrow to discuss. I just need it for the pain but I dont want to rush into it without considering the oris and cons.

Bananas5 profile image
Bananas5 in reply to Manaus

Well you should be on a lowish dose then. Once it is in your system and working a maintenance dose around 10mg is fine.

If you do decide to take it then want to stop...reducing is straight forward.

x

Manaus profile image
Manaus in reply to Bananas5

Thank you. Have you found it helpful? X

Bananas5 profile image
Bananas5 in reply to Manaus

Yes but a very long time ago!

x

I am on amitriptline. I take 20mg at night. I did try 30g but I started getting side effects. I have found 10mg or 20mg enough for me to help a bit with sleep too.

sexto profile image
sexto

I was on Amitriptyline for a month. On a single dose and taking 2 a day. I could not tolerate them as it was making me feel sick. So I was advised to stop them. You can stop them. But I have had a bad flare up recently and have managed to work through the pain without taking any medication.

Hope you are feeling better now.

Ihatetesco profile image
Ihatetesco

Hi,

I took this but couldn't tolerate it... It made my chronic fatigue worse which is not good when you have three year old twins to look after and gave me suicidal thoughts ... Everything the doctor gave me just made my life worse apart from Prozac.... Im on it now and it has actually helped with the pain and helped with my migraine... Weird that Prozac is not mentioned to drugs that will help list .. I was given it to help with depression initially but noticed that it helps... Everyone is different though.. I am sensitive to drugs.. Prozac is a newer drug and a study showed that it is actually the only anti depressent that shows actual positive results.. My sister is on it as she has lupus of the blood which gives her a lot of pain and she swears by it... I also vape a product from mypainawayuk which I have found very helpful. I also take so many supplements for muscle and tendens that I shake... I have gone from vertually crippled to someone who can now cope. There is hope xx

Manaus profile image
Manaus in reply to Ihatetesco

I am not surprised you are exhausted with 3 year old twins. You must be super mum to deal with this condition and your children.

Ihatetesco profile image
Ihatetesco in reply to Manaus

Yep it helps that I'm amazing 🤣

Shazz01 profile image
Shazz01

My personal experience Is it does nothing for my pains but helps with sleep although my mg has to go up sometimes, suppose my body get used to them, and I didn’t have a problem coming off them when I was taking them years ago, I haven’t found anything to help with pain yet, my sister in law swears by turmeric high strength, she has capsules, I’ve not tried them yet. xx

Manaus profile image
Manaus in reply to Shazz01

I tried turmeric but it upsets my stomach. When the pain is not so bad you think why should I take the drug. I suppose its learning to manage the pain. It is a miserable condition.

Vectron profile image
Vectron

Try Lexepro it’s the best AD for less side effects

Queenielot profile image
Queenielot

I take 75mg at night and have had no side effects whats so ever when do you take them try swapping times about got to remember wer not the same xx

Marielena2 profile image
Marielena2

I have been taking amitryptiline for many years ,first for anxiety and depression, and now it really helps with my pain levels. I have questioned the long term use over the years and have been told it's one of the safest drugs to use. And I really believe that. Yes, you will feel tired when you first start taking it but then you become accustomed and it really helps. I am on a maintanance dose of 10mg or 20mg if I need it. It's worth giving it a try as some of the other drugs have many more side affects. Good luck. And hope this helps.x

Oh_kay profile image
Oh_kay

I slept for about 48 hrs when I started taking this. It was amazing cos I was struggling with sleep. Now it helps with the burning in my hands and feet and I sleep a bit better.

The one thing I noticed was that I was getting a dry mouth, especially in the morning but I just ensure I drink enough fluids and it’s fine

AliMS profile image
AliMS

Hi

I took it for 6 months. No side effects no problem coming off it. Came off it as my gp thought Pregabalin would be more effective.

Midori profile image
Midori

It is an old style antidepressant, with muscle relaxing properties. It is often used to reduce stiffness and aid sleep, but it can be addictive. It can also cause weight gain. You can wean yourself off it, I managed to do so. It can cause daytime drowsiness, so be aware if you drive, it is mainly taken at night, but I found taking it in the early evening worked best, Alcohol is not recommended.

Nipper11 profile image
Nipper11

I used this drug for pain and

it works. Each night I take 20mg which helps me sleep and feel less pain through the night. I would say take this drug for pain because it does help. Hope you fell better soon .

dottielotti profile image
dottielotti

I’m on 20mg I struggle in the morning feel very tired. Don’t really get other side effects off it but everyone is different as Gabapentin wasn’t good for me but I’m still in pain so I don’t know xxx

Elvis2424 profile image
Elvis2424

Hi Manaus.

I take 40mg every night to help with insomnia and my pain. It does work eventually, however the earlier you take it the better! It takes about 3 hours to finally kick in. I’m not sure whether it’s this drug or all the rest I take before bed, but I get really nasty night terrors and have done for a while. The only thing I find with it is that in the morning you still feel tired (the fatigue is horrible anyway) but the earlier you take it; the earlier it kicks in basically!

Hope this works for you.

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