Hi, Newly diagnosed a few months ago & first visit here. I'm having constant pain in my ankles feet & lower legs (also wrists, shoulders & neck) to the point it is waking me up at night now. I really struggle with pain relief as I have IBS so am limited to what I can take. (can't take codeine). GP offered anti depressants which I don't want to go down that route & also offered amitriptyline which i've had before for something else but they made me really groggy in the mornings.
Can anyone offer any advice or help to relieve the pain please I'm getting desperate?
Thank you
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Faxgirl
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Hi @Faxgirl - this is something best discussed with your GP to see if they can find any effective pain relief. Unfortunately it's often a case of 'trial & error' to find something that will at least dampen down the pain, &, as we're all different, what may work for some people will not work for others.
Amitriptyline is actually an antidepressant, but can also help with pain; I can't tolerate it either, but that's because it lowers my already low blood pressure.
Perhaps ask your GP to also consider referring you for physiotherapy/hydrotherapy.
Thank you so much for the reply & all the information. I really appreciate it. I will have a look through everything & hopefully find some help. Feeling a bit more positive already
Hi Faxgirl, I had the same problem with amitriptyline but the groggy feeling does ease over time.... I found taking it a bit earlier at bed time was a huge help.... About 8 pm suited me, a shower/bath before bed and some relaxing stretching and slow rotation of joints does help... But we'll all different, might not work for you, nothing to lose so give it a try xxxx
Hi there, I take amitriptyline but like you found I was groggy in the morning, I experimented with the times I took it. I find that I have to take mine around 18:30 at night and then I can function next day and get the benefit of the rest, still go to bed between 10-11pm . I hope this helps a little.. I also take sertraline and am also on buprenorphine patches, as above spk with GP and maybe get them to refer you to your local pain management clinic.
Looks like I should give the amitripyline another go. Thank you for your input. It really does help getting other peoples opinions that are actually taking it
Hi, I take Amitriptyline early, about 6pm, so don’t feel groggy the next day. Works so well for me and helps me sleep, fingers crossed it does for you too.
I think a whole nights sleep would make all the difference. I just don’t seem to sleep or if I ever do, when I wake up I feel absolutely shattered. Never been like this in my life!
Hi, I've been taking Amitriptyline for years...at first i was more anxious and yes felt tired when having to get up for work. Now, I sleep well and it also helps slow down my bladder which is great for me as have a prolapse. Hope you stick with it..
I’ve been on amitriptyline for a few years now and have found it to be ok if you take it around 7pm, it makes you sleepy around 10pm and helps you sleep. I also have IBS to, I was originally given it for restless leg syndrome and shin splints, doctor says that although it is an antidepressant it’s widely used for pain relief.
ive been taking amitriptyline since 2007 for fibro, 3 at night, doesn't make me too groggy, not sure how well it works though, still sore, but it does keep migraine in check.
I used to take it for migraines years ago & it used to make me groggy in a morning. I am thinking of trying it again though as the migraines have got worse since menopause hit too. Thank you for your help
Hi there, i take Nefopam for the pain which helps a lot, although my legs are starting to get worse so taking more than i was. I take amitriptyline between 7.30 and 8 at night to help me sleep better as like you the pains wake me up and its hard to get comfy. I hope this helps you
You should discuss it further with your GP but also not rule out things becasue they could be used for ddepression the doses are i belive x20 lower for fibro
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