amitriptyline side effects after stopping them

[Black16]

I was on 10mg of amitriptyline for 6 weeks for sciatica. As it’s a low dose I didn’t really ween myself off them for long enough I don’t think. Just over a week. Since I stopped taking them a month ago I have had tingling and twitches in my calves and fingers. Has anybody else encountered this. I have health anxiety so I’m worried it’s something else. Had bloods done at the docs waiting on results

[Cat00]

I've come off Amitriptyline many times but at high doses, 150mg which I would reduce by 10 -20mg a week, so coming off 10mg is quite hard to do very slowly bc it's such a low dose. Biggest sideeffect have had has been not sleeping but to be honest I have so many circulation problems , like Raynauds etc, that I wouldn't notice if I was tingling more than usual. Some people are very sensitive to Amitriptyline though so you could just been one of those people?

[Black16 in reply to Cat00]

Thank you for replying. I do think I am sensitive to most anti depressants. I feel worse on them with terrible side effects and coming off amitriptyline has made me feel dreadful. I took it for sciatica and that has come back and I’ve been left with the tingling and twitches

[Cat00 in reply to Black16]

I did meet someone on this forum many years ago who was so sensitive to Amitriptyline they had to get it in liquid form so they could come off it in 1 - 5 mg amounts, maybe this would be an option for you?

[veggiefan70]

I take 10mgs X3 every night, but if I wean myself off them the pain and aching from Fribromyalgia is so bad that Ive found I cant manage without it. So for you it could be either withdrawal symptoms or your neurological problems kicking back in with a vengeance.

[Black16 in reply to veggiefan70]

Thank you for replying. I did wonder. I took the amitriptyline for sciatica which it really did help with, that has now come back with the tingling and twitching. It must be very challenging for you as you have fibromyalgia and you’re just grateful that something is working

[veggiefan70 in reply to Black16]

I too have episodes of sciatica, I take codeine for that. 15mgs, one before bed after the Amitriptyline and one after breakfast which helps me cope. Its so painful, and I sympathise.

[Black16 in reply to veggiefan70]

It’s so painful isn’t it. Mine is better than it was. I can’t take most tablets as I have kidney issues x

[Purplebluebell]

Hi, I have taken doses as low as 5mgs at night ( two hours before bed) for a long time but as I have aged I need 10mgs at night to cover my pain from fibromyalgia. If I reduce the dose I get shooting leg pains. I hope yours settles. It can take a long time and I had acute sciatica years ago but eventually it calmed down.

[Black16 in reply to Purplebluebell]

Thank you so much. The amitriptyline was working but didn’t like the side effects. I’m glad yours calmed down x

[klr31]

Have you tested iron levels and B12?

[Black16 in reply to klr31]

I have had blood tests to check for those thank you. Just waiting on the results.