Amitryptiline...

[MaryLou13]

Have I spelt it right? My hubby takes this ( very low dose) every night for hand pain following hypoxic brain injury. Does anyone else take it? What are your experiences? My hubby has had a nerve study done which was OK. Neurologist has said pain is his brain sending the wrong signals. I sometimes wonder if he says his hands are sore when other things/thoughts/emotions are bothering him but he can't say? On the upside in a very random chat tonight he said he remembered that I pulled him off the bed and did CPR when he was poorly. (Obviously wont remember it happening, but it being talked about) This is a breakthrough as his short term memory has been very severely affected! Anyway. Enjoy the rest of the evening. Much love X

[steve55]

marylou its actually used for arthritic pain.

[Kirk5w7]

Hi Marylou, I'm taking amitryptilene for neuropathic pain following my BI. I get pains down both arms into my hands and have done right from the beginning, it's 5 years now and they are still there.

I tried acupuncture which has helped a great deal, the pains at times made me feel like chopping my hands off, not really but you get the picture.

I've only just started the medication, I'm only on 20 mg at present but it's not helping yet. I tried to anage without it but I've given in and giving it a try. At first my balance was badly affected and I can sleep any time, but I'm hoping that these side effects will decrease as my body gets used to it.

In low doses it's commonly used for neuropathic and migraine too. In high doses it's an antidepressant. Ok?

Janet xx

[MaryLou13 in reply to Kirk5w7]

Hubby tells me he wants to chop his hands off too....thank you...it is great knowing we are not alone in all this x

[Blim]

Hi Marylou13

I was on a low dose for constant migraines following abi after bacterial meningitis. It wasn't making a lot of difference. Then I saw a neurologist who upped the dose slowly to 100 mg each night. It did help but knocked me out and also made me very hungry. Hard choice but the migraines were debilitating and the neurologist felt they were making my memory and speech problems worse. Couldn't take them during the day. (Did accidentally took them at breakfast and slept the day away). I also take them once I know I have done everything I need to do for the day. Recently it has been less effective and the dr has added topiramate (topamax) into the mix

I've not tried any alternative medicine so I can't say if there are any other options. I did a brilliant course with Headway on coping with poor memory. My local Headway have groups that help understand and develop strategies to live with a brain injury. I am 5 years post abi so quite a way down the line but still on medication and also having neurophysio for dizziness and balance.

Glad your hubby is still making breakthroughs. I hope he keeps on making progress.

Best wishes Blim

[Guyb]

I wars on it for a few weeks I was a controlled epileptic hadn't had seizures in years then they suddenly started again stopped taking it and seizures stopped hope it doesn't happen to your husband if no history of seizures he should be ok

[peaches2]

Amitriptyline has been a godsend for me! I have never believed in taking any medication, even when poorly but after radiotherapy for a brain tumour I was in screaming pain, it would come on very quickly and grip my whole head to the extent that I could've passed out in pain! I only take half a tablet before bed and touch wood I haven't experienced that pain again since taking the miracle pill! They told me it was nerve pain I was experiencing, I wouldn't be able to live the life I live without that amazing little half a pill a night!

Lovely to hear your husband is improving!

xx

[hazeldjh]

Dear Marylou,

I take Amitriptyline just one 10 mg. It is almost two years since I had an operation for a subdural Heamatoma and have probably been taking Amitriptyline for about a year. Before that I was having awful sleepless nights with head pain and I think it has helped me to get better mainly because I am getting more sleep. The only problem is that I do feel very slightly 'hungover' the next day. I will probably try to go down to half a tablet soon. I have taken 2 in the past when pain was keeping me awake. My GP tells me not to worry about taking it because it is a very safe medication.

Hazel

[lcd8]

I took Amitryptaline for a short time after having a stroke mimic. But it completely knocked me out and made me feel really woozy even the next day. I didn't like the effect so stopped taking it. I am now taking Citalopram which suits me better. I think each person is affected slightly differently by medication. You just have to find the right one for you.

[GT500]

Hi Marylou,

I've been taking Amitryp for about 4.5 years after my aneurysm was coiled. After trying loads of other meds and getting strong side effects, some quite bad some quite funny, (uncontrollable farting) amitryp seems to work pretty well. I get severe pain whenever I lie down due to the change in blood pressure in my head, so, as you can imagine sleeping is quite tricky but the amitryp does help a lot. I've slowly worked up to 30mg and can't take anymore due to the side effects of dozyness, confusion, forgetfulness and some really bizarre sensations in my brain that effect your grasp of reality for a few seconds. I was put on them as they work well on nerve pain which was an unexpected effect for these anti depressants.

I hope this helps.

[iforget]

I was prescribed low dose for neuropathic pain...but unfortunately I am extremely allergic to this drug and it had to be stopped immediately.

[Alibongo60]

Hi Marylou, I was prescribed amitryptiline for headaches and migraine, before my stroke was only on 5mg at night, but have just had it increased to 10mg going up to 15mg this week for head pain, it's given me really bad fuzzy head all week,and only going to take 10 tonight as in work tomorrow, but will persevere as it's got to be better than being in pain, hopefully the fuzzy head won't last long, best wishes love Alice xx

[joben45]

Hi Marylou

My son is on this medication after suffering a head injury during boxing . He started on 10 mg but is to increase by another 10mg every 5-7 days. Long story but his GP didn't read his management plan sent to them by his neuro and he didn't increase his medication so was only on 10 mg for weeks- felt better but pain came back. He is now on 50 mg but neuro has said may need to increase to 70mg -120mg maybe even more, so he is to increase until the pressure and pain stops.He has really improved, still not back to normal but we know it may be a long process. Only side effects he is experiencing is they knock him out, so he takes them at night and is in bed usually by 8.30 ( no fun for a 21 year old ! ) . Can feel a little off the day after but then it subsides.He feels alittle restless and is also eating like a horse . For now this medication is working . Best wishes x

[Lynsey-s in reply to joben45]

Hiya, your post made me want to comment as it is similar to my experience!! I am only 24 and suffered a head injury after a fall at work in December 2016. Neurologist put me on amitriptyline in feb this year, it has improved headaches but they're still very much there. You are so right, it is no fun when you are so young. Late nights are a big no no at present. Hope your son is feeling better x

[joben45 in reply to Lynsey-s]

Hi lynsey, sorry i havnt been on for a while. How are you going ? my son has ended up really ill on this medication( hallucinating) but he ended up on 150 mg ! ( long story but basically gp failed him yet again by not managing his plan) . His neurologist was horrified he was on this amount and has slowly been weaning him off . He is much better but is having a nerve block procedure done on monday . Hope you are recovering well x

[Lynsey-s in reply to joben45]

Hiya!! I’m still very much the same, headaches have never disappeared. Under all sorts of specialists now. Your poor son, it’s a horrible medication. I’m currently weaning myself off of it aswell. Hope your son is sorted ASAP xx