Has anyone been prescribed Amitriptyline? I went to see a vestibular ear doctor the other day because I suffer badly with dizziness and headaches he recommended I take these tablets but I’m really worried because I’m at risk of seizures I haven’t had one yet in the 19 weeks since accident and I hope to god I don’t have one in the future but I’m worried this medication will not help with this I didn’t ask the doctor at the time as I was overwhelmed as I had so much to take in and I was on my own at the appointment big mistake as when I got home I totally forgot what he said. Any advice would be helpful please thankyou.
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Braininjurysurvivor
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Amitriptyline is an antidepressant and not an anti-convulsive as you'd take for epilepsy, as far as I'm aware. I think the doctor has prescribed it for your dizziness and headaches only. It is sedating so perhaps it can reduce seizure risk, but I don't really know. It's an old class of antidepressants and not usually prescribed anymore for depression, however it may be prescribed to help with sleep issues or for pain and headaches. I took it for 1 year for head trauma related pain which disappeared after stopping, so it was worth taking. However, it didn't help my daily functioning as it left me feeling even drowsier than normal.
I took Amitriptyline for 20 years with only slight fatigue and weight gain as side effects. But I've never heard of it for use in treatment of seizures.
It's an old tricyclic antidepressant, now superseded by SSRIs, for depression, anxiety, panic disorders and nerve pain. Perhaps your own GP or neurologist should review the situation as an ENT doctor mightn't consider other health issues you may have.
I don't believe the Amitriptyline would cause seizures so no need for panic, and it might well calm you sufficiently to keep them at bay, but your GP will be able to check whether they're compatible with other meds you might be taking and clarify the situation better than anyone here can.
It would be interesting. especially for those who suffer seizures, to hear what he/she has to say. Good luck in getting answers m'dear. Cat x
I would ring up your GP & request a call back so you can discuss your fears as you didnt explain at the time. A GP can back if you request first thing in the morning, then they should call you back mid morning. I know thats the way my practice works it. It will save you having to make a further appointment & will maybe put your mind at rest. I did the same a month ago as I had a problem with light headiness but then a few weeks later, I seen my consultant & diagnosed me with sensory processing disorder. I feel your pain & understand how you're feeling xx
I took 10mg of amitriptyline for a few weeks at night to try and reduce severity of headaches. If you read the leaflet carefully it should say if any problems. If not I would get a telephone consult with Gp to check. I got relief and slept much better. I did feel drugged the following morning. It dampens down everything. I'm extremely sensitive to drugs so decided to stop taking it. Most people taper off fine or if on a low dose just stop. I took 3 weeks to taper off. I hope you get the information you need and it helps you.
I take amotriptyline for headache and dizziness after my stroke it does help with them, if they’ve told you your at risk of a sizure maybe ask about some anti seizure medication I now take levitrivetam (kepra) for epilepsy
I have used amitriptyline for 4 years (nearly 5)since my cvst.
I understand that it may reduce the seizure threshold, but I have remained seizure free and it helps with pain /sleep. I only take 10mg about 7pm. If I haven't taken it by 7.30, I don't, as it makes me feel like a zombie the next day.
I'd ask your doctor to put all the information in clear, easy to understand English in writing to you. That was always possible for me so I could revisit the information any time I had forgotten.
Hi, I was put on Amitriptyline when I was suffering from the pain of shingles on small doses it helps with nerve pain, the doctor told me they are used for duel purpose small doses help with nerve pain larger doses help with depression or anxiety. Hope this helps Liz x🌹
Hi I’ve been on amitriptyline now for just over a year , I used to suffer terribly from headaches after my subarachnoid brain haemorrhage but after taking these tablets my headaches have decreased by about 70% ,
I have been prescribed amitryptyline for pain relief and insomnia. After years of not sleeping properly because of constant headaches I seam to be a lot better. My only problem is remembering to take them!
My dear you are not alone, had happened with me, of forgets thinks + what's been said on vital appointments, and yes I'm also taking the same medicine, once a day, b4 go to sleeps, I had b4 when went to urgently had 2 Brain Aneurysm surgeries, spent more than 2 weeks on hospital, and still have another Aneurysm to treats! ,this medicine, together; "codeine 30mg, also often; "co-codamol, at least 4/6daily, this particularly medicine, has been prescribed to me, to relieves the pressure +agonizes burning pains on my head, daily, has helped me, but we all have different bodies/mechanism, I would strongly advise you to, if you have takes with you, someone's you can trust 100%%,tottaly, and when, if became too unbearable, go to a A&E, recently I went to Charring Cross hospital. Apparently they have 1 of the best numerological team's.
Good luck, but you are doing the best course of precautions and reaching out to others in the same conditions. Have you heard about the 4 smalls books, provided by headway, for free, highly recommend to anyone, fully knowledge of ours conditions +side effects +phycological effects +physical; "horrible fatigue. ..
From what I know and I have been prescribed them as a short term sleeping tablet but they are really an antidepressant.
Thanku so much everyone for your help I saw the surgeon today who done my operations this appointment has helped me a lot he was absolutely brilliant at explaining everything I had a very long list of questions and he answered every single one of them he said it is absolutely fine for me to take these tablets and is also going to prescribe some other tablets which help my brain to figure out day and night because it isn’t doing that at the moment.
I’m struggling emotionally big time I’ve cried so much today I think I could of filled a small bucket with tears this is so hard😢
I’m prescribed 30mg Amitriptyline for joint pain and was prescribed to take at bedtime but if I do I’m so tired the next day so I now take at tea time and feel much better the next day.....
Il make sure I take it early then I’ve been prescribed 10mg for 2 weeks then up it to 30 then max of 40mg I was worried about the feeling of grogginess in the morning so this helps thankyou
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