Change of medication! Hi wanted to know some views about my meds.

[uzi41]

I have lupus, I have gone up from 150mg to 175mg of azathioprine in the last week. Also 400mg of plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine).

The hospital have also put me on Amitriptyline an antidepressant. This is to help with the chronic pain which isn't going away or getting any less in the last year. Since taking the antidepressant over a week ago only 10mg I have been having the most awful headaches. Have mentioned this to the hospital and they said leave a day in between when taking them. The headaches are continuous. Don't know what to do. Do I persist or stop taking.

[Purpletop]

If the headache is really violent, go to A&E. Otherwise I would call the hospital back and mention that the headache hasn't improved after taking the drug on alternate days. Suggest you stop for 2 weeks to see if the medication is the culprit.

If this is a side effect, though, it is likely that it will go away on its own once the body gets used to it.

[uzi41]

Thanks, I thinking about just stopping the Amitriptyline as I have to take paracetamol 3 times a day, just to manage the headaches. Thanks again

[Hidden]

Hi uzi41, i have been on same dose of meds before. Still am with hydroxy. With the amytripline, I take it every night before bed. It really helps with pain and relaxation. I was told recently to triple at night, as my pain was getting worse. Lots of us take this med for same reasons, not for depression. It does make me sleepy, even just 1 tablet, so I don't take it during the day. If you can tolerate it, it will help you a lot.

[uzi41]

Hi I am willing to take anything that will help with the pain. But theh headaches I have been experiencing are nothing like I have ever had. It's made worse that im at work all day. Thanks letting me know this. X

[MaryF]

Have they tested you for Hughes Syndrome, as a percentage of patients with Lupus also have this.... and still it often gets missed, the blood tests are cheap and easy to do, best to at least rule it out. MaryF x

[Ralphie55]

Hi. I have lupus and I take 20g of hydroxy a day for the last six months I also take amitriptyline for about 15 years now. They don't help very much for sleeping which is why I was given them unless I was to take 75mg a night but my GP said that's too much as I've had two strokes. They don't give me headaches and never have done so maybe your body needs to get use to them. Take the amitriptyline about 2hrs before you go to bed that way you might find they help. Good luck x

[Ralphie55]

Ps I meant 200mg of hydroxy. Lol

[uzi41]

Hi I haven't had any Amitriptyline since Thursday night and today have had a good day. Yes it helps me sleep but never experienced headaches as bad these. Anyway have decided to stop them and maybe give them another try in weeks time. Thanks folks for all your comments. Xx

[vonda]

Sometimes you have to get use to the medicines but don't forget all the other medications your taking may not respond to well with your antidepressants which may causes headaches talk to your doctor about it.

[uzi41]

Thanks Vonda, in order to atleast think straight I had to stop the antidepressants. I couldn't think straight with the pain and had to think about looking after my son. Will email my consultant this week.

Feeling much better today. Thank again. X

[vonda in reply to uzi41]

If I need any questions as well as you...feel free to email me [e-mail] just out your name uzi41...

[uzi41 in reply to vonda]

Thanks. X

[vonda]

You're so welcome... I found out in the last stage so! If there is anything you need to ask that your not sure of I'm here.(just got to remember how to log on to page lol) but I want to know how long you been dealing with this?

[uzi41 in reply to vonda]

Only been taking the antidepressants just over a week. Am also taking azathioprine, hydroxychloroquine and steroids I have been on over a year.

Probably feel worse than I anitially felt a year ago.