Amitriptyline or Gabapentin

[Vicci]

Hi all,

The consultant has told me I have fibromyalgia as well as SLE. He told me this is common among people with SLE. He is asking GP to put me on Amitriptyline or Gabapentin. Can anyone advise which is the best please (in their experience please).

Thank you

Vicci x

[AnnNY]

With fibro symptoms it is all individual. Maybe there are statistics somewhere, but for most of us it is hit or miss. Amitryptline helps with sleep, and for some people it helps with pain also. Gabapentin mostly helps with pain. There will really be no way to find out other than trial and error.

[Pipido36 in reply to AnnNY]

Hi, I also have the same SLE and Fibro. My Rheumy suggested Duloxetine which is used to treat depression. He said it helps with Fibro pain and since I started it my pain has been better though at times it's unbearable. By the way I was using amitriptyline before duloxetine but did not get any benefits from it. I think it differs with every individual. Best of luck on making the better choice. Take care xx

[misty14]

Hi Vicci

I am on both Amitriptyline and Gabapentin and find them equally helpful. Amitriptyline is a relaxant, anti depressant and pain reliever taken at night to aid sleep.

Gabapentin is a strong drug effective for nerve pain. You start it on the lowest dose and build up till you get pain relief. I hope you get relief soon, no fun having Lupus and Fibro together!X

[Silvergilt]

In my experience all either of those meds did was make me gain weight. I found zero benefit on them, but then I've told them that before but they keep prescribing it in the hopes it will somehow miraculously start working. But everyone is different so it us worth a go.

[nanaber]

I also have fibro and sle I take 300mg x3 daily of gabapentin it helps a lot. its just that im taking so many meds now I feel like a junkie

[Vicci]

Thank you for your replies. I guess it is a matter of trial and error. I am seeing my gp today so I can discuss with her. Does anyone know if I can still take other painkillers with gabapentin? Nanabar I know what you mean about taking so many meds I am rattling. Thanks again everyone xx

[misty14 in reply to Vicci]

Hi Vicci

Yes you can take other painkillers with Gabapentin , depends which ones. I take paracetamol amongst others!. I hope it went well with your GP. X

[Kedaco]

I have tried both Gabapentin gave me nightmares , Amitriptyline helped me to relax helped with the pain and there for taking them at bedtime was best but the second time I took Amitriptyline I kept waking up like I was hung over room spinning I cant stand that so don't take them anymore.

[onamission]

I take Nortriptaline sister of Amitriptyline I take it for nerve pain however they changed it a few months ago to gabapentin but it made me so ill so back on nortipaline

[Betty1984]

I take gabapentin 200mg a day for neck pain and tingling waiting to see rheumy on 31st July to see if it is lupus

[Betty1984]

Cut down from 400mg and take x2 500mg zapain

[Vicci]

Hi thanks for all your advice. I went to see my gp and she gave me gabapentin as she told me that the amitryptiline counter acted with my epilepsy meds. What was worrying was that she told me that so is the hydroxy but she said because I've been on it since feb it must be ok......fingers crossed. I a going to get script tomorrow for gabapentin. She also gave me antidepressants but I am not sure I want to take them. Sorry to hear you have had awful side effects from both meds. I get terrible nightmares every night so I hope it doesn't get worse. Misty14 doc gave me tramadol with them so I'll give those a try. Betty1964 good luck for your appointment on the 31st I hope you get the answers you want. Onamission I haven't heard of that med but I'll bear it in mind incase these don't help. Thank you everyone x