Having joint pain and swelling and prescribed Amitriptyline

[Sandy1212]

Morning all! I hope you are all okay during lockdown.

I have had joint pain for almost the entirety of the time I was diagnosed. My joints are usually quite puffy. The drs gave me an ultrasound and found no or hardly any inflammation so they don’t think the lupus is attacking my joint so more immunosuppression will work (they did put me on more immunosuppressants but it ended up oversupressing my immune system.

I was put on amitriptyline for PHN and was told that it can also help with joint pain. I just went on 50mg yesterday, I wanted to know has anyone had any experience with this drug for joint pain? And did your joint appear swollen but no marked inflammation?

[Josiah150767]

Hi SandySorry you are having such a hard time. I have been on Amitriptyline for going on 10 yrs. I take it for nerve pain. I’m not aware that it is given for inflammation, but it does work well for the pain side of things.

[Sandy1212 in reply to Josiah150767]

Thanks for sharing Josiah! That’s good to know 😊

[svfarmer]

I’m on Amitriptyline 100mg but I take it as I have insomnia and it’s the only way I can get sleep - for me it dosnt help with joint pain at all but everyone is different - I’m on methotrexate and when really bad steroids also - hope it does help you with the pain xx

[Sandy1212 in reply to svfarmer]

Ah,i get insomnia as well but unfortunately amitriptyline doesn’t help me with that at all currently! Ive only been on it for a few weeks so maybe it’ll help with both soon! Sorry to hear it doesnt help your joint pain! And thank you for posting xx

[svfarmer in reply to Sandy1212]

I find it only works for sleep if you take it 3 hours after you’ve last eaten so I generally have my tea at 5pm then take them at 8pm then I’m ready for sleep between 9.30pm - 10pm maybe worth a try ? Xx

[Sandy1212 in reply to svfarmer]

I will try that thanks! Xx

[Sjorgrenslady]

I couldn’t believe how amitriptyline helped me so quickly ,the pain relief in my joints was wonderful! I guess everyone is different in their response but hope it helps you