How do I deal with serious constipation when taking amitryptaline?

[patandjohn]

Have had migraine for over 40 years. Have been on 20 mg per day amitryptaline for about a month and it certainly helps with the headaches. I can cope with the constant drowsiness and the thirst, but the constipation is such a serious problem, I am beginning to think I will have to stop taking it. I have LOADS of fibre, fruit, dates and water (and, at the moment, Senokot) - all to no avail! Can anyone help, PLEASE?

[knowles8586]

maybe ask for a smaller dose

[patandjohn]

Less than 20mg?

[Juliapester3]

Have you tried either walking,exercise or yoga they all help to get things moving so to speak! Less salt and more fluid. I find apples work for me as well tho sounds like you may need more than one! Good luck

[patandjohn]

Thanks for replies!

[Hidden]

Have you tried taking Magnesium which is used for migraine prevention but can have laxative properties as well. Of course under your doctors guidance. I have lived with constipation & drinking water & more water is very important. Try & avoid caffeine as that dehydrates. If you wanted to try Magnesium make sure you buy the Citrate or Chelated forms which will be absorbed more readily into the blood & is not solely going to end up in the toilet. If you are constipated take the highest dose ie. 600mg for as long as it takes & it should give you the result you are looking for. If you don't want to take Magnesium daily then my surgeon recommends taking a spoonful of Epsom salts mixed with water until it dissolves & squash to swallow it down with. Stay near the toilet & hey presto you should go in a few hours as long as you drink loads. If not repeat the process. This is not habit forming like most laxatives & doesn't cause me any tummy ache. If you would like anymore info on any of this let me know I'm happy to answer your questions.

[patandjohn]

Thanks Karryon - Magnesium definitely seems worth a try! So grateful you took the time!

[Hidden]

If you speak to your Pharmacist when you purchase some Magnesium to choose the best type for your needs. Either a kind for laxative effect temporarily or a kind for Migraine prevention. I'm not sure if it will work fast enough for your current situation but can help long term to prevent further problems.

Epsom Salts is also a form of Magnesium but is absorbed in the intestines. Epsom Salts will pull water into your bowel & hence the desired effect. That is cheap & effective for the immediate problem. Alternatively ask the Chemist for Osmotic laxatives as they draw water into your intestines & as long as you drink the liquid they will give you relief. Drink plenty afterwards as well to replace what you have lost.The Magnesium I take is Citrate form which is supposed to 99% be absorbed into the blood stream & not into the intestines. I was wanting it for migraine prevention & not a laxative but ultimately I've killed 2 birds with one stone. I have to adjust the tablets if my bowel gets too over active. This can give you stomach ache if you take too much. You will figure this out yourself with how your body reacts to it. The Chemist can also recommend a tablet form of something that works like Epsom Salts.

I'm over in Australia so can't recommend brands & so forth to you. Also a good idea is to Google Magnesium & you will see what kinds people take for laxative properties. Good luck.

[Paulacg]

It will improve with time, as will the dry mouth.

[laurak82]

Hi..I too had issues with amitripylines side effects. Unfortunately that class of drug has many side effects. Can you dose reduce to 10mg? I would suggest being on the lowest dose possible that offers you the most therapeutic benefits.

What senna dose do u take? U can take 1-2 tablets per day as per the instructions however that can b increased up to 3 if needed. Senna is a stimulant laxative so will increase bowel motility, however you probably need to add in an osmotic laxative to draw water into the bowel to make the stools softer. U could take sodium docusette tablets with the senna or add in lactulose. Or if that fails u may need to try laxido which is a stronger dual action laxative. I'm a nurse prescriber so use these medicines routinely in my practice. Hope this helps.

[laurak82]

Just to add laxido is prescription only however lactulose and sodium docusette can be purchased from the pharmacy.

[mazzzy]

I was on Amitrypyline, 20mg, and experienced the exact same symptoms as you. The only thing that helped me was a daily dose of flax seed or linseed. I bought the seeds and ground them myself but you can buy them ready ground. A tablespoon or two on my breakfast every day was all that was needed, it may take a couple of days to work, but I never had constipation problems again. After 2 years on Amitrypyline I found it was no longer working and the migraines returned, but I still take the flax seed.

[stara]

I agree try asking your doctor for laxido sachets - its fairly new and doctors may not know it but either google it and print page or get them to look it up - its the best one I have now come across and can use with Senakot. If that does not work then definitely rethink your dose!

[Cubby2013]

Magnesium is good. but also try mirolax, not a stimulant laxitive, but does work. I also have constipation from amitryptline, Dropping dose not worth the consequences. It is a good drug for headaches, unfortunately constipation comes with it. Use mirolax daily.

[Moon_Struck]

If you want to take something natural, as opposed to putting to putting more chemicals into your body, maybe give Chia Seeds a try.

Soak 2 tablespoons in a large glass of water for about 20 minutes until they expand - tasteless and okay to drink. Good for constipation and preventing diverticulitis.

I've suffered with lifelong constipation, Chia Seeds work for me. However I do take other stuff too, ie. prunes, ground flaxseed, fish oil.

Try googling "Chia Seeds Constipation".