New drug to get me to sleep.

[JacquiThomas999]

After a week of on/off sleeping tablets, they are getting me to try Amitripyline.

Taken my first tonight. I am feeling sleepy, so here's hoping.

Jacqui

[Philip]

The Amitrip, is pretty good , only take it before bed lol or you'll fall asleep on the bus lol. It is a an antidepressant if you take a big dose, it helps me sleep like a log lol.

[Hidden]

I hope you sleep well. It's a good medication in terms of sedation, so you should be able to sleep well. Everything feels worse after lack of sleep, so I hope you have a good night.

[benjijen]

I was given those as well but have been on them before and know that if taken regularly your body gets used to them and you need more. I only take them now after having a few bad nights and find 2-3 work quite well.

[Bookworm55 in reply to benjijen]

Yes I too found that my body got used to them so now only take them occasionally. I did find they gave me a good night's sleep though - with no noticeable side effects......and I' m a poor sleeper. I was first prescribed them 6 years ago, long before I was diagnosed with RA but I understand they can also help with pain,

[helenlw7 in reply to benjijen]

I take amitrypteline - I have taken them for quite a few years and I'm now on two and used to drop off within 10 minutes of getting into bed! For the last three or four weeks I haven't been able to sleep, going to bed about 11 but then often getting up again at about 12.30 when I can't get to sleep for the pain in my shoulders, hips and ankles, and of course the dreadful restless legs. I have an appointment with my GP next week and wonder if he'll increase my dose again because this is happening four or five times a week!

[benjijen in reply to helenlw7]

When I took them before I ended up on 6 a day. Never again. Good luck with your GP perhaps they can prescribe something else.

[helenlw7 in reply to benjijen]

I take dihyrocodeine as a painkiller, and have tried tramadol three times but it gives me really bad headaches. I had a short course of diazepam earlier this year for really bad back pain but it didn't really work. Fortunately I have a really good relationship with my GP so he may up my dose, but you can't keep upping the dose!

[Mhairi54]

They worked a treat for me. Just be careful if you need to drive the next morning as you can feel dopey for ages after you wake up. A good night's sleep can made a world of a difference to how you're feeling. Hoping it works for you.

[Fra22-57]

I hope it really works for you.I have tried it.It did keep me asleep in a way but I still dreamily woke with pain.My problem was it just kept sending me off to sleep again and again after the time I wanted to get up so laying in bed just made pain worse

[Littlemunch]

I recently started taking these. I found myself sleepy in the morning too, so I brought forward the time I took meds by an hour until I found the happy medium. On the whole they have worked well and just the odd bad night.

[JacquiThomas999]

I know that I fell asleep, but woke up again before my hubby came to bed. Fell asleep again, but I don't think it was all night.

Try again tonight.

Jacqui

[Creakywrists]

I was very reluctant to take these but was only sleeping for 2 hours at a time so eventually agreed. I've been on them for 10 months and still only take one (10 mg). I don't fall asleep as quickly as I did, or sleep as long in the morning but if I wake in the night I go back to sleep very quickly and sleep soundly. They've made a huge difference. Long may it last !

[LD1954]

I took Amitriptylene for a long time and it not only made me sleep but also helped with pain, so I hope it works for you too. Take care.

[yotelecom]

Take care with those, I took them for about 18 months, felt very depressed and couldn't do anything, didn't want to do anything, just wanted to sleep, couldn't see any reason to want to be awake. I realised it was these tablets when I read other people taking them had same symptoms, thought it was just me, feel much better now I don't take them, I take Nytol now. Please enjoy the benefits but be aware of the low moods and depression that can creep up on you. X

[JacquiThomas999 in reply to yotelecom]

Can't take Nytol, asthmatic. I know about the side effects I was put on them for ibs years ago and refused to go back on. This is a short dose. I won't be staying on long.

Jacqui

[Simba1992]

LDN is really worth a try for sleeping problems! Gives you deeper better quality sleep. I used to have problems with sleep but since started LDN have not needed any sleeping aid.😊 ldnresearchtrust.org

[car-p]

Had these a few times. You do get a great sleep but I felt groggy the next morning & as I have to drive a fair distance only took them at the weekends.

[nomoreheels]

Hiya Jacqui. I get on well with amitriptyline but it took a little while to sort what time to take my dose. Too early & I'm asleep in the recliner, too late & I'm a bit groggy in the morning. I started on 10mg then 20mg & now on 50mg & that suits me. It was prescribed as a muscle relaxant because OA pain was disrupting my sleep & it's rare now that I don't sleep through til 8am. Another GP (not the one who initiated them) suggested I add a 25mg tablet in the morning to ease my painful neck, it didn't help so I stopped that one but must say I felt fine even taking that dose during the day, shows how differently we all react to a med reading your other replies! Another recently added med is now easing my neck.

I do hope they're working for you Jacqui & you get your timing right! x