Amytriptilene alternatives

[Maggsie]

Hi All, I was prescribed Amytriptilene a few months ago to help with nerve pain. It's been good in terms of its helped me to sleep and reduced the neuropathy symptoms but, and this is a big but, I have gained weight since starting this drug and I know that's not good for my joints. I have always managed to keep my weight pretty stable but even further reducing my calorie intake has made no difference. Does anyone have any experience of any alternatives to Amytriptilene (medicinal or natural) that might help control the nerve pain and help me get some sleep?

[JulezH]

I think gabapentin or pregabalin are alternatives

[Maggsie]

Thanks, I'll ask the GP.

[FRreedman]

Nortriptyline is a substitute for people who can't take the side effects of Amitriptyline.

[Gigi71]

I am on Gabapentin, and have put on weigh, can’t budge it. Both Pregabalin and gabapentin have weight increase as a side effect. X

[nomoreheels]

Just asking to be sure but are you definitely convinced it's the amitriptyline that's caused the weight gain? I do know it's a possible side effect but as you also relatively recently started prednisolone you're positive it can’t also be attributed to that, or the two combined? I appreciate that you know your own body but it could be that the weight gain had started & just bumped up since starting amitriptyline. It would be a shame if the amitriptyline is helping your neurological symptoms & it's being blamed in effect when it may only be a part of the problem if you get me.

Another thought, you've not reduced your exercise when you started putting weight on, sometime we lose the incentive when feeling less like ourselves.

Apols if you've considered this, ignore if you have. 😏

[Maggsie in reply to nomoreheels]

Thanks for the response, I did have a short course of pred which ended 5 weeks ago and I put my weight gain down to that initially, (which is very unusual for me as I've never gained weight before on pred). However, this feels different. It might sound weird but my body feels 'full up' . I've maintained a steady weight for the last 6 years since starting the 5:2 diet. I've kept my exercise at the same level and reduced my calorie intake even more but I can't seem to shift this. It's making me miserable and totally anti social. I'm going to try taking the amytriptilene every other night or even half a tablet a night just to see if it makes any difference. Maybe I'm clutching at straws but I'll let you know how it goes.

[nomoreheels in reply to Maggsie]

Yes, you do know your own body. One thing that bothers me a bit is you saying you're going to try taking your amitriptyline every other might. Have you had the ok from the prescriber to do this? You may know that when starting it it's titred up, similarly when stopping it it has to be titred down. If you're not taking a regular daily dose (even though you're taking it at night!) you may start to have withdrawal effects, you are depriving your body of one daily dose every other day. Please ask the original prescriber if you've decided yourself to try alternate nights. Better to be safe than sorry. 😉

[Maggsie in reply to nomoreheels]

OK. I'll check with my GP although I'm only on 10mg a day so don't think I can titer down from that. Thaks why I thought I might go to half a tablet

[Hidden]

Interesting at it is part of my pill diet and I am down 1.5 kg in nine months but am only eating home grown vegetables and a lot more fruit.

[notsochunky]

I have been meaning to ask about this. I have been taking 10mg for two months. It really helps me sleep through the night, and with the nerve pain, but I have put on a stone in that time. As soon as I take it around 7/8 o'clock I get the munchies really bad. A bit like in the old days when I had been out drinking and then needed fish and chips or pizza . I can't wait for my hubby to go to bed so I can raid the cupboards and fridge. Now I realise what might be the cause, I have started to go to bed the same time as him to stop the temptation. I lie awake at night now thinking about 🍪🍔🍟🍗🍰🍩

[Bryu]

Try Alpha Lipoic acid 600mg dose up to twice per day and Benfotiamine 300mg once per day. No prescription required and available on Amazon. Has helped me a lot over the last 16 weeks.

[Ninaseven]

When I was on that drug I also gained weight. I’m on Lyrica now but just for six weeks after back surgery. I also think this makes u gain weight because part of my PT is to walk 5k a day and I have gained weight. I’m not over eating in fact I’m eating less because I am in pain and get nauseous. So I think these type of drugs cause some people to gain weight. Good luck. 🤞🤞

[MissMinto]

Have you tried CBD oil? It might just do the trick.

[Maggsie in reply to MissMinto]

Have got some so I tried it last night. Didn't work as well as I'd hoped but I will persevere

[MissMinto in reply to Maggsie]

I think it makes a difference which strength you're using.

The stuff you get in Holland & Barrett is a low-dose entry level kind of potency but you can get stronger stuff if you shop around online. Some sellers are even selling flavoured ones too as the taste is so disgusting!

Maybe just try taking it throughout the day as well as at night if you're flaring...you might get more relief and there's no danger of zonking out.

[Maggsie in reply to MissMinto]

I get the original alternative blue liquid. Use a couple of drops at night. I've also got some capsules they sent me as a freebie but not tried them yet. Im not really sure how to take them as they never come with instructions

[Maggsie]

I get the original alternative blue liquid. Use a couple of drops at night. I've also got some capsules they sent me as a freebie but not tried them yet. I might just have a go althpu ghh they don't come with any instructions on dosage etc.

[medway-lady]

I take Pregabalin for post shingles neuropathic pain. It really used to hurt weight gain who cares just stop the pain was my cry to the GP. I spent 3 nights in hospital with Shingles and am now on life long anti virals. I was given pregabalin as it prevents the brain from getting the message that this hurts ! and it works well. I think probably more expensive than Amyatriptine but not certain. It has not made me put on weight though but does make me tired.