I’ve been prescribed this drug to help with the pain in my feet keeping me awake at night.
has anyone got any tips or experience, long term side effects etc? We take so many drugs I’m just a bit nervous.
Stay warm all you lovely people out there. X
Amitriptyline?: I’ve been prescribed this drug to help... - NRAS
Amitriptyline?
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LesBev
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I've been taking amitriptyline (as a muscle relaxant) for a good few years. The only side effect initially I had was it made me sleepy if I took my nighttime dose too early, even after my introductory dose. I’d fall asleep in the chair, meaning I’d need to rouse myself enough to go to bed, defeating the bonus somnolent side. It took a few goes to get to know the optimum time, not too early, or too late, as it made me more dopey than my normal morning self. As such I don't take it with my other evening meds with my evening meal but later. I'm fine with my morning dose, but it's half mg of my evening one. As that was the only ‘side effect’ it suits me well, does the job it was intended for & doesn’t interact with any of my other 9 or 10 meds.
I hope you find it helps. It can take some a while to get used to it but I’m usually ok with meds so it would have been unusual for me to respond negatively.
thank you, that’s really useful and I need help getting to sleep so fingers crossed it works! Take care. Lesley
You'll probably find it helps the sleep side then. You just need it to work on the reason it was prescribed & you're away!
here’s hoping…..we all know what the 2.30 am blues feel like!
Thank you for replying. Lesley
Hi, I’ve been on it for quite a few years and I take it when I go to bed. It helps me get back to sleep quicker when I wake up in the night with pain, or going to the loo!! I have TJD and the Maxillo consultant said it will help me not grind my teeth at night too, so added bonus there. The only side effect I have is a dry mouth.
Hi like you I really didnt want to take Amitriptyline but it was amazing but made me a bit sleepy - I stopped after 4/5 months and the pain had gone and as yet hasnt come back - Dr told me to stop after a few months to see if pain had gone- It also used for depression so it cheers you up a bit - if the pain comes back I will start to take it again
that’s such good info, thank you. I didn’t know it was possible to stop the pain, I’ve had it for 10 years! Feeling more optimistic now! Best wishes. Lesley
I’m on amitriptyline and found I had to start with a low dose and gradually build it up as when I started on a high dose I couldn’t get out of bed in the morning I was so sleepy. It worked wonders for me. I take it a couple of hours before I go to bed and have had no side effects from it. Good luck, give it a go and let us know how you get on 🤞🏻
thank you, good advice as I’m not great on a morning anyway!
My tablets are 10, the GP said I could go up to 30 if needed so I’ll start low. Take care. Lesley
I should have added my dose, this reminded me! I take 25 mg mornings & 50 mg evenings. I titrated up over months & had a review with my GP every month until we found the most helpful ones.
👍 thank you
I started on 10mg, and didn’t tolerate 20mg well, I just couldn’t shift the drowsiness in the morning on 20mg. 10mg seems to help, but I don’t take it every single day, just when my sleep becomes disrupted again. That said, the rheumatologist advised to take every evening as he said the dose was cumulative.
I was told the same, to keep taking it. I went mad and started on 30 last night in desperation. I took it at 7.30 pm to test and beginners luck, I slept most of the night and just a bit drowsy this morning. I’ll keep at it I think and review in a month
This site is so good for sharing and my love to you all on here!
Didn't suit me at all as I was hullicinating
oh no, I hope you found something that did work.
I did an anti depressant as they work on controlling pain. Low dosage
cheers, stay warm!
yes I’ve taken this Amitriptyline for the nerve pain in my feet, it will help you to relax and sleep. I just don’t take it all the time though.
I take 20mg at night only and it’s really helped me. My back pain and RA was troublesome but this helps me. Don’t stop taking. I did and was only on 10mg then but GP mucked script up and I did not have any for over 3weeks !!!! So had to increase up dose to work. I take about 30-45mins before bedtime. Good luck
so sorry you have so much pain in your feet. I hope you get relief somehow.
thank you, it worked for sleep but not the pain. I hope that comes with time. Take care and wishing you a warm and pain free day too.
i take this every evening about 8.45. It relaxes me and gives me a good night’s sleep…..and helps with pain relief. It can be addictive but from my point of view its quality of life and I am an OAP😉. I know I can wean myself off it, as have done before. You just need to weigh up the pros and cons for your life.
That’s a good philosophy, I tried last night and it worked. Hoorah.
For the pain I found 10mg too little and 20mg made me too sleepy, the doctor then suggested try splitting the tablet with a gadget from the chemist to get 15mg. Some tablets it isn't advised to split but you can with this one.
thank you, I didn’t know that. Take care.
Useful to know you can get a gadget from the chemist to split tablets. I am having to do this all the time and I doubt I get the right dose in the end. Thanks a lot.
I have taken it on and off when required for terrible tingling\ pins and needles ,my tip is it takes ages to work so i take it at least 2 hours before bed. This works for me ! Hope this helps.
I was prescribed this when my shoulder was really bad before a replacement. I was told to take it half an hour before bedtime! The pain went away and I could sleep but for the first week I woke like a zombie 🧟♀️ but the relief was terrific and what I really needed. Was on it for three months then op. Best of luck ☘️
Take Joint Assure Plus Capsules, they will cure any feet problems, check them out first but i am sure they will sort your problem, They will cost you around £10.00 a month. Kind Regards Dave.
Amitriptyline seems to be prescribed to relieve nerve or muscle pain. I was prescribed it initially for RA but found it no earthly use. If for depression, it usually takes three weeks to work. Side effects are a dry mouth while you are taking it. More permanent side effects are that it causes blurred vision. I do not know the percentage of people affected but I do know people who have been left with impaired eyesight permanently after long-term use.
I'm not sure why amitriptyline is on the market. There are far better antidepressants. Seroxat is far better and has now come off patent - it used to be quite expensive. That generally works immediately.
Made me so zonked out I couldn't work. Awful. Read the leaflet carefully. It is primarily an antidepressant, worried me that I would become addicted
what strength are you on ?
I’ve been on it around 12yrs. Initially prior to diagnosis for muscle spasms. I started on 10mg, but eventually had to increase to 25mg. Every 3-6 months I wean off it, to check if I’m still benefiting from it. Usually when I drop back to 12.5mg I start struggling with severe spasms in my beck & back. I have AS. It definitely improves sleep, as an added benefit. I’ve not suffered any side effect, except it adds to the dry mouth I get from several of my meds.
I was on this for years. It was very good although if I took it after 8pm in the evening I found I couldn't wake up properly in the morning. So I used to take it at 6pm and could then manage to get up for work without feeling groggy. It also made me have a deep sleep.Took a few weeks to get into my system and used to take 2 tablets in the evening.
I was not great on it but GP moved me to pregabalin for sleep time and it takes the edge off things so this form of medication can help.
I only use it when I’m really desperate for a nights sleep so one tablet taken an hour before bed works a treat . I find I can have a morning headache when I wake up but not so bad if I drink a good glass of water and have water by my bedside to sip . I’m very reluctant to take any drugs at all , but I find this necessary and very effective.
No personal experience but my friends mum takes them for foot pain after a serious car accident years ago. Great job.
Hi I’ve been in them for about 15 years. Tbh I’m not sure if they do that much 🤷🏻♀️ I take 2 tablets (20 mgs) about 9.30. I have awful problems getting to sleep so don’t think they help make me drowsy. I wish they did. I hope they help you x
I've been on this for years Thee only side affect was that it made me sleepy, it's just takes a wee while to get the right time to take them I take mine between 8.30-9pm and by 11 ish I'm ready for bed, no other side effects I take them separately from my other meds
This medication has been a game changer for me with helping me sleep better. The pain I was getting was keeping me awake most of the night and I was at first reluctant to start it. It really does help with my nerve pain and I tend to get a better nights sleep now. I hope they help you too x
I just had to reply. I was given amitriptyline for post operative pain in a toe. They were supposed to help me sleep and cheer me up. They did neither. I took them for 4 years . I found I was fainting or feeling faint when stressed. I almost lost my driving licence! after fainting at a funeral wake after a very long drive. A &E had to report me to DVLA. I had to be checked out at my local hospital. I was terrified. I couldn’t explain why I was like this, nor could the GP. I looked at the contra indications on the paper with the drug, and it said ‘can cause fainting’! Now no more feeling faint or fainting after I got rid of the horrid things! I go to bed with a frozen wine bottle cooler sleeve over my foot every night. This numbs the swollen toe enough to let me sleep. It doesn’t wet the sheets. Good luck.
thanks for writing. Best wishes, Hilary
Regarding amytripty line I found this from the National Institute of Health:
Amitriptyline has been associated with impaired cardiac contractility, especially when taken in high doses. The hypersensitivity of myocytes may lead to myocardial inflammation, potentially involving the pericardium and presenting with signs and symptoms of myocarditis and pericardial effusion.
I take Nortriptyline 150 mg daily for depression and nerve pain. It works great for me for depression and I think it does work quite well for pain. At one time, I asked the doctor about amitriptyline and he said I should not take it given my family (father and mother) had heart problems. I hope you find something that works for you.
I love the pic of your dog!
Hi I've just been prescribed Nortriptyline for nerve pain down the side of my leg & behind my knee. I gather it's in the same family as Amitryptiline? I have had RA for 35years & now have Osteoarthritis in my knees & hips! Great news...NOT! I've not seen the Orthopaedic clinic yet asxIve been in the waiting list for months. I'm taking Paracetamol & applying Ibroprufen or Deep Freeze gel. I'm on Methotrexate & Abatacept Biologic injections for my RA, but they dont help the Osteoarthritis. It's been very painful & I'm not able to walk far without a walking stick. I've battled the RA so long to stay active & mobile & this has felled me quickly. I broke my right thigh 3 years ago but was able to recover & walk normally again. I'm so flabbered that theres no actual treatment for this Osteoarthritis & it's so painful & debilitating. Most of the pain is from the sciatic nerve apparently, hence the Nortriptyline but I'm worried about taking it & the side effects. I have pain in the other knee & my hips too. My friend with Fibromyalgia said it made her feel like she had a hangover next day! I find it hard enough to keep going & dont get a great nights sleep as it is. I don't want to feel any worse!? Has anyone else taken it & had side effects?
hi, thank you for replying and I really hope there’s some light for you at the end of the pain. Sadly waiting lists are too long.
Try and stay strong and take care. x
hi been on it for years & all ok. For night time pain in hips. Can make me bit lethargic. So I take it before bed. Hope goes well for you’d
Hi cod-chips, thank you for your reply. Yes my hips are sore in bed. I've just bought a mattress topper to take on holiday to Wales, as the holiday cottage beds are inevitably hard!? I'm then fitting it on my daughters spare bed which is also uncomfortable for my hips! I hope the medication works as well for me as it does for you. Take care.
hi I use mattress topper too when away, does help. Also take gabapentin for nerve pain & combination works well with Amitriptyline. Hope toppers working well for you. 😄😄xx
Thank you for replying. I'm a bit worried as my father had a stroke & although I don't have any known heart problems & it's not Amitriptyline, it sounds like the same family drugs?? I'm 69 next month & have had RA since I was 34 & my daughter was 10yrs. I worked full time right up until a few years before 60 then I went part time & then retired at 63yrs old. I was told at onset of RA at 34 that I'd be in a wheelchair in 2 years, but I'm not & dont intend to be. So I will go on fighting to stay active. But at least with RA you get a time of flare & pain in different joints, but when it subsides you go back to normal. But this Osteoarthritis pain & debilitating movement is constant!?? My sympathy goes out to anyone with Osteoarthritis as well as RA. I must say I think we sufferers do suffer with depression too, so I hope yours improves.I'm glad you're dog brings you joy as my cat does for me. Take care.
One problem is 'Amitriptyline' can cause nightmares, my wife uses them and she does dream a lot. They work though.
I took it (for years) when diagnosed with severe RA. Worked well for me. When I got glucoma I had to stop taking it, and I did miss it...it was very comforting for me. Good luck with it!
I have been asked to go back on it for my lower back pain and resulting lack of sleep. Ive been taking Co-codomol for 3 yrs and want off it before I am addicted or it becomes less potent. However, the last time I tried Amitriptyline I had issues. I did get the much needed sleep but the next day felt so weak, dry mouth and lots of visits to loo. Would love a week of undisturbed sleep and pain free back.
• in reply tomingsbeard
I was really ‘trippy’ when I came off co-codamol. Ask your GP/Chemist what to do to minimise effects.
Morning. I take 20mg every day with my evening meal. Always BEFORE 7pm. I’ve been on this for a couple of years now. I sleep like a log and my nerve pain has vanished.
I was prescribed it for my Fibromyalgia but I also have RA.
Good luck!! Can’t remember how long it took to work, but stick with it.
LesBev• in reply to
thank you👍 Lesley
I’ve been on mtx and hydroxyclurine for 5 months and it’s worked on my hands and groin but I still get a lot of pain on feet when walking although it doesn’t keep me awake at night does that drug specifically target the feet
I was prescribed this for three months before my shoulder replacement. It worked very well stopped my anxiety about the op and also pain. Had to take it close to bedtime because after 30 mins I was like a zombie. Good luck ☘️
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