Weight gain-Amitriptyline has helped me with my symptoms.

[jay2908]

As some of you may be aware, I am now just after 5 years post. I have to say that it been a difficult 5 years, primarily due to constant weight loss, nausea and wind pain. I had reached the point where I had tried most drugs and diets.

I also unfortunately suffer from pancreatitis making control my blood sugar difficult and having to avoid fatty foods. Along side all of that am I also vegetarian! I have had to be fed by tube a few times over the years when my weight was too low, about 7 stone.

I have been waiting to put this information on this board for a few months, but wanted to wait to see if my weight gain continued, which thankfully it has. The drug is used for treating anxiety, however the dose I take it much smaller than typically given.

I am guessing that the drug works on a number of levels. Firstly I am no longer so anxious about eating enough calories in a day. I can now accept I can have bad days and will delay a snack until I feel my stomach can deal with it. The drug also makes me quite sleepy, so I take it with or after my evening meal, thus I get a good nights sleep. I take 20mg once every evening. I also on occasion when feeling heart burn/reflux take ranitidine 150mg and Antepsin (similar benefits to gaviscon but possibly better with bile reflux).

Diet wise, I now tend to graze throughout the day and always have savoury biscuits or roasted soya beans with me. I will also have small cups of tea or soup through the day to keep digestion moving along. I avoid sugary foods except in small amounts.

I hope that some of the above will help others. Has anyone else found useful tips?

Kind regards,

Jay

[cherrybailey]

Hi Jay, firstly so well done on your progress!!!

I am really interested to see if the amit.... will work for me.

I am 5 years post and not been easy with the eating, sleep etc.

My weight is slight too 6' 9. I have to watch the energy I use as I can loose weight if I over do it.

Do you have part of your stomach? I don't so wonder if it would work for me help me gain weight.

I will try and find out from my hospital, the g.p or chemist would probably not know.

Good Luck keep up the good work.

[jay2908]

Yes I have a 1/3rd left of my stomach, but would say it is the intestines that absorb the majority of the calories. Found out about the drug when researching IBS, as there are similarities in symptoms.

I still need to keep my meals small and eat throughout the day.

Let me know how you get on, I hope it helps.

Jay

[cherrybailey in reply to jay2908]

Thank you Jay, I am going to contact my hospital to see if it would work for me. keep you posted.

Good Luck to you

[Hidden]

That is good news Jay, and I am really glad that you have finally, finally found something that seems to be working for you. I am sure that this will be useful for some others.

[StephanieC]

Hi Jay, that is fantastic news and very useful to know, long may it last!

Best wishes, Stephanie