Amitriptyline

[tweetie07]

i have been prescribed the above medication for pain only had 2 doses and feeling very tearful and weary is this normal do I continue with them or not anyone help please

[Louisiana]

I was prescribed liquid amitriptyline because I don't sleep well at all. I have had it in the house for years, but I only take a couple of ml once a month or so, as even though it does help me have some sleep I always feel a bit dozy the next day and I hate that. It is supposed to be an anti-depressive so I am wondering why you feel down when you take it...are you taking too much or enough??? I was never told it was a painkiller. I would suggest you talk to your doctor or nurse. I do hope you are feeling a bit better now.

[tweetie07 in reply to Louisiana]

Thx only been on it 2days 10mg at night 1st day a bit spaced out 2nd day today really tearful and well spaced out leaving it of for tonight hope to see Dr Monday. Hospital gave it to me for pain in upper stomache as all test results were normal

[Louisiana in reply to tweetie07]

I do hope the doctor will sort things out for you! I'll look for your post after you have seen the doctor

[tweetie07 in reply to Louisiana]

Thx for your help didn't take one last night didn't sleep well but it's not about sleep but hoping for a better day don't feel quite so sluggish but will keep you posted thx again

[Louisiana in reply to tweetie07]

I'll be watching!!!

[celtic2746 in reply to tweetie07]

Tweetie i am on amitriptaline 2 tablets at night i didnt have crying when i was on them but everyone different ! Im also taking quintapine for crying episodes but i was already on that when i started the amitriptlilene i would check with your doctor and see if he can help you more ! Please let me know how you get on. as its good to see how the meds affect others ! (David)

[Calceolaria in reply to Louisiana]

You need to check that your medication does not change its consistency if you have had the same batch in the house for years. It can get stronger or weaker. Heat, sunlight, damp, cold all can affect drugs.

[Louisiana in reply to Calceolaria]

Oh! thank you for that! I never thought about it...and I should check the use by dates as well.....hope you are feeling well.

[frances1]

Was given to me for pain, I would not touch the drug again side effects were terrible, got a yantra mat from amazon helps with pain,sleep ect, good luck in finding what works for you. x

[KymLadybear]

Hi, I have been prescribed Am for many years. It relaxes muscles so if pain is caused that way then it is very beneficial. I take 25 mg at night to help me to sleep and find that I can function ok next day. I have migrain and take higher amount of Am when an attack starts to help me to sleep off the initial attack instead of taking high quantity pain killers that were... well... killing my liver, so is a different way of dealing with migrain pain. However, after taking say 75mg for an migrain attack I am left afterwards feeling very out of sorts, unable to function properly, depressed and tearful and short tempered. Would not work as an antidepressent for me!! I would certainly not take Am twice a day even in the small amounts as I would rather manage the pain with relaxation than be drugged up. Horrible feeling. Am is a long standing cheap antidepressent given for relaxing muscles that cause pain and to anorexics to promote appetite so will give weight gain. I think, in my opinion, that its one of those drugs that you need to take control of yourself, use as best benefits you and not as a hard cosh. I hope this may be of some help.

[Catmag]

Hi,

I was given amytriptaline years ago, but I couldn't function through the daze it left me in. However I recently began taking it again, 10 mg at night for pain.

It took me a couple of months to get used to, but now I am just a little foggy for the first few hours of the day. Everyone reacts differently to the same drug, but one thing I have learnt over the last 13 years of dealing with pain and the meds is: you need to try some meds for a few months, so your body can adjust.

If you are studying or working the fogginess can be really horrible. Speak to your GP and ask about starting at 5mg and working up to the 10mg. I was able to do that, I used a pill cutter. If you do that please be aware that the cut Amytriptaline tastes bitter.

I do hope you find something that works & helps.

Take care.

[Hidden]

stopped taking it - rather put up with lack of sleep and pain than the way that stuff makes me feel - like a flipping ZOMBI !! - bad s**t - AVOID IF POSSIBLE - IMO

[tweetie07 in reply to Hidden]

That's how I feel not taken last night but would rather have no sleep and pain than feel like a zombie and crying for no reason

[Hidden]

I take 2x25mg every night and I can honestly say it has never made me dozy etc the day after its that old chestnut different people react differently to the same drug hope you find something that works for you

[tweetie07 in reply to Hidden]

Thx

[Hidden]

I was told it takes 3- 4 weeks to work I've been on them since May 30mg per night works for me but I do get a hangover effect in the morning

[tweetie07 in reply to Hidden]

Unfortunately 2nights were enough for me I have to be on my guard to look after my husband also help take grandchildren to school

[CarolineC57]

I was prescribed them once for pain (fibromyalgia). Never again! They made me feel like a zombie. The stupid doctor wouldn't sign me off on the sick and told me to keep on working. I ended up crashing my car on the way to work one morning I was so spaced out and tired! I also felt really weepy and depressed (which I wasn't before I took them) as I was so tired and could hardly cope at work.

So, for me, they definitely don't work. I guess some people manage OK with them and some don't. Do speak to your doctor about this - it's probably that they don't suit you.

[tweetie07]

Exactly how I feel suppose they work for some people but not for me

[mikew]

Hello tweetie07

I've been on Amitriptyline for just over a year due to Fibro causing lack of sleep and GRUMPY OLD GIT MOOD, in the short term they worked very well for me, I was started on one tablet moving upto three a night, they helped very much, the only problem I have had was judging when to take them before bed time.

[digglepants]

hiya amitriptyline is not used for pain killing its a common factor its used for anti depresson meds on amitriptyline you will feel light headed ,sick,tired,and feel slugish go back to your doctor and ask for something diffrent may i ask what pain you have and where as diffrent tablets do diffrent things sorry im not much help depending what pain you have they are now useing gabapentine see if he will let you try that hope all goes well

[Calceolaria in reply to digglepants]

Amitriptyline is the gold standard for managing chronic pain. It is not just used as an antidepressant.

[tweetie07]

More like an acid reflux from mid stomache upwards had since Easter lost 2 and a half stone had several tests to no avail so was put on amitriptyline last week only taken for two days not a fair trial but really sluggish and very tearful for no other reason

[CarolineC57 in reply to tweetie07]

It does seem odd that they've put you on amis for acid reflux. I have acid reflux too and the usual treatment for that is lansoprazole or similar. Amis are only really prescribed for fibromyalgia pain (apart from being prescribed for depression, of course). If I were you I'd check this with your doc again. If you've been diagnosed with acid reflux you need the correct treatment for this.

[Ohtobepainfree]

I had AM for depression years ago and felt terrible. Came off them. Recently was prescribed a low dose to take at night for nerve pain which apparently they're also used for. Needless to say I didn't risk taking them!

[Genevieve]

I take 10mg of Amitriptyline daily for neuropathic pain and IBS. Although it says to take the tablet at bedtime, I take it about two hours before that. This means that I'm not dopey or spaced out in the morning and it has worked very well for me. However, I would agree with others that you definitely need to go back to your GP and discuss this fully with him/her. I make a list of symptoms and my concerns before I see the GP and I find that this helps, as I am then more focused and I don't forget anything. I hope that you're soon feeling much better.

[Hidden]

1 read what the packet says don't drive or use tools or a machines don't drink alcohol its printed for a reason

2 car insurance would not be valid if your taking drugs that make you feel sleepy

3 I've taken drugs which all have side effects I don't give up after 2 nights

[tweetie07 in reply to Hidden]

You have me mixed up with another post I didn't drive my car. And yes you do give up after 2 nights if you feel like I did and have a disabled husband to look after and are responsible at times for young grandchildren but thx for your response

[Hidden in reply to tweetie07]

Oh dear I'm sorry please forgive me

[tweetie07 in reply to Hidden]

No problem life to short to hold grudges but thx for your support

[Hidden]

Sorry if my post was blunt I was just stating the facts hope you find something that you can manage without too much side effects

[colleenofminster]

I was prescribed it last Friday for a continuous headache I have had for months now. My gp thought it must be fibromyalgia related. I was on Amitriptyline years ago and did not do well. Also had big weight gain with it. My GPS said he has never heard of thAt side affect (of course doctor I believe you)😕 anyhow as you said it's been an unpleasant feeling taking them. I have been weepy, anxious, exhausted, falling asleep anywhere. I feel afraid of them but am preserving. My headache has not lessened so far, but being nagged by family to persevere.

[Hidden]

I have been on Amitriptyline since 2012, it was increased over periods and now take 75g an hour before bed. When first started it I felt really doped and tired in the morning, but now get no side effects expect a dry mouth. I started to use it after being diagnosed with Fibromyalgi and barely sleeping due to pain, it has been invaluable to me. What I would say is people do not give it enough time to get used to, my Dr explained it can take two weeks but stick with it as worth it. He said so many people give to soon. I'm glad I did as a great medication.

[Purple001 in reply to Hidden]

I’m aware this is an old post but thought it was worth a try since I haven’t been able to find much on Amitriptyline. I was prescribed it for pain and take 30mg a night. I have only started on it, last night was my second night. Both days I haven’t been able to function at all have spent all day and night in bed. I was just wondering did you have this same problem and how long did it take for it to go away?

[Oxyforall in reply to Purple001]

Yes 30mg starting dose is higher than normal. Give it a bit of time and if no better less sedating antidepressants. In the mean time see if you can take 20mg if your Gp agrees.

[Purple001 in reply to Oxyforall]

Hi, thanks for the reply! I was put on 30mg because when I took 10mg I was wide awake all night with hallucinations. I think I’ll give the 30mg another day or two and if it doesn’t improve I’ll try 20. How long did it take for the fatigue to go away for you? Thanks for your help!

[Oxyforall in reply to Purple001]

Well I swapped to it’s sister and am on 100mg. Not much problems at all.

[Tammy7171 in reply to Oxyforall]

Hi! I am on Amitriptyline and don’t like the dry mouth/throat. Could you please tell me which sister med you are on? Do you have this issue on the newer med?

Thanks!