Tired and pain really bad.

[Winniepooh1976]

Hi

My Amitripyline is kicking in but so is my pain. Does anyone find it makes pain seem even more intense ? I try distraction and heat patches and Tens, but really fed up x

[misty14]

Hi winniepooh

Sorry to read your having a tough time with pain. What dose of Amitriptyline are you on?. This might be able to be increased. Do you also go to a Pain Clinic?. They offer different ways of treating pain, drugs too that are different from the ones your GP can prescribe. Hope it improves soon. X

[Gigi71]

Yes. I was prescribed Amitripyiline last month, as my back pain was very bad. Apart from making me like a Zombie it made the pain even worse. I lasted 12 days on it. I went back to Naproxen and rubbed Ibelieve on it. At least I can cope better. I do hope you find something that suits you.

[Steve49]

Hi Winniepooh1976.

I'm so sorry for you, I'm currently on Amitriptine 150mg per day.

This is the max dose not sure if it helps my pain though.

Yes distraction works very well.

I use a number off tens which also helps.

I'm currently using/trailing a Medipen.

This seems to be the best one out off all of them.

Steve"

[Hidden]

Hi Winniepoo1976 how long have you been taking it? If not long say a week or two then you have to give it more time to get into your system as it can take upto 6 weeks - if you have been taking it for longer then maybe it is not the right tab for you I would go back and see GP and see what they advise. Take care 😊

[foxglove]

I have been taking Amitriptyline 25mg - 10mg to start -for 9 months, for PHN (pain after shingles) at first it seemed like a miracle and also helped with sleep. For the last few weeks I realised that it was no longer effective and have weaned myself off pain still but no worse than when taking the drug (itch is worse! )...At least the zombie effect is going. At night I take some paracetamol and codeine to help sleep. Even a drowsy type anti-histamine if I just can't sleep. I was pleased to get AMI. at first as pain was un bearable but glad I've got off it. Hope you get relief!

[Winniepooh1976]

Thank you all for replying it is really nice to have people who understand to talk to. I take three amitripyline on a night. Which make me feel hung over the next day relaxed but feeling dazed. They do mean I get some sleep but it feels like a half waking type of sleep, eyes closed but pain just feeling intense and distant ? I have been on them for about a year, before that I was pulling my hair out with tiredness. I have been to pain clinic and they told me about Tens, which I also use. I was referred recently but was too ill with an infection to go. I will try again maybe just see if a can see the pharmacist ? Finding life a struggle dry mouth, excessive sweating, thirsty constantly, mouth ulcers, headaches on top of constant abdominal pain. Thank god for my sense of humour 🙄🙃

[Gigi71 in reply to Winniepooh1976]

You are really going through it. I was dX with lupus/RA 31 years ago, life seemed so bleak then, and like you I have a very upbeat attitude to life. On many drugs, life has it ups and downs. I live alongside it all and get the most out of life when I can. I have a good family and small group of very supportive friends. Sending hugs.

[misty14 in reply to Winniepooh1976]

Hi Winniepooh

It sounds like your getting the side effects of Amitriptyline with only some benefit for pain. I know myself how bad and difficult the dry mouth is to cope with. Some days I can barely speak properly!. It might be worth talking to your GP or the pain clinic about alternatives to try. It's difficult balancing side effects versus benefit and achieving the right balance!. Hope you feel better soon. X

[CtKathleenUSA]

I am so grateful to you for posting this. I've had chronic pain for many years. This past year has been hard. I stopped sleeping around late March bc of the pain. My doctor prescribed 25 mg amitriptyline for sleep. It flattened me. But I figured, at least I'm sleeping... I don't like the wasted feeling it gives me so I started taking half right away. My pain has been so bad my normal pain meds don't provide relief. And the upset stomach is brutal. (I've taken NSAIDS for 30 years and I didn't see the AMI connection.

I just joined this community a few days ago. What a coincidence you posted this info at the exact time I need it! I feel like I've been saved from the torture chamber. Losing sleep is better than what it's been with AMI.

I am unclear tho. My gut says stop taking it ASAP, but someone posted in the thread that it takes time for my body to adjust. I like the antihistamine idea for occasional use, which ones will make you drowsy?

[johnsmith in reply to CtKathleenUSA]

What is AMI?

[Winniepooh1976]

Hi Kathleen 25mg seems like a high dose to start on I started on just 10 then 20 then 30 with a few months gap in between. Yes you do sleep but it isn't,t quality sleep. I try to take the odd night off Amitrpyline and wake feeling refreshed for it. Only do this on good days though so not often. I think the trick is to take the min dosage you need to get sleep, although you should always check with your GP. A hot bath and camomile tea helps as does relaxation exercises, although it takes time to train your body to focus when your pain is so bad. The upset stomach you have I also get heartburn and acid reflux Gaviscon and trying to eat a little often can help this.

[Winniepooh1976]

Hi John Smith I think she meant Amitripyline ?

[AnyaK]

I came off amytriptiline 20 years ago as I didn't like the side effects. I hated the brain fog. I can't remember if it helped the pain or not as I was in so much pain back then.