Amitriptyline

[foxglove]

I am on my third attempt to wean off Ami.. - bit by bit. If anyone else has tried this would they kindly give any tips and also idea of hoe long it takes? Thanks

[Bananas5]

Are you doing this under GP supervision?

What strength are you on and how did you fail the first 2 attempts

x

[foxglove in reply to Bananas5]

On my own, think one would have to be at death's door to get GP supervision where we are. On 25mg for shingles after pain not really doing much for the pain now but I get a wonderful sleep .. As a lifelong insomniac this is a miracle. I didn't exactly FAIL but succumbed and went back on for the sleep. had my annual meds. review and told dr. that I was trying to phase ami. out and she told me to do so gradually, which of course makes sense, but sometimes I just like to" get things done" - I am NOT patient. Will just see how it goes ...don't want to be a slave!!!

[Bananas5 in reply to foxglove]

I didn't mean fail...couldn't think of the words I wanted. Sorry.

You will probably know that under about 50 squiggles a day Amitriptyline is a muscle relaxant. Over that dose it is an anti depressant. Helps you to sleep in large enough dose.

The best way to reduce with lesser side effects is 5 squiggles a day and stay on that for about 2 weeks. If you feel OK then another 5. If you feel a bit off then back up to last dose for another week then try again.

It really is better to do it this slowly.

Coming off any drug too fast can be dangerous and no one recommends cold turkey. You have to be a little patient and you certainly won't be a slave.

You'll do it

x

[RAYJAYC in reply to foxglove]

If it's helping you sleep, why do you want to come off it? If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Just wondering....

RJC x

[foxglove in reply to RAYJAYC]

Yes, I wonder about that too!!!

[foxglove in reply to RAYJAYC]

p.s. Just don't think I want to be dependent, though I don't know why.

[RAYJAYC in reply to foxglove]

If they're not causing any unmanageable side effects at the moment then just for your sanity & some sleep, there's no reason to come off them! Your GP will tell you when he/she feels it's time to wean off (if ever!) so keep taking them whilst they're doing something! 😊

RJC x

[foxglove in reply to RAYJAYC]

Thanks - "Will keep taking the tablets" meantime

[foxglove in reply to foxglove]

Forgot to say that I am having nightmares which kinf of cancels out the sleep effect as I am frightened to try to go back to sleep. Also unable to cry... Because of dry eyes?

[RAYJAYC in reply to foxglove]

Unable to cry physically or psychologically?

RJC x

[foxglove in reply to RAYJAYC]

Both.

[trixiesmam in reply to RAYJAYC]

.they can cause heart problems i was taken off 75 cold turkey after having pacemaker fitted didnt even tell me why or anything

[RAYJAYC in reply to trixiesmam]

All meds have side effects so if we didn't take them because they "can cause......." we'd never take anything. Have you seen the arm long list of possible side effects of Paracetamol?? It's enough to make your eyes water but they can be bought otc so unless a specific drug has a contraindication on an individual's situation, I don't think foxglove need be concerned! 😊

For you yes there may have been a medical reason......

RJC

[trixiesmam in reply to RAYJAYC]

your dead right about that RJC when all is said and done we only take meds for the side effects , the good ones that is most found out by mistake i think when the 1st volunteers say " oh this is good my earache/headache / backache has gone " All good news for us fellow patients i call my self a druggie and thank god i can still get most of what i need even if sometimes i despair of never having a painfree day .I wanted to join a volunteer group a few yrs ago but was turned down ,because i had lupus so decided to leave my body to science if my family agree after my death i'd like to think i could do some good with what is left of me even if it is just organ donation maybe some use to the students studying what side effect my medication has done to my body and hopefully be helpful for future patients . Good luck RJC hope you have a good day X

[Steve_inpaintoolong]

I have been on and off Amitriptolyne for a few years to help me sleep.

It works too well for me.

If I dip into my drugs supply during a bad bout of the pain cycle, Amatriptolyne wipes me out .... I can't remember what my initial dose was 30mg ?......

I slept brilliantly but just couldn't lift my head of the pillow in the mornings.

So I dropped to 10mg which still had the same effect. so now its litterally half a tablet at bedtime and I'm out for the night.... Although I'm not on Amitripotylene now.

I found no matter how long I took a prescription I just couldn't get up in the morning, so it's only bad flare ups now for me.

[foxglove in reply to Steve_inpaintoolong]

I find the effects of ami. much the same as you. I was on 25 mg but am splitting pill now to take 12/ and a half and it still works! - hope to cut down to 6 mg or thereabouts soon

[Hidden]

Does it come in a tablet or capsule or? In the US, some pharmacies do special preparations of unusually small doses of meds. Another idea is MD substituting/adding a temporary med to cover withdrawal symptoms. For example, if you take amityptiline for sleep or anxiety, a different med would be substituted until you were stable off amitrytiline.

[foxglove in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for reply, I'm trying to avoid substituting different med. if poss.

[foxglove in reply to Hidden]

Tablet, trying to avoid taking substitute as that would no doubt create it's own probs.

[Tash1971]

AmitAmitriptline is used for many health concerns, from epilipsy , pain relief, nerve blocking & as an anti depressant.

I take 80mg a night, I have a serious back issue & need it to help me relax & slept.

To come off u do need to drop 5mg a time but only over 5 days not 2 weeks, if u see ur gp & ask for a 5mg tab u can take ur dose ur on & then come dwn slowly.

Look for other techniques to aid sleep, I also use meditation, but never finish it usually,due to dropping off, ..night time natural herbal remedies can help lavender, have u thought about crystals,yes they do work , feel free to contact me [e-mail]

I run a spiritualist page I can offer u alternative therapy.x

[foxglove in reply to Tash1971]

Thanks for reply, lots of helpful advice - appreciated! Esp. the suggestion of tapering off over 5 days, appeals to me.

[trixiesmam]

i was taken off 75 g of amitripyline in march this year after i had a pacemaker fitted the consultant did it because it can cause heart problems ,this was done eithout telling me when or why i only found out why when i asked my gp. I asked, no pleaded him if he knew of a for a replacement only to have him shrug his shoulders .After almost erupting into tears he relented and let me have 25 for 1 month then to come off them completely . Now its 1st of dec and i think he has forgotten ..ihope. Sleep patterns have been disrupted ever since i now wakeup about 4or 5 every morning read a couple of chapters of a book ,Then nap for a while but for a couple of months it was horrendous think i spent more time looking out of windows than sleeping i hope you can get off them they are not the best meds to be on good luck Foxglove x

[foxglove in reply to trixiesmam]

Thanks for interesting reply and good luck wishes I have been splitting 25mg in half for 5 days and next want to split again so about 6 mg then and hopefully get off completely - don't think I'm brave enough to come off all at once, don't think you were given much choice!...didn't know it could cause heart probs. I'm also an insomniac so sleep probs. a way of life and I could live with that again I expect. My husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's about a year ago so the temptation to have reasonable sleep was too much to ignore. I'm feeling a lot stronger now and have come to terms with how life is .... a very different old age than I had envisaged . However life will go on, sun will rise and earth spin around so one has to adjust.

I really admire you for coping with being taken straight off 75 mg, don't think I would wake up at all if I was on that. Agree not a good med. I was prescribed for after shingles pain and I was so amazed that a med. actually worked . Was only supposed to be on for 5 mths. but repeat script still being given . Sooner or later will be stopped and I'd rather sort things out before that day!!!

Long ramble - SORRY

[Sazntef]

I was transferred from Amitryptiline to nortryptiline with reduction for the change over, seemed to be quite straight forward with the exception of much increased pain levels. what are you having trouble with?

[foxglove in reply to Sazntef]

No trouble really, just want to get off ami. Well a bit of bother really causes nightmares and makes me unable to cry