Amitriptyline : Hi I am on amitriptyline 20 mg... - Pain Concern

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Amitriptyline

Kingsley09 profile image
48 Replies

Hi I am on amitriptyline 20 mg for nerve pain relief I have afib as well as the nerve pain so my dr will only give me 20 mg as it can effect afib and 20 mg does help a lot but I think 20 mg at night as I have been started on (was on 10 mg for yrs but the pain has got much worse so she agreed to up it) maybe a bit to much as yesterday had mild afib attack so only took 10 mg and I’m fine this morning but of course in pain would like to know if anyone has tried taking 10 mg in morning and 10 mg at night I have just taken the first 10 mg this morning and has been successful doing it that way I’d been taking the 20 mg at night for a week before it happened and anyone out there that has afib will know that you can have an afib episode just like that even if your not on amitriptyline so am not sure if the amitriptyline caused it or not thanks for any advice if possible please x

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48 Replies
Skipper55 profile image
Skipper55

Is antripline anything like lyrrica as i had terrible side affects from these nerve drugs they really sent me loopy

in reply to Skipper55

Lyrica is for nerve pain, antrpline is more for anxiety and depression, both should NEVER be stopped all at once

in reply to

Any anxiety medication will probably give you the same type of side effects while taking it as well as after you stopped. No fun as experienced stopping lyrica, nightmare

Kingsley09 profile image
Kingsley09 in reply to

I was taking amitriptyline for years for nerve pain after a car accident on a low dose but cannot up dosage as I have afib and it effects my heart that’s why I am trying pregabalin

in reply to Kingsley09

I understand, i would try it but im too scared after ny experience, im going to see a painn dr for a consult for a pain pump tomorrow, this is my last chance at being able to sit, walk again, i can walk a little but just to the bathroom, its been 5 years of surgeries, nerve damage from back surgery

in reply to

Went fpr the pain pump trial, it worked!!! No pain, i walked, i sat i got dressed like a normal person. Walked right out with no problem! Completely pain free.

Foresting3 profile image
Foresting3 in reply to

That’s fantastic

shopgirl2007 profile image
shopgirl2007 in reply to

Wrong Michelle. Amitriptyline is used for both. Depression high dose. Nerve pain lower doses. Shouldn’t give advice on what you don’t know about. Neurologists have been using amitriptyline for over 37 yrs in my case for depression high dose then in low dose as pain relief since 1995. It’s been proven for more than 3-4 decades that amitriptyline work in brain with pain killers on low dose to relieve pain. So Michelle don’t talk crap

jaar profile image
jaar in reply to shopgirl2007

You do well with amatryptaline helping pain and anxiety? What level is your pain? Mine went from a very happy three to four with no more anxiety to a ten pluse and anxiety off the charts but my anxiety has settled down but the pain is unlivable, cant even think of a tomorrow being in this bad of pain. I can take pain so im really bed off

jaar profile image
jaar in reply to

Anyone who has anxiety and pain have any luck with lyrica? I know all these meds are not really any better than the next if they dont help and all can not be stopped without serious side affects and at least hydrocodone wont kill you and screw your brain up and give you a stroke but hydro can be a problem too, its really not very strong for this level f pain and its no fun getting off of them either but like the one guy said hecwill be on them forever, i dont know if i should just accept that i will be also as my pain is nothing worth living like yet just a few years ago i was dealing without any pain meds and i wasnt even having anxiety and ive had times without anxiety but hardly any without pain but then my pain became tolerable and suddenly im in such pain im almost hopeless

Craigvdw profile image
Craigvdw

I take 150mg at night. I primarily started taking it for my Ptsd but over the last couple of years I have developed small fibre sensory neuropathy in my feet and legs. I also take 1800mg of Gabapentine and so far neither of them work for the pain at all. The Amitriptyline helps me to sleep but that's about it. But I would say that we are all physiologically different so you could have much better results. Good luck 🤞

Kingsley09 profile image
Kingsley09 in reply to Craigvdw

I took gabapentin and it did nothing for my pain but pregabalin really took the pain away I stopped taking it because I read all the bad things that seemed to go with side effects of it but tonight I have decided to give it another try as it has been the only one that has helped as all I’ve got to use is the amitriptyline and it is to low a dose at 10mg forpain relief and if I up it to 20 mg it effects my heart so looks like I have to take my chance on the side effects of pregabalin to get some quality of life

lovenothate profile image
lovenothate in reply to Craigvdw

Just thought I’d mention that you might find getting your Dr to up your dose of Gabapentin will help. You can go quite a bit higher. I’m on 2700mg a day and find it helps massively with my nerve pain. Sending you all the best.

in reply to lovenothate

Careful with increasing dosage of gabapentin. Many people get other medical issues when too high, your doc can test your levels of gaba, remember what goes up easily does not come down easily. Very dangerous drugs. It took me 3 months to lower gaba and its been 2 months since my last dose. Im still in a brain fog daily, double vision and much much more, slurred speech, but pain actually got better, gaba made pain worse where people think they need to increase the dose, the gaba can actually cause increased pain

shopgirl2007 profile image
shopgirl2007 in reply to

Michelle that’s same as all drugs you take for pain. The more you take the more you need to maintain the pain and can actually cause the pain themselves

in reply to shopgirl2007

No no plz gaba and lyrica is diff than pain meds, plz plz trust me on this. I have been thru all of it. I will tell you truths only. I cant emphasize this dangerous drug enuf. Docs finally catching on now the bad part of this drug

misty14 profile image
misty14

Hi Kingsley

Intetesting your trying to juggle Amitriptyline with atrial fribulation!. That's a good idea to do one dose night and morning to counteract the possible side effects that are similar to AF. I've tried a similar juggle because I take 25 mg Amitriptyline and am having problems with tachycardia or fast heart rate which is similar to AF. I reduced to 20 mg in case it was the Amitriptyline and found my symptoms got worse so had to go back to the 25 mg. At least I know it's not the Ami and so same could apply to you. It can be so hard to know what's causing what!. Maybe ask your GP if it's OK to stagger the doses. Hope it helps you, we're all different!. X

Kingsley09 profile image
Kingsley09 in reply to misty14

Hi misty the cardiologist I saw was very reluctant to even let me have 10 mg and said if I get a afib attack I must take no more, 10 mg wasn’t enough for my pain relief so I talked to my own dr an she agreed to 20 mg but I started it and within 5 days I had an afib attack it went on all day which before they had only been for about 2/3 hrs so I have reluctantly stopped and started again last night on pregabalin which I found definitely helped my pain but had read about all the side effects and what it is supposed to do to your brain that’s why I stopped it but as it’s been the only thing that has given me relief from the pain I am giving it a go so be very careful with the amitriptyline as it was the length of time that my afib attack that has made me stop especially as the cardiologist was so reluctant to have me start it I am 78 and I do know even if you have know heart problems Drs are not to happy with older people taking amitriptyline hope it’s successful for you x

misty14 profile image
misty14 in reply to Kingsley09

Hi Kingsley

It's interesting that cardiologists are mindful of Amitriptyline in older people with Afib!. I'm younger and found my tachycardia symptoms were worse trying to reduce it!. Good thing we're different!. I've tried Pregabalin for nerve pain and it was really helpful for the pain but I couldn't take the side effects so I take Gabapentin instead with no problems!. Hope you manage ok on itX

Kingsley09 profile image
Kingsley09 in reply to misty14

Hi misty it shows we can all react differently to medication I was first given gabapentin and was so bad having to hold onto the furniture to walk around in my bungalow thank god I didn’t have to use stairs at that time but when I went on pregabalin it was ok except my vision went blurred and my muscles started to ache more but the nerve pain that I was given it for went away I stopped it because of that but last night have started it again as the nerve pain was so bad yesterday I cried and I’m not the sort to cry easily do you still take amitriptyline as well as I was thinking of taking low dose pregabalin and just 10 mg amitriptyline as 10 mg doesn’t seem to effect my afib thanks for your reply

misty14 profile image
misty14 in reply to Kingsley09

Hi Kingsley

Yes I do take Gabapentin and Amitriptyline so good idea for you to take Pregabalin and low dose Amitriotyline!. It's important not to have the nerve pain as it can so affect quality of life!. Good luckX

in reply to misty14

Pregabalin is the same drug as gabapentin

misty14 profile image
misty14 in reply to

Hi Michele,

Pregabalin is the newer version of Gabapentin and is stronger!. It gets into your system quicker than Gabapentin which is why it can be more effective for pain if you don't get the side effects!.X

in reply to misty14

I didnt know that, thanks, i hope it works for your nerve pain, i couldnt tolerate it

misty14 profile image
misty14 in reply to

Hi Michelle, I tried Pregabalin twice and couldn't take the side effects so went back to Gabapentin!. It was a pity as the pain relief was better!. Same happened to you did it?X

in reply to misty14

No actually since i stopped it, the massive pain in my lower extremities calmed down 90%, stil have pain and tingles, all the horrible side effects like fear, panickattacks, anxiety and much more ended

misty14 profile image
misty14 in reply to

I had those side effects too Michelle , not nice so glad even pain better off it. I hope it continues for you. Is it in your groin?. I've got nerve damage there from abdominal surgery!. X

Kingsley09 profile image
Kingsley09 in reply to misty14

Hi misty I’ve decided to give amitriptyline at 20 mg a try again as it definitely helps with my nerve pain 10 mg is not enough along with the co codamol which before my afib was how with the 10 mg I managed as I really can’t take gabapentin and although I tried pregabalin it made my body ache really badly the nerve pain went but I felt I was just changing from one pain to another I reduced amitriptyline back to 10 mg for a couple of days but going back up again as a friend said the reason you have gone down again is because Youve had a mild afib attack but when you were not taking them after your first afib attack you still got afib attacks so maybe this last one wasn’t the amitriptyline just because you are back on the amitriptyline you are thinking that’s what caused this one so hopefully 20 mg will work ok at least I’m going to give it a try as you have proved the amitriptyline wasn’t the cause of you tachycardia problem

misty14 profile image
misty14 in reply to Kingsley09

Hi Kingsley

Good idea to try Amitriptyline at 20 mg. hope it helps , just watch out for a very dry mouth. Well worth a try. Horrid being in pain!.

ive just had my beta blocker increased and it's really helped my tachycardia symptoms!.

Hopefully we'll both have a better Easter now. X

Kingsley09 profile image
Kingsley09 in reply to misty14

Hi misty I am allergic to beta blockers so I have calcium Chanel blockers but today after taking 20 mg last night I am feeling my heart beating faster so tonight I’m just going to take 10 mg of amitriptyline and the 75 mg of pregabalin that the dr gave me to see if that will help with my nerve pain thanks for chatting and I hope you have a nice Easter xx

misty14 profile image
misty14 in reply to Kingsley09

I hope that helps you Kingsley. It's difficult finding the right combination of drugs for optimum pain relief!. Thanks for good wishes . I hope the same for you. X

Kingsley09 profile image
Kingsley09 in reply to misty14

Hi misty am back on taking just amitriptyline again as taking the 20 mg has definitely helped my nerve pain I am wondering if because I know it can effect your heart I’m looking out for it to much as I’ve also been told that the pregabalin can have some effect on your heart so as pregabalin has given me side effects and amitriptyline none except a good nights sleep I’d rather take my chance on the one that helps me more as you have said before amitriptyline wasn’t the cause of your tachycardia and as a friend said to me all the pain that you are in cannot be good for your heart and also lack of sleep so wish me luck but thanks for your imput x

misty14 profile image
misty14 in reply to Kingsley09

Hello Kingsley

Fingers tightly crossed for you that the 20 mg Amitriotyline continues helping your nerve pain. It's a difficult juggle!. Who told you that Pregabalin affects the heart?. If a friend I'd be wary of accurate info. A medic like your GP well that's different story!. I do agree with you that your probably looking for it acutely, our minds do play a part but who wouldn't!.

I tried Pregabalin twice and had problems with unsteadiness ,anxiety that I couldn't stay on it!. It did help the pain sadly!. I take 25 mg Amitriptyline and it hasn't affected my heart symptoms. Just watch out for a very dry mouth!. I sip water constantly in a morning and then it wears off!. It does help me sleep!. Best of luck. X

cyberbarn profile image
cyberbarn

Find out if your surgery has a clinical pharmacist working for them. They can actually be much better on the drugs and might be able to advise if it is okay to stagger the doses.

Kingsley09 profile image
Kingsley09 in reply to cyberbarn

I agree a pharmacist often knows more than your average dr. but it was the cardiologist that was reluctant to let me start on even the lowest dose and that was at the hospital and I think if he’s been dealing with afib all the time he would be the one as my own dr didn’t know about it which they often don’t I know because I worked in a surgery and the pharmacist would often come round to me and say they can’t give this drug with this other drug as they interact and I’d have to go to the dr. Concerned and tell him and he’d change the script but with the consultants at the hospital that deal with things like your heart they have more experience with what drugs are ok or not and I was taking 10 mg when I had my first afib attack and I have read that they are seeing people developing heart conditions who are taking amitriptyline for a few years but there hasn’t been enough research into it yet to definitely tell but none of my family have had heart problems my mum lived till96 so it does make me wonder if there might be a connection

Celtic27 profile image
Celtic27

Hi there im on amitriptalene also its for the samething as you but mostly to help me sleep ! The best thing to do is to ask your doctors advice regarding the split dose 10mg am and 10mg pm ! Take care david

Skipper55 profile image
Skipper55 in reply to Celtic27

I have CSS 3rd stage which is an auto immune dis that causes the entire vein system in my body to permanently thicken thus cutting of reducing blood to my organs and feet end of fingers .So eventually everthing will shut down but as a side effect my body hurts as the nerves are not getting its blood so my body hurts and it hurts a lot . I have tried many nerve tablets like lycra .they did terrible things to my mind so much so i was driving my family crazy . I now have 100micro fenttayl .morphein wwhen pain hits 8 kidney stones etc it would be between 2 a week or 2 every 8 weeks and 120 endone tablets every 8 weeks although i have suffered for the last 6 weeks because i was fed up and also i wanted to get the stuff out of my system for a bit .i will somehow do that with the fentayl patches when i get over the surgery i am due for. I have been on this plan for 8 years along with the drugs to that try and contain the disease ie poison chemo and steriods etc . The damage has been done this pain treatment regime has got me this far but having said that i have lived longer the expected end date they gave me . How good are these nerve drugs for pain given i have no large bowel and adsorption of tablets and food is very difficult . Mine is just not nerve pain 44 kidney stones blasted .sufocation so the nerves in my windpipe had to be cut 3 times i suffocated and once the body relaxes the windpipe opens then no immune system its been killed off so i catch so many ailments etc the opiod method works but everyone in governments are getting paraniod over it but this disease is so rare the medicos no little about it. Has anyone been on the opiod treatment then gone to the nerve drug and can feel a real benefit.

morphalot profile image
morphalot

Same as me David!

I know a woman who took it 2x daily.

Frostielyme profile image
Frostielyme

Amitriptyline gave me horrid side effects. I had awful night terrors, bruised more easily and other not nice things... it can be effective but just watch out for dodgy side effects. I moved to gabapentin and I'm now on pregablin which acts as a neuropathic pain killer and is much purer and way less side effects. Good luck!

Skipper55 profile image
Skipper55

Every day we discuss the problem of pain and the issues attached to so many drugs . i am so confused that we are living in a nightmare of pain and our lives are stuffed up as a result , my problem is the nerves are not being feed by blood and the pain starts to grow day after day, and plainly nothing works . There are at least 10 emails a day from healthunlocked re vasculitis and pain associated with it and I am yet to read a solution . Where do we go from here ?

jaar profile image
jaar

Im not sure if it would be the meds, ask your doctor. Sorry i cant help you on that one but im wondering where your nerve pain is? I have pain, seems every kind of pain there is, no joke and im on gabapentin and hydrocodone but really dont like the fact that hydrocodone can become a problem and usually because it really doesnt always cut my pain for very long or like you i cant tell if its the meds when my pain gets worse but one doc gave me amatryptaline and i didnt try it for a few reasons, he didnt seem to belive i was in pain and he didnt treat me well but does the amatryptaline affect your anxiety? That is my main concern. I know hydro wont, it helps with pain and lowees my anxiety almost completely. Im still having trouble that ive become so sick out of no ehere and havnt hadcany pain or symptoms like i do now ever in my life and ive had anxiety for years but in my chest area not my brain and this feels like something will pop in my brain and it never completely goes away and the physical pain i was dealingvwith quaudrupaled and honestly isnt livable. Can you help me understand where your pain is snd how amatryptaline wors for you, i alsovam afraid it will make my heart trip out because almost all meds affect my anxiety and make me worse off besides strong pain meds but all are addictive and im always hoping my episodes will get better and pass so i hate that it came back. Thanks for any help

Kingsley09 profile image
Kingsley09 in reply to jaar

I take amitriptyline and it has helped my nerve pain I am not allowed more than 20 mg a day as I have afib and it can sometimes effect it but upto now I’ve been ok if it starts I will have to go down to 10 mg I have found it much better than gabapentin or pregabalin for pain relief and none of the horrible side effects of the other two it maybe worth you trying

jaar profile image
jaar

If i may ask, what side affects did you get with gabapentin? I had a horrible bunch of sensations mostly from my waist down but at times all over and very hard to explain and though i hurt like heck and am in pain to my bones the horrible what i call brain pain because i hurt in my legs and body and eventually it makes my brain hurt and my mind weak to focus and live and do anything but need it to go away and gabapentin i think is keeping that at bay but who knows what tomorrow can bring, side affects, stops working, you probably know what i mean, its a waiting, guessing, helps and you think your better and boom, nope your worse than ever but thank you for the info on amatriptaline because options are good but there doesnt feel like i have options because i need to be the one who says what helps no matter what it is plus if you dont have an environment livable its no chance at all. Thank you for responding and for being nice to me.

Kingsley09 profile image
Kingsley09 in reply to jaar

Hi jaar when I was on gabapentin I totally lost my balance and as I already have a balance problem with my neuropathy I didn’t need anymore and when I went onto pregabalin I had muzzy head and all my bones hurt but now I’m on amitriptyline I am fine I think you have to find what suits your body hope you find something to suit you

jaar profile image
jaar

Thanks for responding, i agree i have to find what suits me but no one is ever going to let me do that, i dont have a chance in the world of being around in my situation and if i keep going another day im just going to be suffering more and more. I appreciate that you ansered me, thank you.

jaar profile image
jaar

Question on gabapentin, my bones and body hurt really bad did it do that to you? It helps me though so far with a different kind of pain,

Kingsley09 profile image
Kingsley09 in reply to jaar

The gabapentin made me lose my balance I already have a balance problem from my neuropathy but using that I had to hold onto everything to even get to the bathroom but I didn’t ache and on pregabalin my body started to be full of aches but the nerve pain was helped that,s why I came off

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