Sleeping problems

[Jenzxx]

I've been on sertraline for 10 years now and I've been prescribed Amitriptyline for my sleeping problems. Which is worrying because it can cause interactions. I'm on 10mg Amitriptyline, is it safe to take another one if 10mg isn't doing anything?

[Hzhr7]

I would check with your GP but I am on Citalopram, buphrenorphine patches, as well as Oramorph. My doctor also prescribed amytriptyline 10 mgs for sleep but he had to put them up to 20 as 10 wasn't working. I am sleeping quite well now so don't take them every night . Hope this helps xx

[cyberbarn]

i second talking to your GP. It will depend on how long you have been taking it and why. Low dose amitriptyline is used to help reduce neuropathic pain and relax muscles, it isn't a sleeping tablet as such. More isn't necessarily a good thing, and it takes a few weeks for your body to settle in with it. It will also depend on how big you are. My son was very young and thin when he started on amitriptyline but the GP upped the dose about five years later as my son had grown to his adult size and weight.

[basten]

Well I dont think your gp would have prescribed it if they though it would cause interaction. But if one doesnt help check with them first to ask if you can take 20mg. I know a lady who takes 25 and sleeps well but shes not on anything else.

[ZeN01]

Hi I would also recommend asking your GP I myself have problems sleeping, and no matter what they give me nothing seems to work I have tried going to sleep earlier but then I get up early 4.0am- 5.0am most days but I have found that this is the only way, I would ask about the higher dose and I cannot see why they wouldn't say yes. but if that doesn't work try altering your sleep pattern I think to myself that if I cannot seep then don't let it worry me as it only adds to the worry of not sleeping I wish you well and hope you find something and if the higher dose works .... Big thumbs up

[Jacksyjack in reply to ZeN01]

Excellent advice about not worrying about it. The worse thing you can do is lay in bed for hours trying to force yourself to sleep. If I can't for 20 mins or so, then I'll get up for a little while and try again. You'll start to associate being in bed with sleeplessness otherwise.

I found Amitriptyline helpful in the past. Be careful increasing doseage yourself though. I'd say up to 20mg is fine, but I ended up on 150mg as it took more and more to work the longer I was on it. To the point where sleep was impossible without it. But if you can stay at a lower dose then it definitely has its usages.

Cheers, and hope you get some relief soon.

Jack

[Cal66]

Hi

Yes you can increase them, as long as you mention it to your doctor when you see them next, or if you want a repeat prescription.

I currently take 35mg, but if I am feeling unwell & either know that I won't sleep or had a bad night the previous night, the I either increase by an extra 10mg or 5mg, both my Rheumatologist & GP's know how I work them, have been doing that for over 20 years.

You just have to find a dosage to suit you.

Good luck

[jackie4ball]

Yes I have been on Amytryptiline for over 30 years and have had sertraline at one stage I was on 240mg of Amytryptiline at night. I now currently take 50mg I had recently stopped it as it just wasn’t working anymore. Last night I was awake all night. But with not being able to see GP’s at the moment it’s difficult. After a few weeks off it I tried again.

[Mistee]

If you're worried about interactions then yes, speak to your GP although I'd be surprised that they'd prescribe it in the first place if interactions were a risk.

I take a whole host of other meds and have been taking 50mgs for years. I did go up to 70mgs a few years ago but I struggled with getting up and functioning in the mornings so I cut it back to 50mgs pretty quickly.

Good luck!

[Domlepts]

im on 200mg sertraline and 125 amitriptyline and im fine. Ive been on amitriptyline for past 4 years and sertraline past 4 months

[Hidden]

hiya I'm the same im on sertraline for years and doc prescribed amitriptyline aswell, how do u find it?