surprising health conditions antidepressants can treat - other than depression!

[annmarierodnes]

I came across this in The Conversation about antidepressants and I now intend to speak to my doctor about prescribing as the article mentions 5 health conditions that antidepressants can help alleviate including my main one which is chronic nerve pain. To quote from the article:

"Many antidepressants are believed to work by increasing the levels of chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters – although the exact science is still unknown. In particular, they increase levels of serotonin and noradrenaline, which are linked to mood.

These neurotransmitters are also linked to pain pathways. It’s for this reason that some people who experience nerve pain may be prescribed a tricyclic antidepressant – such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline.

Studies show that low doses of these drugs may be effective in treating nerve pain. This pain is often described as a shooting, burning pain, which may radiate outwards.

Sometimes patients also experience tingling and numbness. This type of pain is typically caused by nerve damage. Nerve pain can occur in people with diabetes (diabetic neuropathy), trigeminal neuralgia (facial pain) and multiple sclerosis."

theconversation.com/beyond-...?

Pity there is no mention regarding PA in the above. 10 years ago before my PA diagnosis my doctor did offer me amitriptyline but for depression! As I was not depressed I did not take any. Be interested to hear from others about this.

[JanD236]

I was prescribed amtripyline for nerve pain and to help me sleep when I had shingles last year. It did the trick but I stopped after 3 days as I was a complete zombie the following morning.

[helvella in reply to JanD236]

In 2022 for me!

The biggest benefit of amitriptyline was helping me sleep.

The biggest disbenefit of amitriptyline was making me sleep - maybe five hours extra in the mornings. Absolutely horrible. And I'm not sure whether it contributed to pericarditis.

Stopped and started using capsaicin cream - and still do.

[annmarierodnes]

Thank you both, JanD236 and helvella . I need sleep badly but not being zombified. So hard to know what to do as tinnitus, burning feet disturb my nights badly - feet wake me, tinnitus stops me getting back to sleep.Time for my b12 injection now as gone back to one every day as tongue sore and swollen. Otherwise coping and life is full.

[helvella in reply to annmarierodnes]

I too have tinnitus. Very, very long-term.

Some nights it feels as if it is driving me mad (in the colloquial sense).

The only thing that helps with that, for me, is a radio program/podcast/similar. Preferably one that is moderately interesting, pretty much talk only (no music). I turn it on, set a timer to switch it off, have it just loud enough to listen easily, and find I've fallen asleep.

Needs to be absorbing enough to want to listen and take my attention. But not too exciting!

I also found that being hypothyroid caused insomnia before starting treatment (levothyroxine). Once that was adequately dosed, I found myself sleeping far better.

[annmarierodnes in reply to helvella]

Yes. I find listening to something at night helps and getting the right level of interest is quite important. Still need to make a decision on antidepressants!

[ClaireWF1346 in reply to annmarierodnes]

I have this exact dilemma. I slept in the spare bed for months when first diagnosed with B12D as I was so restless I was keeping my husband awake. But when I eventually migrated back to our room, I started wearing earplugs again (to block out snoring) and that reduces the volume of my tinnitus. Recommend to try it!

[Nackapan]

I was offered amytripyline by 4 doctors to help with migrains .I resisted as wasn't convinced .

Then in a crisis. Migraine into my spine and in so much pain took it .

Lowest dose just at night .

I was very drugged and it gave me 2-3 days relief.

But was bedbound.

It then still drugged me but pain breaking through .

I was not willing to be more drugged.

So weaned myself off.

It was hell.

10days on it .

2 weeks and a pi cutter to wean off it .

Loafs of them can work.

Duloxatine

Sertraline

Also offered but declined.

Used pain killers on a rotation.

My daughter did well on amytripyline for body pain.

Mainly as she got to sleep.

[Veraveg]

I was prescribed Amitriptyline as specialist said good for Fibromyalgia as in low dose side effects help you get stage 4 deep sleep which helps body restore overnight and helps with pain. I find it harder to wake in mornings but definitely helped with chronic pain. I take around 7.30pm so can wake in time for work. Really noticeable when I forget to take as I just struggle to sleep. I was prescribed a different medication initially that knocked me out and was sick so I think you have to see what works for you. Good luck 🤞

[Hockey_player]

Drugs can have both good and bad effects. You always need to decide if the good outweighs the bad or not. I would suggest reading the drug info carefully before you decide if you want to take them. It may be worth it if you get rid of the nerve pain. One thing that might make me hesitate is that you need to be careful about how you stop taking anti-depressants if you have been taking them for awhile. You would need to get a doctor's advice on how to taper off.

[Hockey_player]

An article about going off anti-depressants:

health.harvard.edu/diseases...

[Oneash]

I watched this video last night youtu.be/JriH4wEOz4k?si=uPJ...(Not working as expected?) digesting the content, I need to watch it again. But to sum up we need folate and B6 to get working B12 for homocysteine break down in the liver I knew that, but we also need lots of fish fat Omega 3 to get B12 working properly for our nerves, and zinc is needed in the process too. I knew that a bit, but not the kind of daily need. But it makes sense of feeling so much better on seaside holidays! And Patrick Holford recommends eating lots of eggs.

And am off to get some fish oil omega 3 capsules and zinc supplements, to see if that helps clear the fuggy head and quieten the tinnitus.

[Bellabab]

Amitriptyline works well to reduce pain for me. I take it mid afternoon as it makes me a bit sleepy. Two tablets are enough for me usually although I sometimes need to take three. It does however reduce my short term memory so prefer to stick with just two whenever possible.

[Budsa]

I take amatriptyline to help with the burning pain down the right hand side of my body. I take it at 7pm and rarely go to bed before midnight. It does help me get to sleep easily but if I wake up after 3 or 4 hours the burning can be at its worst. I dont suffer any hang over effect from taking ut. I have problems with my thoracic and lumbar spine so have never known if my neuropathy and burning is down to my spine or my b12 problems. My spìnal consultant has recommended I ask my doctor to prescribe a different tablet as different tablets can act differently in different people.