Amitriptyline

[jlyndauk2002]

Hi all, just had a disappointing phone consultation with a new Rheumy as my old one has left. It was the usual lets get you off the pred, your blood markers are normal ect. He did agree to me carrying on a slow taper, on 4mg at the moment, and will speak to my doc. I am happy at 4mg at the mo and our surgery keeps messing with my prescription so hope he can clarify things. I told him that I was having a lot of pain in my knee and he said I could try Amitriptyline to help with the pain and my anxiety. Was wondering if anyone else has had any success with this medication. It was a very brief call!!! Sorry for the rant. Jenny x

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Oh dear - of course the markers are normal - you are on enough pred! And now it must be a slow taper to encourage adrenal function.

Why do they forget all their physiology as soon as they leave med school!

[jlyndauk2002 in reply to PMRpro]

PMRpro Thank you, it was also Nov when I had my last blood test and was on 7mgs then! No mention of having a new test It was also difficult to get my feelings across! xx

Jenny

[Constance13 in reply to PMRpro]

Good question.😏 I feel so guilty when I read some posts. Fantastic doctor (takes as long as needed - then asks "anything else I can do for you"?).

Really good Rheumy now as well.

4 to 5 days wait for doctors appointment (face to face) 6-8 weeks for Rheumy.

[suzy1959]

I have been on 35mgs Amitriptyline for a number of years. I started it to help me sleep as the Pred. keeps me awake. It really helps with that- if I forget to take it, I have a bad night. I think it does also help with pain a bit. On the other hand, it is a significant drug with a number of side effects so do your own research as well.

[Constance13]

I DO love that phrase " diddy-squat".🤣🤣

[MrsNails]

I was given Amitriptyline for my first Shoulder Injury & then again for the second issue.

I was never very keen on taking it until one of the Doctors l worked with gave me a History Lesson & why it works on Pain, particularly Shoulder & Back.

It is a very old tricyclic antidepressant but one of the side effects was patients mentioned improvements in Back & Shoulder Pain.

It is not used much now as an antidepressant as there are more modern, less sedative ones but some people still do take it.

As an Antidepressant it was taken in doses of 250mg but for Pain & as a Muscle Relaxant it’s generally started at 10mg & raised according to need, l currently take 20mg but have been much higher when the pain was excruciating.

The Main Tip is to take it early enough in the evening so as not to leave you with a ‘Hung Over Feeling’ the next day, l take mine at 7pm so l’ve always slept off any after effects. I had a friend who took it at around Midnight when she went to bed & always felt appalling the next day until she took my advice.

Best Wishes

MrsN

[Constance13]

I have an ipad with masses of them. Great fun when messaging granddaughter.💐😎

[Constance13]

We sometimes only emoji each other and try and make out the message.💥

[Jackoh in reply to Constance13]

😂🤣👍😜😱!!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Constance13]

How old is she?

[Constance13 in reply to PMRpro]

14! 💃💪👧👩‍💻

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Constance13]

Just a wee bairn ...

[Constance13 in reply to PMRpro]

5'6, County swimmer, body builder, hobby - climbing!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Constance13]

But mine are nearly 19 and heading for 6' and heading for 21 ... Beyond playing with emojis

[Constance13 in reply to PMRpro]

I wonder! I'm 80 and I play with them.🤪🤪

[Jackoh]

I take 25mg of Amitriptyline for peripheral neuropathy. For me it was a life saver as I couldn’t sleep at all with the pain in my lower right calf. I remember Mrs Nails saying take it at about 7 pm to avoid that “ hung over” feeling. I have been doing that and it has really helped me with the pain. I did start at 10 mg but I had to increase to control the pain. I then caught shingles ( a bad year last year!!) and I had to up it to 30 mg to deal with shingle pain as well. I’ve since reduced to 25mg. I tried reducing to 20 mg but found that wasn’t effective. I’d say give it a go and see how you feel. Probably like you I didn’t want to introduce another drug to the regime but I have been so thankful for the relief it has given me. Let us know how you get on. 💐