Amitriptyline withdrawal

[Jacbarr]

Since December of last year when I suffered with ear problems, migraines and high blood pressure I have tried 3 different meds with awful side effects and no help whatsoever. I've had 2 mri's, 2 hearing tests, 2 eye tests, numerous blood tests and an ecg. I've also paid a vast amount of money to be seen privately by ENT and neurology as gp unsure what was causing my ear problems, high bp and migraines. First I was on Sertraline as gp convinced I was depressed!!, then following neurologist apt was put on Candesartan for the migraine, which made me feel very ill.

To cut a long story short I am now on Amitriptyline 10mgs daily (since March). I came off the Candesartan (as advised by gp) then the Sertraline, all within a couple of months.

The side effects of all this has caused me to feel like a zombie daily, confused and tearful and my short term memory is dreadful. I have come from being an intelligent, healthy woman to a complete vegetable within 5 months.

I now need to return to private neurologist as still unable to see my gp!!to help with my symptoms. My worry is, could the Amitriptyline be causing me to feel this way and causing memory loss? If so, how do I wean off? Mixed reviews as to how to do it but I just want all meds out of my system asap. Could it be the meds or do I have early signs of dementia?

Any help or advise please

[suzy1959]

I was intrigued by the title of your post as I posted with the same title a few weeks ago! Do have a look at my post as there is a lot of information about the perils of weaning off Amitriptyline. I am still having some bad days, 40 days after taking my last dose.I was put on Candesartan for high blood pressure and felt really ill with it for the first 2 weeks until my body got used to it.

Anyway, it sounds like you are having a real problem getting to the bottom of what is wrong with you and I wish you luck in finding out what is going on.

[Jacbarr in reply to suzy1959]

Thank you, I will look at your previous post. Getting to the bottom of all my symptoms has been a nightmare

[SheffieldJane]

You need to keep a symptom diary. I got hopelessly lost too. Not being believed compounds the nightmare.I wonder if a Rheumatologist would explore this more effectively down a different path. Just lately I have heard/read strange ideas from Neurologists when presented with GCA/LVV type symptoms. So sorry!

[Jacbarr in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you, seeing the private neurologist next week and will request another MRI as I feel something has been missed, then go from there. 6 months of hell so far!

[MrsNails]

Hi Jac - What time do you take your a Amitriptyline as it’s important to take it early enough in the evening so you don’t have ‘side effects’ the following morning.

MrsN

[Jacbarr in reply to MrsNails]

Hi, I take it at 7.00pm most nights, never earlier. But really want to wean off now, so may take every other night for a week and so on for 4-5 weeks. Problem I have is that we still can't talk face to face with a gp so I have to do what I hope is the best way

[MrsNails in reply to Jacbarr]

My Amitriptyline are down stairs now but could you cut them in two so halving the dose but taking it everyday. I’ll look into other strengths - only higher dose strengths.

[Pixix]

(My amitryptylline are a capsule, so can’t halve, Mrs N…just a thought)! I had to wean off as consultant thought it was causing my bad hand & arm tremors…but it wasn’t that. I have taken it for years, but weaned off quickly without any problems whatsoever. My doctor said I could come straight off it & shouldn't be a problem. I can’t comment on your dementia thoughts, you surely need to see your doctor, or a specialist, I think! If you look at the last ‘weaning off Amitryptylline’ post, I think I commented there, & many others did! I take mine at 6pm & all effects gone by 8am the next morning! Oh, & try searching on ‘amitryptylline’, too, you may find more posts…I take it for pain relief & to help with muscle spasms caused by other diseases, not PMR, or depression! I take 27 tablets a day, so it’s hard to know what’s causing which side effects…but I get plenty of those! Good luck!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pixix]

You can usually split a capsule by opening it and removing a bit of the contents ...

[Pixix in reply to PMRpro]

I know…but Jacbarr has been weaning off it for two weeks already, it transpired from her reply….so no need to cut pills/capsules…

[Jacbarr in reply to Pixix]

Thanks for reply. Im bit nervous of just stopping it but have made out a 4 week plan, taking every 3rd day as have already done 2 week plan of alternate days. I have med review via telephone with my gp in 4 weeks time so fingers crossed my plan will work.

[Pixix in reply to Jacbarr]

I didn’t realise you’d already been weaning off it for 2 weeks…and already have a four week plan made out…you should be fine, then!

[Moruya]

Have you considered you might have brain fog, it does get better, try not to stress .