Amitripyline,please advise

[Whymelord]

hi,had a visit to my gp earlier, each time i go i get to see a different Doctor who has a different opinion from the last one.I asked for help as Pregablin is not working for me,she put me on Amitriptyline, i thought i read on this forum that this medication makes RLS worse? So i mentioned this to her, she more or less ignored me ("didn't liked to be told").please help before i try these.

[SueJohnson]

It is an antidepressant and for many people makes RLS worse.

[Whymelord in reply to SueJohnson]

thankyou SueJohnson,its what i suspected, O Lord,from bad to probably worse which is not what i need.I dont feel depressed,i feel exhausted, i feel that a visit to my gp only makes things worse.Is this medication given for RLS?

[Madlegs1 in reply to Whymelord]

Some doctors ( completely out of touch) prescribe it, thinking it will calm people down.

Instead, we have had instances of people going out of control through using it.

You could try it for a day or 2, but most people find it most unhelpful.

[Whymelord in reply to Madlegs1]

thankyou Madlegs, gp gave me 25mgs so im gonna cut the tab.in half and see how that goes.will report back.

[Hidden in reply to Whymelord]

You will know from your first dose whether it will make your RLS go bonkers. You might be a lucky one and it will work for you. I also had a doctor who prescribed it to me i did tell her it can make RLS worse she told me she has patients that it works well for them. So even tho i knew it would probably send my RLS into overdrive i took it , was awake all night with RLS and legs still on the go the next day. I took it so i could honestly tell her never again.

[Madlegs1 in reply to Whymelord]

So-- if we dont hear from you, we'll send a search party!🥵

[gobojo]

hi, I take 30mg amitriptyline to prevent migraine. Like you I was very worried about taking it. I have been taking it for a few months now and it has not had any effect on my rls. I think people react differently so taking half a tablet ar first seems like a sensible idea. Good luck

[Pagan707]

I know Amitripline is not popular on this site but it helps me. I had awful reactions to both Gabapentin and duluxotine. It along with the Buprenorphine patch I wear have made a significant decrease in symptoms. It is also recommended by the London Pain Clinic in Harley Street. People all react differently to drugs so I think blanket statements that state it makes RLS worse put people off trying it. I’m so glad I did and nighttime spasms gone down about 75%.

[MrVimes]

I tried it. I did not work. I am now on a combination of Mirapex and Pregabalin. I adjust the pregabalin dose to reduce my Mirapex 'addiction', which I have been taking for over 20 years. If you have not tried pregabalin, consider giving it a try. I take between 175mg and 225mg, dependent on the severity of my symptoms.

[Whymelord in reply to MrVimes]

hi,ive been taking Pregablin for some months,definitely not the one for me sadly,beginning to wonder where do i go from here.my RLS is nightly recently, having trouble with high Bloodpressure,the gp i saw yesterday was young and very opinionated,oh for a night of rest.

[Jumpey]

It sent my RLS through the roof with one dose. The good news is if you decide to try it , the effect stops as soon as you stop taking it.Good luck.

[Whymelord in reply to Jumpey]

hi Jumpey,took half the prescribed dose last night,i had one hellish night,still feeling horrible.because the Amitriptyline causes tiredness, i was walking around to ease the RLS but sooo bloody tired.you are right about knowing by the first dose i just could not go through it again tonight.

[Jumpey in reply to Whymelord]

Not at all worth it.

[Stevie777]

Firstly I am sorry that you are having such a nightmare with your RLS and feeling so exhausted, it’s a hideous feeling to be like this as most people on here can relate to. I agree we shouldn’t make blanket statements about drugs as we all react differently. My reaction to Amitripline was terrible, RLS through the roof, then stumbling around in the night like a zombie, so tired I would fall as asleep momentarily standing , I can’t describe it how it felt. It was just BAD. I’ve had similar reactions from most other drugs. The only drug that has helped me is Tramadol SR 200mg in the morning and 200mg at night , but that’s a maximum dose and you definitely should not start at a high dose straight away. I’ve been on it for 12 years , it’s not as effective as it was so I’m hoping to find a way to wean off it and cross over to methadone.

Keep trying , change doctor, get to see a specialist, you will eventually find the drug that works for you and get some respite and stillness. This group is an incredible support network to turn to as most non RLS people havnt a clue what it’s like to suffer from it.

[Brownbear1]

If pregabalin doesn't work the alternative is usually gabapentin. Amitriptyline is a very old antidepressant that probably helps nerve pain but I have never heard of it being prescribed for rls. Ask for gabapentin it should do the trick for you.

[joker826]

Did not work for me.

[Stelladevico]

Amitriptyline gave me some of the worst nights with RLS that I have ever experienced. Also happened to a friend whose RLS stopped completely when he stopped taking it.

[Whymelord in reply to Stelladevico]

hi,Stelldevico,its like some of the gp's have cloth ears.i stressed to the one yesterday that i am aware these tabs do exacerbate RLS.i will treat myself for a few nights at least and see what happens. Im really grateful for the help and chats on this forum.

[Grammieof4]

it will make it worse.