Amitriptaline: Hi everyone, just thought I would... - IBS Network

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Amitriptaline

Pollyboo profile image
32 Replies

Hi everyone, just thought I would post today about my GP appointment this morning.After much deliberation I have taken away a prescription for Amitriptaline 10mg.

I think I may give this a try as over the last 20 yrs have tried many many things.

He also suggested an anti hystamine diet but said just google it and see what you think. Also to take Meberverine 3x daily which I only seem to take as and when.

Well I think I hsve decided to get prescription and see how I go.

Would be gratefull if anyone has any advice to give if they are takeing this medication.

Thank you all your help is always much appreciated.

Pollyboo

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Pollyboo profile image
Pollyboo
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32 Replies
Dollymae06 profile image
Dollymae06

I have taken Amitriptyline for years and Mebeverine but I am no take half a Loperamide tablet daily when I'm very loose I take more.

Bunty1957 profile image
Bunty1957 in reply toDollymae06

I have taken this med for 3 years now without any side effects and have found it helps tremendously

Pollyboo profile image
Pollyboo in reply toDollymae06

Thank you for your reply. Started the Amytriptyline last night, felt a bit drowzy today but I am sure it will pass,anything to get a normal life back

CJ75 profile image
CJ75 in reply toPollyboo

try not to take it too late at night as you will wake up with a hangover fuzzy feeling! Early evening worked for me

Pollyboo profile image
Pollyboo in reply toCJ75

Hi and thanks for that advice I will bear that in mind and ajust things if need be. I have felt a bit light headed today.

DMCN profile image
DMCN in reply toPollyboo

I have taken Amitriptyline for a number of years not ibs but for migraine and anxiety I take 3 x tablets at night and take up to 5 if needed they do help but they have made no difference to my ibs

Snoopydrop profile image
Snoopydrop

I have been taking Amitriptyline for 6 months and there has been a significant improvement in my IBS. Originally prescribed as an antidepressant but the Dr did say it can help with digestive problems. At first you may be drowzy very quickly but the body seems to get used to it. For that reason I take it at night. Hope it helps you.

Pollyboo profile image
Pollyboo in reply toSnoopydrop

Hi Snoopydrop, I started my Amitriptyline last night just feel a bit drowzy today. Thank you and I am going to carry on with my 10mg.

Gorgeousreader profile image
Gorgeousreader

I’ve taken Amitriptyline for about 6 years, it’s helped me control my IBS, I still get the odd issue but nowhere near as much as I used to..

The only side effect from the tablet I have is a dry mouth but it’s a small price to pay for helping deal with IBS… the tablet also helps me sleep…

I hope you find it helpful too..

Pollyboo profile image
Pollyboo in reply toGorgeousreader

Thank you started last night with Amitriptyline just made me feel a bit drowzy today, but as you say if this is going to help the IBS so be it.

Angie11 profile image
Angie11

I was prescribed this about 6 months ago by my gastroenterologist. I was suffering awful stomach pain during the night.

It has really helped. I take 10 mg was told to increase it to 25mg after a couple of weeks. I found that 10 mg was enough to take so didn’t increase it. It can cause constipation which is another reason I didn’t increase it.

It will make you feel a bit drowsy first thing in the morning but quickly passes.

Pollyboo profile image
Pollyboo in reply toAngie11

Thank you Angie 11, felt a bit drowzy this morning but hope for good results I am staying possitive.

Wallace-s profile image
Wallace-s

I took Amitriptyline many years ago and it changed my life.

My symptoms reduced to ‘occasions’ rather than everyday being in pain - good luck to you and hope it does what you need.

After around 2years of taking it I cut the tablets in half and found symptoms remained the same.

Unfortunately Amitriptyline gave me an intolerable dry mouth so I stopped taking it.

Fairly certain it’s advised to take at night!

Again best of luck md hope it works for you.

Pollyboo profile image
Pollyboo in reply toWallace-s

Thank you for your reply, yes I was told to take at night, so I started last night with my 10mg. Felt a bit drowzy but I am possitive this will pass. I am hopeing for some good outcome after 20 yrs of this IBS

Steffocat profile image
Steffocat

I was prescribed 10mg amitriptyline earlier this year when suffering stress-induced Ibs. It did help considerably. Taken at night, it helps you sleep a bit better too. It had no side effects for me.

Steffocat profile image
Steffocat in reply toSteffocat

sorry early in 2022!

Pollyboo profile image
Pollyboo in reply toSteffocat

Hi Steffocat, thank you for your reply. I took 10mg last night but just feel a bit drowzy which I am sure in time will pass. I think IBS causes us loads of stress and in turn the stress causes us IBS we just can't win really can we. I have put up with this for 20yrs but hope to calm things down.

Dolly38 profile image
Dolly38

Good morning PollybooWell I have like you been diagnosed with IBS 30 odd years ago and more recently diagnosed with Coeliac after all these years. No one bothered to test me for that one! My problem is chronic constipation which Amitriptyline made worse even when I only took 5mgs. Mebeverine did the same. But we are all different so give it a go. Worth trying anything.

Warmest regards

Lally

Pollyboo profile image
Pollyboo in reply toDolly38

Thank you for your reply. I have had IBS with loose stools for the past 20years, so hope for me the Amitriptyline will help with those too.It is frustrating not being tested for coeliac I thought they could tell by a simple blood test.

Wishing you well Pollyboo

Mindfulalways profile image
Mindfulalways

I have had severe chronic endless 'bladder' pain and urethritis. After 3 bladder distention ops and no improvement I was suspicious of diagnosis. I had also been told initially that this was IBS; but some symptoms didn't fit. I took amatryptaline to help me sleep at night and continue working. After several years I stopped taking this but continued taking Zydol (Tramadol). Amatryptaline made my mouth very dry. I had been diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis and the symptoms of this changed after 18 years with the arrival of breast cancer. I had stage 3 cancer and a mastectomy and was lucky not to have chemo except taking Tamoxifen for next 5 years and being diabetic on metformin which are both rough on guts. The last 12 months of pain in guts pelvis and haematuria in urine I became very unwell and had 3 fruitless trips to A&E. Now after 3 prescriptions of penicilin and finally amoxiclav there has been a marked improvement. I had asked to have a different barium xray as I had had 2 colonoscopies that showed nothing; negative CT Scan and negative ultrasound. Having my small bowel checked it was found I had very slow motility; intersusseption and diverticular disease. I had stopped Metforman and Tamoxifen to allow my bowel to recover and stopped Laxido as I went from one state to another. Now in my 19 year of this and my sister having nearly died of a bowel perforation; we are looking into incidence of problems and incidence of apendicitus in our family. I think I have a fistula that is not showing on scans and I recommend c-reactive protein test. To all out there suffering from chronic abdominal pain; I wish you relief; keep going and record your symptoms.

Pollyboo profile image
Pollyboo in reply toMindfulalways

You have been through the mill, I am sorry to read you have been so poorly,but we must a soldier on and that is what we do. I never give up looking for answers and after 20yrs and having my gall bladder removed 10yrs ago which didn't help I have got to the stage where I am willing to try Amitriptyline. Took 10mg last night and just a tiny bit drowzy today but I am sure this will get better in time.My sister died of a perferated bowel 8yrs ago which was very sad.

Keep smileing thats all we can do, with the love and help of family and friends.

Take care Pollyboo

tryfan004 profile image
tryfan004

Hello Pollyboo, i am sorry to hear of your horrible symptoms. I have been offered tramadol by my doctor. I didnt take them up on it as it seems to be a fall back when they are looking for a quick fix. I have been refered to a nurse to check my diet (fodmap specific) and after many years of experimentation i think i now know what doesnt agree with me. This sometimes varies depending how stressed i am and so it is not easy. I have also started twice weekly yoga classes and also one pillates class per week. If I could access face to face cbt on the nhs for ibs i would take this up as well. The gut/brain connection is very important to ibs and so in this stressful world it is very difficult to navigate a peaceful path to look after your mind and body. I wish you the best of luck.

Pollyboo profile image
Pollyboo in reply totryfan004

Thank you for your reply. I have tried FODMAP with private dietitions twice but I do not think for me this is food related. I have tried hypnotherapy, homeopathy, reflexology(which I still enjoy for relaxation)also Every Mind Matters so I seem to have got to the end of the road.Amitriptyline for me was the last resort and a decision I didn't want to take lightly. Last night I took 10mg of Amitriptyline and today feel a bit drowzy but hope in a few days on meds this will pass.

After 20yrs I just want to get a bit of normality back, this I am sure is all our goals

Take care Pollyboo

Harold2 profile image
Harold2

hi i have been taking Amitriptyline 10 mg for a few years they are good because they tend to ease the cramps and take the edge of anxiety,give them a go will make you a bit sleepy of a day till you get used to them good luck.

Pollyboo profile image
Pollyboo in reply toHarold2

Thank you Harold2, I did give them a go took 10mg last night feel a bit sleepy today,but not too bad. Anything is worth a try after 20 yrs of IBS.Take care Pollyboo

Crawdad profile image
Crawdad

I think it would be wise to try amiltriptaline.

I have used it on and off for years and it dues help to calm the nerves of the tummy. It is originally an antidepressant but is very rarely used for this and is used more for pain and discomfort. My only issue with it is I get bad dreams but, this doesn’t happen to everyone, and it’s not the end of the world.

I used to break my 10mg tablet in half a d just take 5 mg that’s suited me

Try it and see how you get on. You can always stop if you don’t feel happy.

Hope that helps.

Pollyboo profile image
Pollyboo in reply toCrawdad

Hi and thank you for taking the time to reply. Well I took 10g of Amitriptalyne last night. Feel a bit sleepy today but I am feeling positive this will pass in time. I feel my tummy just needs a bit of calming down and then I will feel more positive in my own mind.Everyone on here seems positive about this medication.

Pollyboo

Linley profile image
Linley

I take Mebeverine as and when, don't like taking caps unnecessarily.

Februarygirl profile image
Februarygirl

Hello Pollyboo,

Don’t be apprehensive about taking Amitriptyline. For me it has been an absolute lifesaver. I was prescribed 10mg about a year ago. The first packet was wonderful, I was ‘normal’ for the first time in years. Unfortunately it only lasted for 4 or 5 weeks and I quickly went back to the cramps and pains and urgency to go to the loo with hardly any time to get there. So my life shut back down again. I cancelled some social events I had been looking forward to and spent a lot of time indoors too nervous to go very far incase I got ‘ took short’. My doctor refused to prescribe a stronger Amitriptyline and just said take an Imodium when you go out. Not very helpful and totally lacking in sympathy and understanding. I then spoke to a different doctor at the practice and told him how bad it was and how it had affected me and thankfully he prescribed Amitriptyline 25g. I’ve been taking it for around six months now and it’s wonderful to feel free to come and go as I please. I don’t know if it actually does anything for me but I also take a Bio-kult live bacteria capsule every day too.

The tiredness wears off after a while and I do get a very dry mouth every so often but that’s a small price to pay for not being held to ransom by my ibs. Hope it all works out for you.

Pollyboo profile image
Pollyboo in reply toFebruarygirl

Hi, thank you for taking the time to reply. I have started 10mg at night as prescribed, but my GP also said I can take 20mg if needed. Feel a bit sleepy but as you have said I hope this will pass in time.I am going to persever as after 20yrs I feel I need to get my life back as I am not geting any younger.

I need to begin to be able to plan days out, holidays and meals out .

I have tried so many things over the last 20 yrs so this medication is perhaps a step foward that is what I hooe for.

Thank you once again take care Pollyboo

Pollyboo profile image
Pollyboo

Thank you Yani. I am on day10 now, at first I felt a little bit sleepy but that is wearing off now. I take 10mg at night and so far my tummy seems a lot calmer.I am feeling a bit more positive but I was very unsure about taking this medication but after 20 years of suffering with this IBS this was my last hope really.

Thank you for sharing the products you use also I will have a look at those. I have been taking the probiotic Alflorex for about 4 months now.

Take care Pollyboo

Clare- profile image
Clare-

my consultant recommended amitripaline too instead of sertraline which I been o for a few years. Waiting for GP letter

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