Amitriptyline: headache/pressure after stopped taking it

[Bamboopanda]

I have been on Amitriptyline for ibs since december stopped taking it last month as was not helping me and was just making me tired. I stopped through tapering the dose down gradually.

I Have this constant pressure on side of my head above my ears on both sides. This has arose since i have stopped taking Amitriptyline. This may be something else but was wondering if anyone else have side effects since being off amitrypline ?

[BethanW2]

hi there,

I have tried coming of amitriptyline many time. I’ve probably been on it for about 10years. Every time I come off it I get severe nausea to the point I have to go back on it. One time It even effected my speech. So frustrating. Even with tapering to the smallest amount by crushing it up. I never got bad headaches though.

I managed to come off it whilst pregnant, maybe the all day morning sickness covered up the withdrawal slightly…that lasted for 17weeks so maybe it got I it of my system by then. But after I had my son it was only a couple of months before I got put back on it. I find if I miss taking it for a few days I wake up with the nausea too.

It can be a great drug but also so difficult to stop taking.

[spabbygirl in reply to BethanW2]

I had problems with amitryptaline too, I felt thick headed, tired and just lousy, so my dr put me on lofepramine which is the same type of drug, a tricyclic antidepressant but a more modern type and it didn't have the side effects. it is more expensive for the NHS though so they don't like providing it. Now I have even stopped taking that as I am getting more fatigue & I always knew they did that but was ok about it then. I'm trying turmeric capsules now & whilst I haven't got the same pain relief I'm not so tired. its hard to know how to manage it but good luck anyway

[Zantecat]

Ha as you can see from comments this drug is awful to get off, you are lucky you have only been on it a short time, I have been in it so long I can’t remember, and that is simply because I can’t get of it!

I finally found a Gp willing to give me liquid to taper off, as cutting tablets never worked due to inaccuracy in measuring.

Side effects I have had are absolutely intolerable, to the point of not functioning.

Good luck with getting of this demon drug.