Amitriptyline

[heartmatters1]

I have been prescribed Amitriptyline for my severe anxiety. Have anyone on here been prescribed it? If so what are your experiences of it?

[Delzek]

Yes didn't help just made it worse tbh. It did help me sleep though, and it made me itch like hell

[heartmatters1 in reply to Delzek]

Thanks I will bare that in mind

[Scampmummy in reply to Delzek]

Hi, is itching a side affect with amitriptyline. I am taking it for joint pain to help me sleep. It does help with my anxiety as well. My new doctor told me it also helps with IBS - never knew that.

I’ve had two hip replacements in same hip (long story). I’m 74 and my IBS is really bad last 6 months. Is it normal to feel nauseous some days?

I’ve only recently joined this site.

[Mizzmanicins]

Hi I am on amitriptyline for sleep, bowels, and anxiety. I think it's a good drug. In the beginning I started sleeping better, and things that used to cause me anxiety got easier. And I gradually got better BM. Itdoes take a while to get benefits from amitriptyline. I thought its a wonderful medication for all my complex conditions but I found I got used to it, therefore it gradually stopped working

[heartmatters1 in reply to Mizzmanicins]

Thanks for your response. I suppose everyone experiences different things. The only way I will know is by giving it a go.

[Fergie53 in reply to Mizzmanicins]

Yes I take Amitriptyline occasionally usually to help me sleep but helps calm the gut as well and then after a while as you said it doesn’t work so well so I’ve found take it occasionally but not all the time…

[Edgar77]

I was prescribed this for fibromyalgia and it has helped a bit. I was drowsy the first 3 days then it settled down. Much better than other anti depressants I have tried. Unfortunately it is not so effective now so I may need a stronger dose it maybe it's a flair up that will pass.

[heartmatters1 in reply to Edgar77]

Thanks Edgar77. Glad you had a positive experience. What dosage are you on?

[Edgar77 in reply to heartmatters1]

Only 10mg.

[ANB80]

Hi. I have been taking Amitriptyline for many years. I take it for anxiety and IBS, but it is supposed to have quite a few positive qualities. But the main reason for me was anxiety. I have found that it certainly helped me. But I guess it also depends on the dosage. I take 3 tablets every night. I believe you can take up to 7. I did start out on 1, and then over time got increased (by the doctor) to 3. So, I have been on 3 tablets for about 7 years now, and it certainly works. However, there are some rare occasions I will have a panic attack if I am in need of the toilet and I know there aren't any around.

A couple of years ago I did try to wean off Amitriptyline. But within a couple of days I was suddenly mega anxious about everything. So, it is definitely working for me.

[heartmatters1 in reply to ANB80]

Thanks ANB80. Hoping I get a positive experience too. My anxiety is through the roof at the mo. I have other health issues. What dosage are you on?

[ANB80 in reply to heartmatters1]

I have various health issues too, sadly 😩 I take 3 tablets every night. I don't remember the actual dose of each tablet though, and I don't have the box to hand to see. Sorry.

Hope the tablets work for you too 🤞

[MuppetChristmasCarol]

I was prescribed it at 30mg per night (which is a teeny dose) for my anxiety and it does take two months or so to really kick in but it’s wonderful and really helps.

After a several months I was gradually able to reduce the dose to one 10mg tablet at night but cannot get any lower than that.

If I gave a flare up of anxiety I take two and then drop back down to one when I’m feeling better.

Gives me much better quality of life so I am happy to take this for life 🙂

[heartmatters1 in reply to MuppetChristmasCarol]

Thanks for your positive response. Best wishes

[spabbygirl]

I had it for nerve pain but it made me feel awful, sort of thick headed and drunk, so my GP changed me to the same type of drug, its a tricyclic antidepressant, but a newer version called Lofepramine, its been fantastic no side effects at all. Do ask your GP if you can have similar if you get side effects, they are told to start with the cheapest drugs first and see how the patient gets on, if they don't suit then they can try a newer one.

[heartmatters1 in reply to spabbygirl]

Thanks for your response & advice. Best wishes.

[Hidden]

I originally took Amitriptyline to reduce the pain associated with my IBS-C but it didn’t work up to a dose of 100mg! I was taking Linaclotide at the time so was able to tolerate a dose which way above the recommended dosage for IBS, so severe was my pain. I was over 65 years at the time, and was more concerned about taking an acetylcholine receptor blocker for long periods in view of the suggestion that they can be associated with an increased risk of dementia longterm. Interestingly, when I stopped the TCA suddenly at this dose, I had a severe migraine, although I am only accustomed to experiencing them very infrequently.