Been taking amitriptyline for several years to help me sleep but no longer works. Stopped taking cold turkey 10 days ago and withdrawl is bad. Can anyone give any positive encouragement please .
Amitriptyline withdrawl: Been taking... - Thyroid UK
Amitriptyline withdrawl
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Poor you, I sympathise. If you had posted you were thinking of stopping I'd have suggested gradually cutting down but now you have actually stopped for a length of time I now hesitate to say put a little bit back in case that's not the way to do it and you have to go cold turkey again. I hope someone with some experience comes along to help you soon but may be have a word with a pharmacist as well and see what their advice would be.
I to am on Amitriptyline for my migraines. A lot of these meds do build up on u, and weaken in their effects. I hate that u went cold turkey, cause i know that prob made things really rough on u. With any kind of med like this u need to ween off of them. (Antidepressants, sleeping meds, etc.) Good news is u will stop those bad withdraw symptoms. U may want to try some natural teas, hot soak baths with mineral salts, meditation (they have many guided meditations on u-tube that r awesome), also Id try a vitamin regiment of magnesium (helps with pain and sleep), Vitamin D with a helper of K-2, Vitamin B complex, fish oils, and a hemp oil or Hemp, Chia and Flax seed/powders. I wish u the best and hope u find something that helps. Blessings
instead of coming off it reduce it slowly, our GP told me that my dd12 had to reduce it by 1/6 dose once a week, then 1/6 dose twice a week and then every day; then 2/6 dose once a week etc.
She couldn't decide which day she wanted withdrawal so I secretely reduced it by 1/30 every day for last two weeks, even then she got headaches the first couple of days.
And they say this isn't addictive!!!
I to stopped cold turkey as it didn't really help with sleep and made me feel like a zombie. hang in there the symptoms will ease and you will feel more awake
in reply to kathgallagher
Ah.. Thanks so much. It can be done then ?
Thanks everyone. I was just fed up of taking meds that didnt work. Should have done it grad. I realise now will see doc later in week if still struggling. I was naive to think I could come off straight away. I was on a very low dose . I have ordered some 5http. So hope that helps. Will get walking today and hope I can do this. I have loads of tablets left but will try and resist. WARNING . Anyone offered amitriptyline think twice. It works for awhile and then you are stuck. I took it during sleepless hyperthyroidism problems.
I was on Amitriptyline for over three years for nerve pain but stopped several times cold turkey as during that time and finally came off it completely about three months ago because it was causing heart palpitations and dizziness. It stopped being so effective for me as you describe so I was taking increasing amounts and finding I was extra fatigued the following day. I had a major flare up of my neuropathic pain each time I stopped and this was really unpleasant. However if it hadn't been for the heart palps I would still be taking it because it is preferable to alternatives I've taken since and it was more effective for my nerve pain too. I agree about thinking twice though although it really helped me.
I'm now trying to get off Duloxetine - which seems to be a more powerful anti-depressant drug which I'm also taking for neuropathy - although my GP wants me to stay on it and increase doses. I find it scary taking drugs that are so difficult to get back off. I went cold turkey on this one last week and my husband ended up running me through to A&E because I was vomiting with a terrible headache and stomach pain and completely off my trolley! I was wanting to stop it because it doesn't seem to be helping the nerve pain but to be fair I also have a stomach ulcer/ gastric problems from NSAIDs.
I wish they would refer for us for thorough investigations into the course of our problems before sticking us on these drugs. I now feel like a person stuck in a really uncomfortable rabbit suit and the zip has broken - sort of trapped! Duloxetine only comes in capsules so I'm on the lowest available dose now and am going to open the capsules and take a bit less everyday.
Hi,
It's awful you are suffering at the moment but hopefully it won't last much longer. I too was on amytriptaline for many years. I was in real pain last year with gallatones and due to this stopped taking all my meds, that was April and I've not gone back. I was lucky no side effects, but I do get pain in my leg every now and then. I was taking it for sciatica.
Yes it did initially help with sleep and the dose was upped due to sleep problems but in the end I needed other things to help me sleep, eg antihistamine. But even this stopped working.
My doc wants me to go back on but I still haven't taken it, maybe if my leg starts really playing up again, I can't go through that again.
I would recommend if possible to get your vit b12 tested as this can cause sleep problems as can vit d.
My sleep is a lot better now, still very tired, but sleep at night does help getting through the day. I have had my gallbladder out, maybe connected?
I do hope you stay strong, my only other thought is it possible you are suffering new symptoms that were previously covered up by the amytriptaline?
Good luck
Hi Although you are not using it as an antidepressant it is in fact one. For this reason you need to take 6 weeks to reduce to nothing , very gradually. I should now ask the pharmacist for advice.
Best wishes,
Jackie
God, how I love amitriptyline. I've been taking it on and off for years to help with periods of insomnia. A couple of times it's not worked but for the most part it's just dandy. I think the longest I've taken it for without a break was when I was pregnant with my second child. It may help that I'm also taking lofepramine for my intractable bipolar depression; same family so probably not too bad when stopping after a long period on. Good luck with your sleeping and I hope you either find something that helps, or that your sleep issues resolve themselves.
in reply to hose1975
Really pleased it works for you. Many people with pain problems also find great releif and may have to take it long term to get some satisfaction out of life. But when i only needed it for insomnia and it no longer works it seems pointless. Hope you do well.
For those who enjoy research I recommend Fred Von Stieff's book Brain in Balance, it is an in-depth explanation of what happens to the neurotransmitters in the brain (of which there are 8) when drugs of any kind are used, not just illegal substances but prescribed medications, withdrawal symptoms when coming off and how the brain wants to get back into balance. It is a complete wake up call to what we ingest. The book is aimed both at medical experts, also lay readers and is not too hard to understand, I fully recommend this riveting advanced understanding of the importance of our neurotransmitters. We try to solve one problem and end up with more than another, sadly the majority of medical advisers are unaware of this knowledge but you can be!
hi Lindsey,i also take the same pill 10mg. only 1 per night .and most times works ok .when i tried to stop them cold turkey didnt work.so i ust went down to 1/2 per night and was ok .took for 2 weeks . had to go back on them year later. but its better to come down bit by bit.good luck
shawsAdministrator
Are not doctors aware that anti-depressants can have an affect on the levothyroxine. Excerpt
Antidepressants
- Tricyclics (e.g., Amitriptyline)
- Tetracyclics (e.g., Maprotiline)
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., Sertraline)
Concurrent use of tri/tetracyclic antidepressants and Levothyroxine may increase the therapeutic and toxic effects of both drugs, possibly due to increased receptor sensitivity to catecholamines. Toxic effects may include increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias
and CNS stimulation; onset of action of tricyclics may be accelerated. Administration of sertraline in patients stabilized on Levothyroxine may result in increased Levothyroxine requirements."
Are they also unaware that depression can be due to low T3 in hypo patients and that T3 added to T4 can relieve it and can be a side effect of levothyroxine.
It would appear to be that they are not knowledgeable in anything with regard to the thyroid gland.
drugs.com/pro/levothyroxine...
I cannot copy an excerpt from this link but you will see under the heading 'Evidence Base for Thyroid Augmentation' that T3 is one of the oldest evidence based treatment.......
ajp.psychiatryonline.org/do...
Ask your GP to add a little T3 to your levothyroxine.
in reply to shaws
Thanks but i'm not on levo. I am euthyroid now and on nothing having been on carbimazole for hyperthyroidism for 2 years. In remission. At least thats a success story. (For now)
I am pleased for you and am glad you are in remission and hope it continues. I have read that some have recurrences but there's no reason not to continue with the type of treatment you've had several times. If you'd like to read this you can email louise.warvill@thyroiduk.org and ask for a copy of the Pulse online article by Dr Toft.
Thanks so much. Here's hoping. 
Hi Lindseyj, have experience of coming off seroxat, and that was really dreadful. It's a particularly hard drug to stop. The first time was cold turkey which was a huge mistake. It made me vomit all the time and I lost control of my bowels. I was totally sleepless too. I only went two weeks lying on a mattress on the floor because when I raised myself I had terrible vertigo.
The next time I talked to my sister who is a nurse and I did it so gradually over a 3 month period. It was still hard I won't pretend but taking it down by half a tab every other day, or even 1/4 tab some days is how I did it. It's a horrible drug, lots of law suits in America the side effects are so bad, but this just made me more determined. Even two years after coming off it I still had what I can only describe as huge electric shocks, and a buzzing that went around in my head.
Expect to have problems sleeping for a while, and to have a physical and psychological craving, but you can definitely do this, and feel a lot better for it I'm sure! Use everyone around you for help and support, nap when you can.
Good luck! X
in reply to
Thanks so much.
Hi you have done very very staying off it for 10 days. I was on a low dose of amitriptyline and it took me four attempts to get off it as the withdrawal is so bad. I has to reduce my dose very gradually and in the end I was just taking a crumb every other day and then every few days until I gradually stopped. Good luck, I hope you feel better soon.
Can I ask what dose you were on? I am only on 20mg at night and wish to withdraw. I was just going to stop as it is such a small dose, but you have got me wondering if that is such a good idea!
in reply to fixit
I was taking only 10 mg. I would do it slowly. I do feel I will feel much better. That brain fog feeling has already g one. Just getting very hot sweats and not sleeping above 3hours a night. I have a quiet couple of weeks work wise so will persist.
fixit in reply to
Thanks Lindsey. I really am surprised that 10mg gives withdrawal. So glad I read your post. Good luck
Hi Lindseyj
Ive just been put on amytriptylene as i cant sleep and to help with pain and to be honest it doesnt do anything for me. Well it does i feel even groggier in the mornings. Well done for staying off it for so long. I wish you a speedy Recovery xxx
It's amazing when you ask around how many people are on it. Thanks for encouragement. I will post my progress.
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I used to have 5 mg only so had no option but to go cold turkey as there is no smaller dose, in fact there is not even a 5 mg tab with 10 being the lowest, but I had a syrup.
I had no withdrawels at all so was lucky,,, as you were on 10 you could have redeuced first, but as it has been 10 days I think you are probably over the worst,, hang in there!!
For the person on 20 thinking of going cold turkey,,dont,,reduce first
I have been coming off amitriptyline since Nov. 2014. half a tablet of (5mg) for 50 evenings, quarter of a tablet (2.5mg) for 35days and no tablets for the last 6days. Last week I felt terrible then all of a sudden felt quite a lot better yesterday evening and slept well. I have been on Amitriptyline for well over 20 years due to chronic back pain. It really helped me and although somewhat limited I was able to start living again. It was worth it for me at the time, and I do not regret taking it. When taking it for pain I was involved in a self help pain group and we discovered that if it stopped having an effect you could either lower the dose or raise the dose to kick start the pain relief. So I guess any change in dose will have an effect. I'm pleased I took it slowly to come off.
Hi!
I was on Ami for over a year, prescribed because I was going through a very difficult and stressful part of my life and to help me sleep. I was on SSRI (citalopram) but it freaked me out and gave me disturbing side effects so amitriptyline was given.
When outside influences had resolved somewhat I decided to quit ami as I don't particularly like taking drugs unless really necessary. I was told to reduce my dose gradually over a period of around 3 months. My original dose was 25mg which I eventually halved with a pill cutter. Then GP gave me 10mg for a bit and then these were halved until zero day!..................I was then diagnosed with hypo-T after a routine blood test for something else (suspected gout in toe) and doc said no wonder things were difficult for you! Out of the frying pan etc....lol!
I was on 150mm a day for 35 years, reduced them myself to 50mm and then stopped completely, once i stopped taking them and my bidy got used to it i started loosing my weight again and went in to loose 2 stone. The only problem was my drs did not check my thyroid levels and this caused me to go overactive instead of being underactive. Now on new doseage of levothyroxine and hoping that the new level orts me out.
Just want to say, well done! You are probably over the worse by now and things should only get better
I have been on Amitriptyline for about 20years I started on 10mg which were increased to 50mg by my rheumatologist. Over the years they have lost their affect, didn't make me drowsy. I decided after talking to my gp to come off them, he suggested reducing to 25mg for awhile then lower again. I am still on 25mg and have nights where I barely sleep at all. I am retired but help with childcare for my grandchildren, I am only just coping. I wish I had never took them, but no one told me much about them or possible side affects. We went away last year abroad and for some reason I forgot them, had insomnia really bad. I went to the chemist there but they had not heard of them, so recommended some herbal tablets which just about got me through. The other thing I found when I was away was very bad stomach cramps, which having spoken to my doctor can happen if you just stop taking them. So it seems we must wean ourselves slowly and surely off them. Very interesting to hear so many comments. Good luck
Thanks . no stomach cramps. So as someone said earlier I may be over worst. I don't want to give in. All your posts are really helping me.
gabkad in reply to
Supposedly lavender helps to induce sleep. (I don't like the smell but there are people who do). I suppose putting lavender scented bathsalts in the water may help for relaxation. Add epsom salt and I guess it's a double whammy. And camomile tea on top of it all.
Hops are supposed to be what makes people sleepy from drinking beer and there are such things as pillows containing hops.
A tablespoon of honey at bedtime is also supposed to help with sleep.
Kitchen medicine.
I tried amitriptyline years ago because pain prevented sleep. I got nightfrights. Of course the GP just looked at me like i'm out of my mind which I'm sure I was by then. Which is so weird considering the dose was so small. I have been taking a sleeping pill for 14 years. That works. It helps to get rid of the muscle pain. I don't think at this stage I can easily stop and have no intention of doing so either. What works, works. Myoclonic jerks prevent me from sleeping otherwise. I'd be falling asleep and waking up suddenly all night otherwise.
I came off it cold turkey because I was having palpitations and was feeling so ill. This was quite a few years ago but I. Wondering if it was because I was a bit hyper rather than the medication, as I wasn't diagnosed then although my GP had said previously that my bloodtests had shown that I was likely to become hypo at some time in the future! At the time I was dealing with severe back pain and just wanted to get that sorted out so didn't think to question it. Anyway , I came off it and continued to feel dreadful for quite a while but eventually I felt better. But, I have been left with poor sleeping pattern and wake up every day feeling as though I haven't slept at all. Clemmie
I'm sorry you're having these issues. I also tried going cold turkey with Klonopin after about 7 mos on a low dose. Ended up in ER. I take amitriptyline at night for a sleep disorder, been taking it for about 15 yrs (25mg x 3 each night). I vary it by 1/2 tab periodically based on how I'm sleeping. I've not had any side effects from it. Weaning over a period of at least 1 month would have been preferable, but definitely see your doc soon if still no relief in the next couple of days. Good luck!
I have been taking Amitriptyline for many years - but only 10mg - and have recently stopped it. I know that lack of sleep is an awful side-effect of coming off it. I am taking Montmorency Cherry Juice which seems to be helping a little. I know you need to come off it slowly. Good luck.
Karen
Titrate off more slowly and look forward to losing that insane craving for food/sweets. It really helped fybromyalgia, but is not a great thing to be on unless it really helps you.
Hi really sorry you are suffering, I would have suggested lowering dose overtime however when I was on 125mg per day I felt like a zombie all the time and just stopped. Reaction to this did disappear and was happy when I felt human again. Speak with your GP or pharmasist if considering stopping any long term meds.
I went cold turkey coming off this, I was only on a low dose as it was prescribed as one of the many IBS tablets I was on. Even though it was a low dose I did feel pretty rotten for a while but I stuck with it and I feel so much better now.
I would give yourself some time to relax in a lovely hot bubble bath and just keep telling yourself it would soon pass. Ooh chocolate helped me too!! 
Best wishes
Sammi
I would suggest not taking anything like that, antidepressants etc.. and treat underlying causes instead. At least it wasn't benzo's..some people are still ill 5 years after stopping them, some permanently damaged.
My mum was on this drug for years and like you just decided to stop. Not the best way to come off it . She had mood swings and terrible headaches, the good news is she now back to her old self and sleeps very well. I think it took her about a month, hang in there.
Thanks everyone. I had a better sleep last night and less hot sweats. Think I may be seeing some light at the end of tunnel. Hope at last. Will post again in a few days.
Congratulations on joining the people who decided drugs are more toxic than helpful with insomnia.
Since you've gone cold turkey...the upside is you will be done with all the MAJOR side effects in 2 weeks. It takes 6 months to get sleep back. What works is the following: liquid dose 1 tsp Omegas at bedtime with hot almond milk. This also helps remove wicked withdrawals. Also weekly massages to rid body of toxins. You earned it. I too stopped the sleep aid Xanax. Its one year later and I sleep better and am healthy without it. Congratulations again. write me anytime for support. You will do this! Its 75% mental battle. M.
You made it this far.,..hang in. You are a winner for stopping it. Don't worry you didn't go gradual. There is a post here from someone who also stopped. She feels great and you will too. Don't focus on when...for now, vaporizer at night at massage as a reward. M.
Thank you to everyone that lending suggestions and support during my trying time...So glad I'm back to normal except a few extra pounds! Thanks again.
Well done for trying!
Keep reminding yourself why you are doing this, and that it will get better eventually. If stopping 'cold tukey' is too hard, could you try coming off the amytriptiline more gradually?
One tablet of Melatonin (from Biovea) helps me sleep, with comlpete darkness in the room. Try strong Chamomile tea early in the evening and less tea or coffe during the day? Try to get out for a walk every day? Take up a new hobby to get your mind off it?
Have faith in your efforts. Good luck!
Just wanted to say thank you. I was goven these meds because I've had a headache for a few weeks. Doc said they was tension headaches. Said she would give me some pain killers foe night time.. imagine my suprise when I read the leaflet. Why do they give these out willy nilly.. has anyone got any natural ways to realeve stress? I already go to the gym every other day. And I walk nearly every day. I have an over active thyroid which effects my sleep some times. Dnt fancy being addicted to prescription. Already pop enough pills with the thyroid problem x
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