Hi there
I've been on 30mg amatriptalyn for 5 years for vulvodynia.
As I still have all the unpleasant symptoms, I've decided to come off the medication.
To be honest, I never really looked into the side effects, but since starting to come off I've been horrified!
I'm down to 10mg after 3 weeks, and I a little frightened to take the next step.
Does anyone have any experience of this?
All I can say talking from experience,is any antidepressant you should withdraw from very slowly. Take care.
Yes! I was prescribed 30mg per night for pain following a whiplash injury and then for control of arthritic pain. I took the Amitriptyline for many years, when I moved and changed GP in 2014 I was encouraged to reduce my dose because of the side effects associated with long term use. I tried to stop altogether (appalled as I was with what my doctor told me - can’t remember what he said so obviously he was right about cognitive impairment 🤔) and suffered what I can only describe as what I imagine cold turkey must feel like! So I had to have a phased withdrawal, with my GP’s support. And have stopped taking it altogether. At one point I tried using a pill cutter so I could take just 5mg a night! Anyway I succeeded, I don’t take it anymore. Stick with it, if you are down to 10mg a night you are nearly there. You have done brilliantly to get your dose down so quickly, I think you will be able to stop altogether soon. Good luck!
Thanks very much
I was taking 50mg for 3 years and like you it wasn't really helping my pelvic pain so went down to 25mg for a year then off all together. Didn't really notice any particular withdrawal symptoms.
Have you tried supplementing with magnesium glycinate?
Magnesium is an essential mineral required by our bodies for over 300 different processes but especially for muscle relaxation and proper nerve function. Many of us don't get anywhere near the amount we need through diet anymore due to modern farming methods depleting the magnesium in the soil. There are many different types of Magnesium, the most common being magnesium oxide. This is what is in many supplements you can buy from the store because it's cheap. Unfortunately it has an extremely low bioavailability which means only about 10% of what you take gets absorbed into the body. This in turn creates a laxative effect.
Now, as for magnesium GLYCINATE, that's a different story. The glycine molecule transports the magnesium straight through the intestinal wall giving one of the highest bioavailabilities of all types of magnesium and it has no laxative effect whatsoever. The added bonus for us chronic pain sufferers is that the glycine also helps to calm and regulate the central nervous system so helps with anxiety and stress related guarding (muscle tension) it also helps to calm the nerve pain by reducing the amplified pain signals from the irritated nerves around the tight muscles.
Also try a Quercetin and bromelain supplement. Quercetin is a mast cell stabilizer. It's these mast cells that create inflammation. The inflammation can irritate the nerves causing your symptoms. I use Solgar Quercetin Complex from amazon and it's really helped with the burning and tingling nerve pain in my genitals and pelvis.
Matt, Thank you for sharing this information, as well as your great explanation! I am going to order those products on amazon. Are you taking any prescription meds in addition to these two products? I suffer from pudendal neuralgia and interstitial cystitis. I have been to sooo many doctors, tried so many different things, and 4 years later, I am still struggling to find something that can manage my daytime pain and still be able to function!!
I'm going to check it out, thx
All wonderful suggestions Matt. I thank you to. I eat a whole pineapple once a week.
I had true and very painful pudendal nerve entrapment of my rectal branch on the right side of my iliac spine.
My decompression surgery was done 3.5 years too late but it made 20/10 life threatening, sleep depriving pain become 9/10. The BURNING pain was gone.
I had other complications which exacerbated my neuralgia and the doctors covered it up. After ten years, metal clips that migrated to my rectum and ileum bowel are OUT OF MY BODY. They should have been removed in 2008 but you know doctors; they were worried about a law suit.
Anyways, I have tried Quercetin on and off over the years and noticed no difference. You are inspiring me to try it again now that the three surgeries I needed in 2008 are complete. Thanks for explaining how quercitin works. I have been taking 10mg. Hydroxizine Hydrochloride for mast cell inhibition for the past six years. It will be interesting to see if I could wean off of it and use Quercetin instead?
How many mg of magnesium glycinate and Quercetin should I take a day? I have pelvic pain and vulvodynia.
Is your vulvodynia localized or generslized? Well if it is caused by pudenal neuropathy nerve blocks should be ideal by a very well experienced nerve specialist/urogyno/gyno .
Also just wondering if you have had lumbar pelvic MRI to rule out compression
All drugs have side effects.
Try accupuncture (western) they actually can put needles on the pubic bone and trigger areas do not worry does not hurt they can also do the back area
They might even put a needle like earng in your ear for a while. Like for a week The ear is their map. One section indicates pelvis.
Goodluck
Have you had a tubal ligation with metal clips OF mesh surgery?
Hi Beaumaris, I have been on amitriptyline for many years, on and off, at 20mg.
I don't find any problems with simply stopping it. But initially I was rather more cautious about it and did it gradually, partly by halving the tablets( with a sharp knive).
If you are anxious about potential side-effects of stopping, I would recommend that you now go on to 5mg for another week before stopping.
Best of luck
Many thanks, I started on 5mg last night. If I get very trippy again I might alternate 5 and 10 for a few days. Thx very much for your advice
So much pelvic pain, any advice?
Anyone used Prof J. Malone-Lee's approach for Chronic UTIs?
i'm new and feeling desperate!
Pelvic floor dysfuction 
What's wrong with me? 
