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Original poster

Amitriptyline

39 replies

Ahnowcomon · 02/07/2021 19:25

I have had huge issues with sleep since I have had kids. Two of my dcs slept badly for years, constant waking, totally unpredictable. We tried everything under the sun but it just took time. One of my dc had severe reflux and would wake constantly screaming every 45 mins for years, we brought him to drs, had allergy tests, brought him to osteopath, slept beside him, put him in a cot, checked for any physical problems with a Dr, nothing came up except bad reflux.
As a result my body just can't sleep , it's had a huge affect on my ability to sleep. Ironically I was someone who was a great sleeper and I really needed sleep , I would easily sleep 10 hours a night pre-kids and felt great on that
For around 7/8 years I had constant interruptions at night..in the end I just couldn't sleep and woke constantly even when my dcs all sleep now. I spent years like this and kept trying natural methods , magnesium, valerian, camomile, loads of exercise, avoiding caffeine, avoiding screens : all of which did absolutely nothing, literally nothing....
Finally after years of not really sleeping I went to the Dr and got amitriptyline, just 10mg for 4 weeks, it was a miracle cure for me, I felt amazing , like a new person!! I only took a month's worth and was fine, a year later I've had insomnia again and asked for it again and got a month's supply at 10mg. It works absolute wonders for my sleep, I feel so much better and am so much happier. I'm worried about finishing it , I try and alternate nights and i find my sleep is crap on the nights I don't take it, I wake and can't sleep again. I feel weird asking for it again as I'm sure it's dangerous fo become dependent and would drs discourage it's use? Also I'm worried that it's very bad for the liver, I've read that this drug causes liver issues?
I guess I'm looking for other people's experiences of this drug? Is it v bad fir the liver? Also is it weird asking for another prescription (I just had a month's supply) . Before a month's supply worked and I didn't take it for a year. I just feel embarrassed asking for it and having to book an appointment for this but I gave huge problems with sleep and its been amazing for me.

OP posts:
Livingintheclouds · 02/07/2021 19:28

My friend's mother has been on it for years as an anti depressant. I'm sure it's fine - talk to your doctor.

IamChipmunk · 02/07/2021 19:31

My dh took it for ages for nerve pain. Years not months

RHTawneyonabus · 02/07/2021 19:32

I don’t think it can be bad because the Drs think I should be on 10mg a day to manage my migraines and I can renew the prescription whenever I want. As it is a only take them when I feel one coming on that that has proved very effective. I do feel groggy in the morning though.

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Ipanemama · 02/07/2021 19:32

NHS website says it’s okay to take it long term. If you search mn there are a few older threads where posters talk about being on it long term. And some of the side effects.

Sideorderofchips · 02/07/2021 19:34

I'm on 150mg for depression and anxiety

My liver is fine

FawnFrenchieMum · 02/07/2021 19:34

I’m on it as a pain reliever and have been for a couple of years now and know other people who are on it as an anti-depressant. 10mg is a low starting dose so I doubt would cause too many issues.
Another medication I’m on can significantly effect your liver so I have three monthly blood tests for that and I’ve not had any issues yet.
Maybe say your whole mood is lifted purely by being to sleep and could you remain on the medication to keep you level.

Ridingthegravytrain · 02/07/2021 19:35

Have you tried melatonin. It’s the only thing that gets me to sleep, and is a synthesised hormone. Tbh worth trying as a substitute for amitriptyline which made me feel awful

SoddingWeddings · 02/07/2021 19:37

It can be prescribed for all sorts of of things long term. Whether your GP is happy for it to be used as a sleeping pill long term is a different question, and only one they can answer.

pooiepooie25 · 02/07/2021 19:38

I have been on it for fibromyalgia for the past two years. I absolutely love the stuff as gone from the shittiest sleeper ever to sleeping so well!

Orf1abc · 02/07/2021 19:40

Any medication for insomnia should only be short term, because it masks the problem rather than resolving it. However amitriptyline is pharmacologically safe to take on a long term basis, so you won't be doing harm if the GP is willing to prescribe it.

(I take it for insomnia, but the GP officially prescribes it for chronic pain.)

littleredberries · 02/07/2021 19:44

I agree it's a wonder drug for insomnia. I have previously taken it when nothing else would work.
It's highly addictive as a sleeping aid and is only prescribed long term for anxiety and depression issues. Eventually I relearned to sleep once I addressed the sources of my cognitive stress.
Have you tried 5-htp?

Sweetmayday · 02/07/2021 19:44

I've been on it 5 years for fibromyalgia. 10mg it really helps with my sleep also.

cricketmum84 · 02/07/2021 19:47

I'm on it for nerve pain. I still don't sleep very well though unfortunately. I would be wary about short term use as I'm sure you need to come off it slowly not just stop and start.

There are better meds for sleep. Mirtazapine was a life saver for me!

Original poster
Ahnowcomon · 02/07/2021 19:50

Thanks so much for the replies, very helpful.
I agree about sleep medication masking the problem and this was very much my thinking in the years and years of insomnia I had before taking it, actually my big regret is not getting this years ago tbh. I tried all the sleep hygiene methods out there and consistently but they just don't work at all for me when my insomnia is bad, like they did absolutely nothing at all.
I just read that it could damage the liver and it freaked me out a bit. Also maybe it could become a crutch but I've only had 4 weeks worth and I've spaced them out over a.longer period so more like two months.. I just now worry about not having the option of having them but I guess only my dr can decide that.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ahnowcomon · 02/07/2021 19:53

What's 5 htp? Yes , I think you could be right about becoming dependant on it. Yes and taking it on and off is probably bad but I only had a month's supply so its either take it every night or take it every other night.

OP posts:
SapatSea · 02/07/2021 19:54

I uesd to take 30mg as a migraine preventative. My teenage son takes it for migraine at 20mg (he couldn't take propanalol as he has low blood pressure). I loved it , I think it helped with the chronic migraine because I had such good sleep on it. 10mg is nothing. IIRC it is also prescribed to children for bed wetting.

Original poster
Ahnowcomon · 02/07/2021 19:55

I think it was the ideal sleep medication for me as I stressed that I can't be knocked out or feel out of it the next day (I think this is common with sleep medication). I also have no issues waking with it in the night, its just so much easier to get back to sleep.

OP posts:
DaisyDreaming · 02/07/2021 19:55

I’ve been on it about 20 years. Best to avoid all drugs when possible but better this than addictive sleeping medication

IDidntFloatUpTheLaganInABubble · 02/07/2021 19:55

I have had it for 6 months for nerve pain. Hasn't made me sleep better, bit gutted about that!

noscoobydoodle · 02/07/2021 19:56

My DH takes it long term for another issue but his sleep has been revolutionised by it as a bonus side effect! He has never slept so well or so much in his life! He has it on repeat with no restrictions (unlike naproxen which was restricted because of potential liver issues). It sounds like perhaps it's the fact that it's sleep aid rather than for pain etc that is the issue but I'm sure your go can explain and maybe find an alternative medication.

Ipanemama · 02/07/2021 20:10

Posters who are on it for nerve pain, how long until you noticed it kicking in and how much are you on? Thanks.

I’ve been on it a week now.

cricketmum84 · 02/07/2021 20:16

@Ipanemama

Posters who are on it for nerve pain, how long until you noticed it kicking in and how much are you on? Thanks.

I’ve been on it a week now.

I've been on it about 5 weeks now, 10mg every night. It was probably a week ago that I noticed my legs and feet being more comfortable in a night (I have motor neuropathy).

It only works for nerve pain in about 25% of people so please don't be afraid to go back to your gp if you find that it isn't having an affect after 4-6 weeks x

CromfordGreyhound · 02/07/2021 20:18

I was prescribed this after being hospitalised with severe migraine back in 2010 and been taking it ever since. I take the dose at bedtime and it does seem to help with sleeping well.

I have it on repeat prescription and not had any issues with being prescribed it. For me its a much better option than debilitating migraines. On being discharged from hospital the consultant described it as a versatile drug with many uses from anti-depressants to migraine to chronic pain reliever.

It can lead to high liver function readings in some cases but your GP can advise if it would be suitable for you.

Good luck Smile

36degrees · 02/07/2021 20:18

I've been taking it for migraine and trigeminal nerve pain but have just had my repeat prescription refused by my GP as it's only licensed for use as an antidepressant. I'm gutted because I'd successfully managed my pain for 2 years, I had to give up my job before that because taking one week in four off to lie in a darkened room just wasn't sustainable. I would still definitely ask though, as it seems to come down to the individual GP - I'm now trying to change practice as mine has gone downhill since the practice lead retired at the start of the year.

Blackopal · 02/07/2021 20:24

Take 10mg a day to prevent migraines. Works very well and also improved my sleep.
Have been on it for years and don't intend to stop.

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