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Original poster

Amitriptyline

65 replies

TheVolturi · 15/01/2022 10:25

I have been given Amitriptyline for nerve pain (sciatica and back pain) should have started it years ago but always been hesitant.
Tried 10mg for the first time last night and I slept so well! Still woke up when ds was wandering but I got back to sleep easily which is amazing, so I'm sold on it for that reason alone. Feel fine this morning too, not groggy like I feared.
The thing I want to ask if, how long does it take to work for pain? The Dr told me yesterday that it should help pretty much right away but the leaflet says 2 weeks to see any difference. I don't know why she'd say that. Unless it can work faster 🤔
Has anyone taken Amitriptyline for pain?

OP posts:

SpookyScarySkeletons · 17/01/2022 12:40

It helps me enough to sleep sometimes (not the last 5 nights though. I take 40mg on an evening for motor and sensory neuropathy so basically I can't feel my legs and feet yet they constantly hurt like I'm sat in a bees nest.

Might be time to increase my dosage again.

Curlygirl06 · 17/01/2022 12:55

@ribbetyraaa

I have been on this for a couple of months for nerve pain and it’s worked well. Has anyone any info about coming off it? I’d like to stop it if I can but don’t want the pain to badly reflare and then take weeks to get under control again. My dr just said to stop when I wanted. I’ve started to skip a night to see how it goes

I took it for sciatica, 2 tablets a night I think. When I came off it, I didn't want to just stop as I'd read that that could cause issues if you did that. I started by taking 1 tablet a night for a week, then 1 tablet every other night for a week, then every 2 days etc until I'd finished that strip of tablets. I've got one strip left just in case I need them in future. I've been fine.

DefyingSanity · 17/01/2022 15:09

@TheVolturi yes it definitely increased my appetite too and also slowed my metabolism. I took it for 1-2 years everyday and without even realising (god knows how) I had gained an extra 2 stone. It made me really depressed with my body image and my metabolism has never been the same since.

Obviously you have to assess pro's against the con's for your own personal circumstances. I decided that I no longer needed to take it as the side effects outweighed the reason I was taking it.

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onedayoranother · 17/01/2022 16:32

My daughter was prescribed it for pain and was told it would take time to build up. She took it daily for 30 days no change in the pain so she stopped.

ribbetyraaa · 17/01/2022 16:55

Thanks @Curlygirl06 I think I will follow your plan

Huntswomanonthemove · 17/01/2022 17:18

The pharmacist told me to take it for at least four weeks, as it can take that long to work. I'm now just over four weeks and bingo, I can feel some benefit from it. My advice is to stick with it. I've read that it can take even longer than four weeks.

Gilead · 17/01/2022 22:26

@DefyingSanity that is really strange about your weight gain. I haven’t been on Amitriptyline for forty years, they would prescribe it because I ended up anorexic last time. This time it’s with strict caveats, none of the other routes worked. But, been on it three months and my appetite is starting to wane. Having said that, I doubt they’ll worry as thanks to three years of non stop steroids, I have gone from 12/14 to 22!

Wishihadanalgorithm · 17/01/2022 22:32

I’ve taken it for pain from bruxism for about 4 years, I vary between 10mg at bed time to 30mg depending on how bad the pain is. Doesn’t seem to make me sleepy or gain weight.

Mumteedum · 17/01/2022 22:32

I tried it for a CFS but side effects were worse than any benefits for me. Horrendous dry mouth, felt like a zombie...BUT these started pretty much straight away for me so perhaps you are lucky if these are not a problem.

DefyingSanity · 18/01/2022 07:00

[quote Gilead]@DefyingSanity that is really strange about your weight gain. I haven’t been on Amitriptyline for forty years, they would prescribe it because I ended up anorexic last time. This time it’s with strict caveats, none of the other routes worked. But, been on it three months and my appetite is starting to wane. Having said that, I doubt they’ll worry as thanks to three years of non stop steroids, I have gone from 12/14 to 22![/quote]
Oh really? I googled it at the time and quite a few people online said the same as me with the weight gain but the medics obviously say "there's no evidence".

kkneat · 18/01/2022 07:46

I have taken 30mg at night for 2 years started at 10mg then built up for nerve damage caused by slipped discs. I found it really good for helping me sleep and relaxing my body which helps with the pain as well, I’ve never slept so well in my life! I take it early at about 7.30pm as if I take it any later I feel like a zombie in the morning. I take naproxen in the day and tramadol if I am having a lot of pain. Sometimes I can just manage on paracetamol. I have put on weight but put that down to be less active

Daftasabroom · 18/01/2022 08:03

I had a fusion to fix a severe stenosis and spondylolisthesis which was causing severe sciatica. The op was remarkably effective but I have some permanent nerve damage from living with a collapsed disc for so long. Amitriptyline has been really good at controlling the cramps and fasciculations in my legs. I take a base dose of 10mg and add another 10mg if I've been doing anything that might aggravate my back.

Original poster

TheVolturi · 18/01/2022 21:05

I'm not wanting to tempt fate here, but today was the first day I could actually stand up straight when I got up this morning! It has been taking me a good half hour to straighten up as the pain has been so bad. I went to bed in pain last night but I am 100 times better today, I'm really hoping it's the Amitriptyline that's helping 🤞

OP posts:

Luckingfovely · 18/01/2022 21:57

@TheVolturi I'm about six weeks in from taking it every day, and I cannot believe the difference. Still waiting on (probable) surgery and a second opinion, but have gone from screaming with every step, to being mostly okay - in pain - but not that excruciating nerve pain.

I hope it really works for you too

Starrr123 · 18/01/2022 23:22

@Wishihadanalgorithm hi! I clench my jaw and started taking amatriptyline for the pain. Just wondering whT symptoms you had ? Xx

Original poster

TheVolturi · 19/01/2022 10:56

[quote Luckingfovely]@TheVolturi I'm about six weeks in from taking it every day, and I cannot believe the difference. Still waiting on (probable) surgery and a second opinion, but have gone from screaming with every step, to being mostly okay - in pain - but not that excruciating nerve pain.

I hope it really works for you too [/quote]
Thank you! If its not too personal, can I ask your diagnosis? I was diagnosed in 2016 with scoliosis and a differing leg length, and was told I was set for a life of nerve/back pain. I was supposed to go for a mri to investigate further but fell pregnant so didn't. I can remember being about 6 or 7 years old and having sciatica!

OP posts:

Original poster

TheVolturi · 19/01/2022 10:57

[quote Starrr123]@Wishihadanalgorithm hi! I clench my jaw and started taking amatriptyline for the pain. Just wondering whT symptoms you had ? Xx[/quote]
I know you asked a pp this question, but I also clench my jaw and used to wake with really bad headache and tense neck, I've only been taking Amitriptyline less than a week but my jaw feels better and I have not been clenching!

OP posts:

Starrr123 · 19/01/2022 11:32

@TheVolturi thankyou for your reply!!!
Thats so good!!!
My face is just aching all the time :( and my teeth ache its so annoying xxxx

Original poster

TheVolturi · 19/01/2022 11:34

[quote Starrr123]@TheVolturi thankyou for your reply!!!
Thats so good!!!
My face is just aching all the time :( and my teeth ache its so annoying xxxx[/quote]
Can you up your dose?

OP posts:

endofthelinefinally · 19/01/2022 13:52

OP, have you not been referred for orthotics or similar? That can make a big difference to sciatica caused by biomechanical problems.

Original poster

TheVolturi · 19/01/2022 14:56

@endofthelinefinally

OP, have you not been referred for orthotics or similar? That can make a big difference to sciatica caused by biomechanical problems.

I was given a built up gel insole at the time, to correct the leg length issue, but I didn't consistently wear it and I've actually lost it now. I do need to be referred again I think!

OP posts:

Starrr123 · 19/01/2022 15:10

@TheVolturi ive upped to 20mg 5 days so far! Not sure whats going on :( did your teeth ever ache with it ? And ur face ? With tmj i mean xx

endofthelinefinally · 19/01/2022 15:55

Honestly, orthotics are really important and effective at improving back pain, hip pain, knee pain. Foot problems can cause pain all the way up to your jaw. Also, jaw problems, particularly injury, can cause back problems.

endofthelinefinally · 19/01/2022 15:56

OP, did nobody tell you that orthotics are to prevent sciatica?

Original poster

TheVolturi · 19/01/2022 16:52

[quote Starrr123]@TheVolturi ive upped to 20mg 5 days so far! Not sure whats going on :( did your teeth ever ache with it ? And ur face ? With tmj i mean xx[/quote]
Yes they did, like a dull tingly ache, but the headache and neckache in the morning was the worst thing.

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