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Original poster

Is anyone on or had any experience with amitriptyline or Nortriptyline?

61 replies

RedPandaWanda · 03/02/2022 09:04

Can I ask how you got on with it?
I have awful IBS and nothing I have tried has helped (low fodmap diet, IBS meds, hypnotherapy etc). It has completely ruined my life. I want the life back that I had 24 years ago, before it started.
My gastroenterologist has prescribed me Nortriptyline (10mg to start with). I have read it’s slightly constipating (which is something I want tbh) and good with sleep issues and migraines (I have had many restless nights for a while and I suffer from hormonal migraines).
But SSRI’s in the past have made my stomach issues so much worse so I am very apprehensive about taking them but am hoping as they are the older TCA’s my digestive system may tolerate them better?
I am also concerned about coming off them, my sister has been on Amitriptyline (25mg) for 15 years and every time she tries to come off she feels absolutely dreadful.
BUT I am willing to try the Nortriptyline because I am struggling so much with this anxiety/gut issue/more anxiety vicious cycle.
How have you been with this med?

OP posts:
Anotherunimaginativeusername · 03/02/2022 11:48

I'm taking amitryptiline after a slipped disc. Started on 10mg now on 20mg. No side effects at all and is definitely helping with the pain. I was slightly groggy in the mornings for a few days but that passed.

BertieBotts · 03/02/2022 11:50

This is very interesting about taking it at night, my doctor never suggested that so I always took it in the morning.

Blackopal · 03/02/2022 13:45

I can't believe you were not told to take them in the evening! That's terrible.
Can't imagine taking them in the morning and trying to go about my day.

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jubaloo442 · 03/02/2022 13:52

I've been taking amitryptaline 25mg/night for migraines since last Feb.
I did Feb - August and they definitely reduced severity and frequency. Stopped taking it, migraines came back and so did some pretty crazy insomnia.
Neurologist put me back on it in December, same dose, I'm down from two migraine weeks per month to maybe two migraines per month which is a huge difference.

I sleep deeply with it but as long as I time it right I feel decent when I wake up. The first few weeks felt tough though, it took a good 20 mins to wake up and open my eyes whereas normally I'm just...awake.

saturdayhelicopter · 03/02/2022 13:55

@RedPandaWanda I think it's about timing the dose right. Take it at midnight and you're going to be fuzzy the next morning. 8.30 and you should be alright, though obviously it's going to be different for everyone.

Original poster
RedPandaWanda · 03/02/2022 14:01

Saturdayhelicopter it does say on the box to take one at night. So I usually get up around 7am, I will try to take it at around 7pm to start with. Will it whack me out for the evening?

OP posts:
TheVolturi · 03/02/2022 14:01

I'm almost 3 weeks in with Amitriptyline 10mg. I do not find it makes me too tired, it has definitely helped me sleep which is amazing, but when I wake I'm fresh. Not tired during the day. It has increased my appetite so I'm watching that. If my weight starts to creep up then I will be stopping it. I have however been having palpitations and had an ecg for that today. Overall I'm liking it, it seems to have helped with my pain, and I have not had a migraine since I started, the real truth will be when I get my period, as I always get a horrible few days of migraine at the end.
Give it a go op, 10mg is such a low dose.

blyn72 · 03/02/2022 14:03

Amitriptyline some years ago. The side effects were horrendous so I came off them. However we are all different.

TheVolturi · 03/02/2022 14:03

I think take it at 8pm op and see how you feel. It takes a couple hrs to start making you sleepy anyway and it's not like a knockout drug.

Tomnooktoldmeto · 03/02/2022 14:40

I’ve taken both for pain relief and much prefer Nortriptyline of the two which I’ve taken now for 18 years

I take at 10.30pm and I’m fine at 7.30 the next morning, I have coeliac disease and my gut it quite irritable but even though I take large doses of codeine too I’ve never had an issue with constipation

DH.takes Amitriptyline for sleep and also has no issues

Natsku · 03/02/2022 14:51

I was prescribed amitriptyline for tension headaches, and I honestly preferred the pain of the headaches to the drugged up zombie feeling of amitriptyline. That said, I was also prescribed it years earlier for insomnia and did not find it so bad then and took it for months (but came off it due to weight gain)

LadyOfMisrule · 03/02/2022 17:43

I took amitriptyline for a couple of years to help with pain and kidney issues. I took it at around 7 each evening so that I wasn't too sleepy in the mornings. It was marvellous, and did me the world of good (and as a side effect, I rarely felt cold when I was on it). I came off it no problem.

Blackopal · 04/02/2022 07:26

I'm really curious, what side effects are people referring to?

Buttercup72 · 04/02/2022 08:05

Have you been tested/treated for SIBO? This is linked to IBS as well as non-gastro symptoms. I eventually got treated on nhs, but had to take a private test result to my gastro as I didn’t meet the (very narrow) nice guidelines for treatment. I got my test from healthpath, but tbh taking oil of oregano softgels with high carvicol content, and good quality probiotics or kefir should treat it. Lots of advice online if you wish to look into it.

TheVolturi · 04/02/2022 09:08

I've actually been on it 3 weeks today, and I've put on half a stone! Hadn't weighed myself till now but it knew I had gained, didn't expect that much gain in less than a month so I think I will have to stop it sadly.

Ablababla · 04/02/2022 09:31

I was prescribed Amitriptyline for hormonal migraines. I hated idea of taking something like that every day but they definitely worked. I now take them only just before or during my period which seems to stop the headaches from growing into anything worse. I find I’m a bit groggy in the mornings when I take them but I don’t have any withdrawal symptoms when I stop taking them. It works for me.

TheVolturi · 04/02/2022 09:42

@Ablababla

I was prescribed Amitriptyline for hormonal migraines. I hated idea of taking something like that every day but they definitely worked. I now take them only just before or during my period which seems to stop the headaches from growing into anything worse. I find I’m a bit groggy in the mornings when I take them but I don’t have any withdrawal symptoms when I stop taking them. It works for me.
What does do you take?
Ablababla · 04/02/2022 09:53

10mg. sometimes if I’ve already got the headache in the evening I take two. I know that will knock me out in the morning but it’s better than a day in bed unable to move or speak.

TheVolturi · 04/02/2022 10:03

@Ablababla

10mg. sometimes if I’ve already got the headache in the evening I take two. I know that will knock me out in the morning but it’s better than a day in bed unable to move or speak.
It's really good to know that you can take them as you need. I think I wil cut my 10mg in half and see how I go, I could up it on the odd day then.
Ablababla · 04/02/2022 19:11

Its not the advice I received from the GP but it’s been working for me.

Original poster
RedPandaWanda · 05/02/2022 18:34

Buttercup72 I have often wondered if I have SIBO as I do have many of the symptoms. I have been looking at the Healthpath one. Was the test/solution ok to take? Did you get any side effects from the oil of oregano? I’ve heard it’s quite strong stuff.
TheVolturi I am concerned at the possibility of weight gain as I have had an eating disorder. My sister has put on a lot of weight during the 15 years on it.
Tomnooktoldmeto That is good to know, thank you.

OP posts:
anonymouslyusing · 05/02/2022 19:08

I put on 2 stone in 2 months and was an absolute zombie. Wasn’t worth it for me but everyone is different so could be fine for you

Original poster
RedPandaWanda · 05/02/2022 19:15

For those who put on weight with these meds, just out of curiosity was it because it made you ravenous or did the weight just come on without any extra calorie intake?

OP posts:
TheVolturi · 05/02/2022 19:53

@RedPandaWanda

For those who put on weight with these meds, just out of curiosity was it because it made you ravenous or did the weight just come on without any extra calorie intake?
It has increased my appetite for sure. I am not really a hungry person normally, I don't snack as a rule. I have my breakfast, then am OK till lunch, then often will only have a small evening meal or even a sandwich if I've had a decent lunch. I never ever eat after 5pm. But since starting Amitriptyline I feel really hungry. I am fit and active, I run every other day, not huge distances, between 2 and 3 miles but it's kept me well. I don't want to undo all of that my putting weight on.
nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut · 05/02/2022 20:59

I have Amitriptyline for depression and anxiety 100mg at night. It's been great for me, only side effects were a few dizzy spells in the first week or so of starting it and a bit of a dry mouth.

It does knock you out at night, put a stop to my night terrors but the drowsiness doesn't last. Once I drag myself out of bed and stick my face in the shower the fog clears. I don't have trouble getting up now, 4 years in.