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

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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?

Oh and yes it makes you starving hungry. It's not like normal hungry where you think hmm I'll just grab something light for lunch and then you're good till dinner. Its like devouring your lunch and then roaming the kitchen wondering what else I can eat and shortlisting food based on how many seconds in the microwave it takes.

And the withdrawal is brutal, not going to lie there but I'm on a much higher dose so probably won't be as bad for you.

Hi - for the test I think it’s a glucose solution, you don’t eat for 12 hours beforehand, an a special diet day before which is basically rice and white meat. You breath into test tubes every 20 mins (there’s an attachment for this). If your hyrodgen or methane levels go above expected range you have SIBO. Oil of Oregano is quite powerful, it kills the good and the bad bacteria so you really need probiotics during and after so you repopulated with the good stuff. I just take them most days and will keep it up.

Carbonated charcoal can reduce side effects of the bacteria die off, just space them out so they don’t stop the oil doing it’s work. If you do get symptoms it’s a sure sign you have a gut imbalance.

It’s probably not worth paying for the test - I would just try the oil oregano and probiotics.

I'm on 25mg amitriptyline for hormonal migraines and it's been life changing. From 2 or 3 a month to 2 or 3 a year.

Hi all x
I was on amitriptyline for neuralgia in my face. It didnt really help that much ! I was too scared to up it! So now ive gone back on it and thinking of upping to 30 or 40mg to see if it helps!
When coming off it i reLly struggling to sleep! Ive been on mat leave and due back tomorrow xx

@TheVolturi hi!! I really dont wanna gain weight! How Re you now on it ? X

I used to be on 100mg daily, side effects were dry mouth, constipation and dizzy spells if I stood up to quick. Never felt groggy on it, but did have insomnia for 2 weeks when I came off of it

I've gone up from 10mg to 50mg of amytriptyline. I've been taking that dose for about four months (and it's been brilliant for helping me to sleep and wake up without pain), but I'm now getting breakthrough pain at night so am trying 75mg every other night on the advice of a nurse practitioner. I'm not far enough in to be able to tell if it will help.
I've been referred to a pain clinic too, to see if they can help.
I don't feel drowsy - the only side effect I've had is a really dry mouth. I'm going to ask at the pain clinic if nortriptyline might be better for me.

I've tried both. Amitrip, 10mg, I lasted 5 days, the side effects were awful: felt like a zombie, felt hungover every morning, very constipated, dry mouth, didn't feel able to drive. Noritrip, half of a 25mg tablet (I think) each day. I tolerated it better, but after 10 days I developed unexplained bruising so my GP took me off it.

Amitriptyline was great for my migraines. It made me sleep really well (I was on 50mg) but after the first two weeks didn't knock me out in the day.

However, it made me crave - and I mean CRAVE sugar. One time I went out at midnight because I couldn't do anything because I wanted a can of coke so much. Another time I made cake batter and just ate the lot uncooked. I've never smoked or anything else addictive, but this made me understand so much what that urge must be like. It was awful.

[quote Starrr123]@TheVolturi hi!! I really dont wanna gain weight! How Re you now on it ? X[/quote]
Hi, is actually levelled off and my appetite is back to normal. I we been on it about 6 weeks or so I think now. And I would say that the last two weeks my appetite has reduced to normal levels. Weight is back to normal too. In fact I don't have any side effects now.

amitryptaline made me very unwell. I will not go near it.