Does anyone have experiences of Amitriptyline or Nortriptyline?

[Fairytoast]

I have ongoing digestive issues which are really controlling my life atm, I also have sleep issues, anxiety and migraines.
My gastroenterologist prescribed me Nortriptyline (10mg at night) to help break the cycle of anxiety/gut issues.
I haven’t plucked up the courage to take them yet as I have huge medication anxiety, I get really stressed worrying about side effects but I’ve been signed off work for 2 weeks so it’s now or never!
I know that Amitriptyline is more widely prescribed for nerve issues etc but I’ve read Nortriptyline is very similar.
Has anyone had experiences of either of these? Did they help?

I'm on amitriptyline. Took a while getting used to them as they made me feel out of it in the morning (I take them at night) but they do the job.

I am prescribed Amitriptyline and even a small dose makes me sleep better (5mg) - I do have to remember to take it a few hours before I want to go to sleep, though, as it seems to take a while to work.

The slight downside is that it can then make me feel a bit groggy and slow to start in the morning, which is why I don't take it every day.

However I know some people get used to it quite quickly, and take far bigger doses!

Sounds like a good idea to try out your new prescription while you are signed off work. Best of luck. I have gut problems too and it's so very wearying

I used to take Amitriptyline for my chronic migraines, really really helped (gave me quality of life back) but went from size 8 to size 18 in around 5 months.

This really depressed me as had been a size 8 all my life and despite dieting I could not lose it.

Specialist moved me onto Nortriptyline and with 3 months I dropped to a size 12, where I have stayed since (6 years later).

Still great results in Nortriptyline, same as with Ami. Specialist explained Nortriptyline much more expensive so GPs give Ami out at first, however if side effects get you they can swap seamlessly (I swapped rather than came off and started new, Specialist is great and explained it all).

Please don't feel afraid to start, I was too but they gave me my life back.

Good luck 👍

I didn't know that about the weight gain. Is it a metabolic side effect?

I'm on Amitriptyline 25 mg at night for interstitial cystitis. I don't have anxiety ,but the doctor put me on this for the side effects which are they they relax an overactive bladder.

I find it very helpful, it stops my overactive bladder overnight which was ruining my life . I haven't had any problems with it, I do watch my weight very carefully though because weight gain is a side effect. I don't feel groggy in the morning either, so I'm happy with it.

@SpinningTheSeedsOfLove I'm not sure but it was a very definite thing for me (got no other side effects) and I was 34 when I started so had maintained a size 8 my entire adult life and weight gain was very sudden.

Lost it all almost straight away (am happy being a size 12 now, accept I will never be an 8 again) so must have been something to do with metabolism.

Thanks everyone.
LoneTortoise I did specifically ask for nortriptyline because of the weight issues. My sister has been on Amitriptyline for years and has put on a lot of weight, she and I were always the same size. I’ve been a size 8/10 all my adult life (49)and have had life long issues with eating disorders so it is a big worry of mine but right now my other issues are causing me more distress so I need to weigh up which is worse. I really hope I don’t put on weight as that will definitely make me depressed. Urgh, horrible decisions to make.

@Fairytoast It's difficult and in truth you shouldn't have to make choices between health and side effects, it's unfair. I feel that strongly whenever I start a new medication, especially when some people say, "Oh, I'd never take pharmaceuticals!" I always think, yeah, lucky your health is good enough you don't have to! 😂

But you may not get the side effects, it's definitely worth that scary moment of trying them. Remember you can stop (slowly) whenever you would like to and your doctor agrees. It's not a lifelong decision. And it will likely be a great, great help.

Wishing you all the best. 💕

Yes I take 10mg amitriptyline for aches and pains and to avoid migraines. The trick is to find the correct time to take it each evening, which will vary amongst individuals.

Some PP have mentioned feeling groggy in the mornings. This happens to me if I take it too late in the evening. Currently I take my tablet at about 7pm and go to bed around 10pm. Try taking it 2 hours before bedtime and see how you go, you can then adjust this to suit you.

LoneTortoise my friend weaned herself off antidepressants by shaving a small piece off each tablet each night. It worked though lol!
UserThenLotsOfNumbers when you take it a couple of hours before bed does it whack you out for that time or does it kick in once you’ve gone to bed?

No it doesn't. If I take it at 7pm, then by 9.30pm I'll start feeling sleepy and I would fall asleep almost immediately if I went to bed at 10.00pm. I'd wake up the next morning feeling fine.

If you take it too early you'll be ready for bed at 8.00pm and wide awake at 4.00am. If you take it too late you'll be up til midnight and feel terrible in the morning (speaking from experience!)

You will feel groggy for the first few days of taking it regardless, so ride that out, then see how it goes. If you are still finding it hard to get to sleep but are waking up feeling groggy, then try taking your tablet earlier. It's trial and error to find out what works for you. Hope everything goes well!

I took both for nerve pain but can't remember which was which. One made me feel constantly hungover even on the lowest dose and neither really worked so i stopped taking them.

This is a timely thread for me as I'm about to start Amitryptiline tonight for nerve pain
I've been on both Pregabilin and Gabapentin in the past year and gained a stone within 3 weeks on both of them, which didn't help my nerve pain of confidence!
Waiting to see if I gain with this too

uncomfortablydumb53 I have been put off trying because of the fear of weight gain. Hopefully it will work well for you.

I'm on amitriptyline for long covid. Been on it about 18 months. I was on 10mg but have cut down to 5mg now. I bloody love it! I sleep well (with vivid dreams though) and feel so much better in myself. It'll be a sad day when I have time stop taking it. Hope you get on well with it OP. You could start with 5mg and build up if you're worried. That's what I did. With a pill cutter.

I take amitriptyline (nerve pain). It sometimes helps with sleep, and hasn't made me put weight on (I'd have binned it if it had done!)

coffeesschmoffee I glad you mentioned that because that’s exactly what I was thinking of doing. I have a little pill cutter and will try and start on 5mg. I can handle weird dreams as mine as really strange at the best of times anyhow. Just don’t want to gain lots of weight though.
GemmaAlone that’s good to know, thanks.

I have 20mg Amitriptyline. Started on 10mg.This is for migraines,nerve pain etc. I was scared re taking it too. Hate taking meds. Also a friend of mine said she had hallucinations. I don't know what dose she was on. Anyway,I think it helps. If I take it too late I am wide awake for ages so I tend to take at 8pmish. If I am on a late shift at work I usually take it there at 9pmish. I have not put on weight. Good luck and I hope it works for you.

Great idea OP. I am quite a cautious person so that approach worked for me and I get on great with it.
And i haven't gained weight either.

I have Crohn's disease and was prescribed amitriptyline to help. I lost a weekend and spent it in bed and I stopped taking it.

I take 20mg amiltriptyline for nerve pain and Naproxen for inflammation. Since I started In September last year I’ve dropped a dress size and 6 kilos. I’d agree with Pp about finding a sweet spot to take it.

stayingaliveisawayoflife when you say you lost a weekend do you mean as in confused/memory loss? That must have been scary!
Woeismethischristmas I definitely need to figure out what strength will best work for me. I'll cut them in half and work my way up to start with.

I was in 100mg of amitriptyline for 5 years, inly just come off due to TTC. I was on it for severe ibs and migraines and it made a massive difference.
Make sure you start slowly and build up taking it as it can make you feel exhausted and always take in the evening

I take 20mg amitriptyline at night for nerve pain and also anxiety. I haven't had any adverse effects. I find it works well with the nerve pain and restless legs (RLS) I used to get at night. However it doesn't particularly help me with my anxiety.

I was on Nortriptiline (cant spell it) for a couple of years. It worked pretty well for me overall.