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?

Amiee2021 thank you. I am starting it tonight. Going to cut them in half and start really slow as my body seems to react to meds.
greenbirdsong My anxiety is closely linked to my IBS symptoms, the symptoms cause the anxiety and panicky thoughts, I am hoping if this med calms the gut down then it will help reduce my anxiety and I can then work on that with other products/techniques 🤞
Arghhconfused that’s good to know, thanks.

I took amitriptylin for years for nerve pain until it stopped working, I did gain some weight but I put that down to a mixture of ageing, bad diet and the drug. I changed to gabapentine with 10mg nortriptyline at night as the pain was stopping me sleeping. When I stopped amitriptylin I did loose some weight, I have found gabapentine much better for nerve pain, I would happily take any drug that would keep me out of constant pain. The only bad reaction I had was duloxotine, I couldn’t eat, function, stay awake when I was meant or sleep when I was in bed, my memory was even affected on it!

I've gone as high as 150 mg and am currently on 75mg. I'm taking it for nerve pain, anxiety and insomnia. It is not doing a thing for my insomnia unfortunately.

I've had no weight issues with it which is surprising.

I'm taking it for nerve pain, 10mg. No weight gain, I feel fine. I've also noticed a reduction in irritable bladder and my stomach issues have improved. I take Nexium for my stomach but I'm looking at reducing it.

I take amitrpyiline for nerve pain and for the first two years it made me drowsy, so I can vouch for it being relaxing.

SinisterBumFacedCat I’ve also been given a prescription for Duloxetine which my GP says I can take alongside the nortriptyline but after reading reviews for it I’ll stick to the nortriptyline for the time being.
LovelaceBiggWither no undesirable side effects at 75mg?
dollymuchymuchness good to see it’s helped your stomach issues, I am desperate for my digestive system to calm down and to stop waking me at night!
Thoosa Drowsy for 2 years! Was it manageable though? I drive for a living. Don’t know if I could put up with being drowsy for that long.

I take 150mg for depression and anxiety. It has worked far better than I expected but I can’t cope with the weight gain (history of EDs) so am currently considering my options. I’ve tapered down to 75mg but my mood is awful again so I’m not sure what to do for the best.

I would say to take it at least 12 hours before you need to be up and about the next day. I’m asleep within 2-3 hours of taking it and feel fine in the morning. I suffer from fatigue and it helped massively with that presumably because I was sleeping so well.

amitrpyiline Didn’t suit me at all. Despite causing sleepiness in many people, it had the opposite affect on me. It kept me away all night and the next day it left me such a zombie I couldn’t work. There was no way I could get behind the wheel to even get to work though!

Re Gut issues, many people have had good results by drinking kefir daily. It can take several weeks for it to have an effect but it is proven to increase the good gut bacteria. I have to say the best side effect after drinking it for a few months was a boost in weight loss! Anyhow, may be worth a try. It can be an acquired taste, some are more sour than others, the unflavoured ones are probably best.

I'm on Amitriptyline for a slipped disc. Been on it for about 18 months now. I didn't get any side effects & it's greatly assisted with the pain relief. I have put on weight but due to ongoing stresses in my life, I think it's to do with my eating habits rather than the drug.

I take amytriptaline and have noticed weight gain. I’ve gone from an 8 to a 12 and I bloody hate it. It has certainly improved my sleep but I am so vain I’d rather have sleep issues that be overweight. I don’t think it’s the drug as such but it has made me feel too relaxed and lethargic so I struggle to get motivated for exercise. Am weaning myself off it now.

justpoppy that’s my worry with the nortriptyline as I have had lifelong ED issues, just hope I won’t put on too much at 10mg. I haven’t eaten well for years due to my IBS and fear I’ll binge if I get my appetite back but I’m desperate for a calmer digestive system.
Yeahbutnotreally Sadly I can’t tolerate dairy. I have tried non dairy kefir but it upset me.
Finfintytint I really am hoping it doesn’t affect my weight I am a size 8-10 and would go into a deep depression if I put on weight as I’ve had ED in the past. I will come off it if my weight creeps up.