Anyone on Amitriptyline or Nortriptyline? Do/did you suffer many side effects?

[WearsblackLoveschocolateAvoidspeople]

I recently have been prescribed Nortriptyline (for visceral hypersensitivity due to decades of IBS-D and pain due to endometriosis).

I was offered Amitriptyline but decided on the Nortriptyline as it is supposed to have less side effects?

I have a medication phobia and as soon as I read the enclosed leaflets of any medication, I am put off. I know all reported side effects, regardless of how rare, have to be registered and recorded. However, this pack has 2 A4 printed sheets of side effects and has left me feeling unsettled.

I have only been prescribed 10mg so am hoping that will mean less side effects but not sure if that is the case with this medication?

The side effects which concern me the most are,

Weight gain - my sister was on Amitriptyline (25mg) for 20 years and put on a lot of weight during this time. I have suffered with an eating disorder in the past and have been slim all my life, being even a little overweight throws me into a deep depression

Confusion/memory loss/tiredness - my mum has dementia and the NHS website mentions that these drugs (anticholinergic) can cause dementia although more research needs to be done. Since caring for a parent with Alzheimer's this potential risk does worry me

Increased anxiety - as someone already suffering with anxiety/depression, any increased in this is something I most certainly do not need in my life

Constipation - as an IBS-d suffer this is something I am hoping as a side effect

This is kind of my last chance saloon when it comes to treating my issues as I have spent decades trying literally everything I can to help. These issues are completely controlling my life right now so I am really hoping they may help without too many issues.

How have you been on either of these drugs?

It didn’t help me with my headaches but it made me sleep really well! It was a god send for that actually. I’m awful at falling asleep.

Were you on any other ADs when you took it?

Ive been prescribed it for pain in my neck, but am already on citalopram. I have noticed that suicidal thoughts are creeping back in, but hadn’t made the connection.

I haven’t taken it every night, as prescribed, because I don’t like relying on pain relief. I’ll stop straight away.

I was on Nortriptyline for a while for ADHD. It had a really long lead up time (not sure the correct term for this) - for about 6 weeks I felt constantly nauseous and tired, exactly like early pregnancy - I kept taking tests! But just as I was getting fed up of this and about to make an appointment with my doctor to change it, it all went away and I felt fine and normal on it. It didn't help hugely with the ADHD - it did a little bit, it seemed to help with my time awareness, but I have since changed to a proper stimulant medication, which is much more effective.

Personally I found it unmanageable because of the long lead up time - if I ever forgot to take it or messed up the repeat prescription timing, I would have weeks of discomfort, plus the fact it didn't really work and apparently it was a quirk of my specific doctor, prescribing this - nobody else seemed to be on it and so I wanted to try a more typical medication first.

I didn't have any sleep effects but I did have some strange/vivid (not unpleasant) dreams when I first started taking it. The stimulant disturbs my sleep more.

No I wasn't on any other ADs. I've taken both for pain