Amitriptyline hydrochloride experience? First 2 weeks, holiday!

[shshs]

My husband has been prescribed 20mg of Amitriptyline hydrochloride to deal with ongoing headaches. We are due to go on a big holiday next week for 2 weeks, I’m nervous he’s going to be groggy on them, and worried about drinking (part of the holiday is all inclusive).

He’s trying to decide whether to try for the next 10 days and see how he is, or if he should just wait until he gets back. He would just wait but obviously headaches could also ruin the trip!

It’s a bit of a ‘once in a lifetime’ trip so that’s the pressure. If you have experienced this medication I’m just wondering how you found the first fortnight and how you would approach this with your experience please?

What doesage is he starting on. It made me a little groggy when I started on 10mg but not horrendous. Just need to remember to not take it too late at night.

@Campbellcarrotsoup 20mg

I couldn't stay awake on it. It says to take it at night which I did. I remember falling asleep at 7pm even though my last dose was the previous evening

Start on 10mg for a couple of days. First night it knocked me out but within a week it was in my system. Brilliant stuff

Could he start on 10mg for the holiday and see how he gets on? I took 10 mg and never found it knocked me out. Just made me sleep peacefully

The first line of the OP gives the answer you’re looking for 🤦‍♀️

Yes definitely open to starting more gradually, will suggest to him, assuming the tablets are 10mg each? A bit worried by the grogginess as he’ll be doing some driving too and with jet lag (long haul) it’s not a great combo!

I wasn't groggy on 20mg through the day. I did need a coffee in the morning, though.

I have it to help me sleep! I just take 10mg. I wouldn't say it knocks me out but it certainly helps me stay asleep. I do drink alcohol on them. Haven't noticed any effect.

10mg is nothing, he won't be groggy. He'll sleep well but it doesn't cause drowsiness. I take it for depression 100mg a night.

From what I remember the side effects are worse coming off. I think he should start it. Headaches are miserable.

I set alarm to take 7.30pm. Or a bit later if going to do something in evening. Don't take in morning! Mine is for insomnia

Ask the pharmacist for their advice, 20mg may well be too much given that he'll be jet lagged....

Just a warning to you.. if he ever intends to come off it, it’s incredibly hard. I’m currently titrating off 25mg and the withdrawal symptoms are nuts. I was never warned about this by my dr and would have considered a different option. My migraines were slightly better but still present on the 25mg.

Yes. My GP called 10mg a baby dose

It does seem to affect people very differently. I found it easy to come off 20mg after taking it for about 2 years

I have been on it for years for leg pain at night. Never felt groggy with it