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AIBU?

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Original poster

To want to know your experiences of amitriptyline?

120 replies

Amitriptyline · 09/05/2022 18:18

A bit nosy I know, I've been prescribed these tablets and pick them up tomorrow so looking for some first hand experiences from anyone who has had them.

10mg at night I believe the dosage is.

I'm a little bit apprehensive about starting them as I'm quite sensitive to meds and I can't really afford to put on any more weight which I know can be a side effect. Eeek.

They are for TMD pain but I'm hoping to get some benefit from them for my depression as I know its a multi use drug.

Thanks!

OP posts:
Thepowerofthelook · 09/05/2022 19:20

Really good for sleep and pain. I felt groggy in the mornings to function (which didn't reduce as it said it would. Then tried gabapentin which was worse but have now been on Pregabalin for 10 years which has been great at taking the edge off. I did recently try increasing them however I just ended up sleeping all the time which is not sustainable long term.
Unfortunately every one is different and it's trial and error. For me I put more weight on with Pregabalin but it was the price to pay for reduced pain.

Natsku · 09/05/2022 19:27

Had them for insomnia some years ago and they made me put on weight and didn't really help that much with the sleeping either. Doctor put me on them again last autumn for tension headaches and the side effects were horrendous, I didn't last more than two doses because I refused to take them any more, preferred the headaches!
But the side effects weren't that bad the first time so I don't know why they were so bad the second time. But never again.

girafferaffle · 09/05/2022 19:27

Amitriptyline · 09/05/2022 19:15

Other TMD sufferers who are wanting to try botox but cant afford it privately what you need if you haven't already had one is a referral to oral surgery. I'm in London so the hospital I was referred to was Guys. My dentist made the referral and I had my first appointment a few months later. Botox wasn't the first treatment but nothing else worked.

I believe it helped a bit, just not for long.

I have excruciating flare ups several times per month that last days on end and even the botox couldn't prevent that.

However I've read many an anecdote from people saying it was the gold standard for them and helped so much.

You have my sympathies. It's a horrid condition.

I think it’s probably just that time has moved on since I was diagnosed. At the time I was the first patient to get Botox at my dental hospital (it was relatively scary being the person trained on). It’s nice to see that they’re trying that earlier now as I had to do so many things before we got to that point (many many meds, cbt, physio, so many splints, acupuncture etc). None of it fixed it completely (or ever will) but I’m very grateful to the doctor who made me her project at the time 😂.

SuziSecondLaw · 09/05/2022 19:31

I'm on day 3 of 25mg of amitriptyline, and so far so good! I'm taking them for anxiety and ibs. No positive effects yet, but it's too soon anyway. It's making me fall asleep very easily at night, but that's about it!

CoralBells · 09/05/2022 19:56

They do seem to affect people differently. Some people are knocked out by a small dose. I read that some people find they lose weight on them rather than put on

Mumteedum · 09/05/2022 20:02

Couldn't cope with the side effects. They may subside but I felt horrible on them. Not so much tired in the morning but shakey and spaced out around lunchtime. And the dry mouth was horrible. Just not for me at all.

ReadyToMoveIt · 09/05/2022 20:05

Just to counteract some of the posts above, I haven’t had a single side effect (have been on them for a year now), so you may be lucky.

evilharpy · 09/05/2022 20:05

I took them for about five months for herniated disc pain. They just about took the edge off the pain but were helpful post surgery when I was recovering from nerve damage. I was on 30-40mg depending on how bad the pain was and the only real side effect I had was grogginess first thing in the morning. They also really helped me sleep. I have suffered with insomnia on and off for years and they made a massive difference to the point I'm considering going back on them again just to get a decent night's sleep for a change.

Lincolnbolt · 09/05/2022 20:07

Worked on my nerve pain but made me very sleepy

TheVolturi · 09/05/2022 20:10

I started this in Jan and its been amazing for me. I did feel tired at times for the first week, not every day though and not for long. And my appetite did increase. However after a month my appetite went back to normal. I would not be without it now its so good for me. I take it for sciatica. 10mg at night and not needed to increase yet.

talkingdeadscot · 09/05/2022 20:10

I took them for 5 years starting at a dose of 10mg increasing to 50mg. They initially worked great for nerve pain and help sleeping. Unfortunately the side effects didn't wear off for me. They triggered migraines, facial rashes and then eventually Long QT Syndrome (heart problems). These are uncommon side effects but anyone taking these types of medications need to be aware of the possible heart problems at least. You won't know you're susceptible until it's too late.

TheVolturi · 09/05/2022 20:10

And I know it's a very low dose but I have definitely felt less anxious and happier since starting them!

Zelda93 · 09/05/2022 20:19

I was prescribed them for My jaw to relax it when sleeping only side affect I had was feeling a bit groggy in the morning but soon got over that and to be fair when mentioned to the dentist at the hospital they then prescribed me the Nortryptoline which I don't have any side affects on .

CoralBells · 09/05/2022 20:20

I was put on them after dh died suddenly to help with sleep and coping. I'm also menopausal, so it could be comfort eating that made me put on weight and nothing to do with ami I guess

Viryanth · 09/05/2022 20:21

I was on Ami for about six months for nerve pain, slept ok at night, but would also find it almost impossible to stay awake in the warm, airless meeting rooms at work. I'm now on Nortriptyline and I don't get that daytime grogginess anymore. Very effective for the pain with only occasional breakthrough episodes. No other side effects I've noticed.

Toomanybooks22 · 09/05/2022 20:28

I was prescribed it for migraines but it didn't work and just increased my anxiety and made me groggy all the time even on the lowest dose.

AnxiousSquirrel · 09/05/2022 20:28

I was on 50mg a day, taken just before bed and I slept like a log, absolutely dead to the world.
If I took it at any other point during the day it made me so drowsy it was like I'd been tranquillised. Whatever you do, don't take it with codeine, bloody hell I thought I was dying.

It did help hugely though.

Mummysgogetter · 09/05/2022 20:42

AnxiousSquirrel · 09/05/2022 20:28

I was on 50mg a day, taken just before bed and I slept like a log, absolutely dead to the world.
If I took it at any other point during the day it made me so drowsy it was like I'd been tranquillised. Whatever you do, don't take it with codeine, bloody hell I thought I was dying.

It did help hugely though.

i was prescribed them in August 2021 after about 10 months of terrible insomnia. It was getting worse and worse. It started where I would have a couple of nights poor sleep and then went to where I would have one good night out of seven. I would fall asleep okay but wake really early and only go into a very light unrefreshed sleep. Honestly I felt like death warmed up - was so tearful. These tablets have been a lifesaver! I have a bad night or two once a month but other than that (touch wood) it’s all good.

I have noticed my appetite is increased for sweet stuff in the evening after I take them but I just ignore it and keep drinking tea instead.

@AnxiousSquirrel what happens if you take them with Codeine?

Gymnopedie · 09/05/2022 20:44

I was prescribed it for exactly the same reason as you OP, but sadly I only managed three days. They gave me horrendous vivid dreams. The first night I dreamed that my friend had died. The second, that my brother in law had died. They were bad enough, but the third night I dreamed that my dad had died and woke up to the pillow sodden with tears from crying in my sleep. I didn't take any more.

Mummysgogetter · 09/05/2022 20:45

Sorry forgot to add - I’m on 20 mg. Was initially prescribed 10 mg but that dose stopped working after two or three weeks. I’m prescribed enough so that I can take 30 mg if I wish. Fingers crossed it never gets to that stage! 😬

Gonewalking · 09/05/2022 20:51

@Mummysgogetter..... I've been prescribed it with codeine!

guessagain · 09/05/2022 20:51

Started on 10mg, about 14, 15 years ago. On 100mg a night now, was on 150mg at one point. Can’t really get off them so it seems.

My take on them, don’t start them unless you absolutely really really need to.

cansu · 09/05/2022 20:53

it made me vomit and feel very unwell. I ended up on gabapentin which was much better.

Ohsugarhoneyicetea · 09/05/2022 20:54

I take 20 mg for nerve pain and its been incredible for that, constant pain in arms just disappeared. I think it does have slight antidepressant effects too which is nice. The key to it is to take it 2 hours before bedtime, so it puts you to sleep when you want it to and wears off by the morning. It also takes about 2 weeks to get used to, so be prepared to be a bit groggy for a couple of weeks.

Mummysgogetter · 09/05/2022 20:58

@Gonewalking do you have any ill effects taking it with codeine?