DH took some of my meds and is swaying about at work

[KellsBells47w8]

I will preface this by saying I know I shouldn't be giving my medication to others, I have never before and won't again.

My DH has been suffering from terrible back pain that wasn't responding to anything. He had to be in work tonight and in desperation asked if he could have one of my Nortryptiline (like amitryptiline) tablets which I have perscribed for neuropathy, to see if it helped.

My 10mg tablets were swapped for 25mg tablets when my dose went up a few weeks ago and the fact completely slipped my mind otherwise I'd have told him to break it in half.

He has just text from work saying he felt like he was swaying when he walks and feels drowsy.

I take 50mg so I don't think 25 will hurt him but it's quite a lot for somebody who hasn't had it before.

Jesus.

How concerned need we be?

Where does he work? Please tell me he isn't a surgeon or a machine operator or god forbid a driver?!

What does his job entail? Is he in a risky environment or does he need to have good judgment or steady hands? If yes to any, he should probably tell them he’s sick and get a taxi home.

What sort of job... please not im control of machines or someone s life

I think he should come home and phone 111 surely. Only don't let him drive ffs! Collect him or call him a taxi

I'm pretty sure he'd put down the forklift/scalpel in those scenarios!

Not necessarily put the forklift/scapel/machinery down as I've known someone in a very similar situation & it didn't end well.

He isn't in charge of any machinery and his role doesn't involve driving. He does have to lift things though. I'm going to tell him to book an uber and come home. He's the sort that tries to power through, hence going to work in the first place, but he can't do his job like that.

Hopefully he’s just doing paperwork rather then operating machinery.

There’s a reason they usually tell you to take these before bed….! I take 10mg a night for bladder related issues and the main reason I find it helpful is that it helps me sleep. 😳

He’s experiencing a very normal side effect of that medication. It is known to make you drowsy hence you’re meant to take it at night.

It is also completely pointless for him to only be taking a single dose - it needs to be taken regularly for a few weeks in order to have an effect. He needs to go to his own doctor and get them to prescribe something appropriate for him.

It's the opposite for me, I take 50mg in the morning as I find that they activate me rather than put me to sleep. I know I'm unusual in that sense, that might be to do with my adhd 🙁

Because I've never had any drowsiness on them I completely forgot that most people do.

Absolutely no need to phone 111 for a common and listed side effect which somehow OP is not aware of

Reminds me of the time my ex took two tramadol thinking they were lemsip 😂
Sure he'll be fine but maybe ring 111 if you're concerned but tell him to come home

Wow that’s incredibly unusual. I would be asleep for days on 50mg, yet alone taking it in the morning! 🤣🙈

It isn't a side effect I have ever experienced therefore it didn't spring to mind.

My worry is the strength, not the fact he has taken some. If it was 10mg I wouldn't be concerned.

Even more bizarrely, I also have insomnia. I don't get one jot of benefit from the sedative aspect.. not even a normal night's kip 😂

Why are you so concerned? He is drowsy which is normal and to be expected given the dose. It’s not a big deal nor will it have any serious or lasting effect

Oh god how did that pan out for him 🙈

I take 75mg daily for depression anxiety and don't have a single side effect!

The only side effect I get is constipation 😬

I was worried that the dose might be too much for him to handle and make him ill because he's never had it before.

Swaying when he walks doesn't sound good. Feeling a bit drowsy yes but not unable to walk straight.

I once took two tramadol belonging to a friend, thinking that they were basically paracetamol.

I was violently sick, slept for 14 hours and woke up with what felt like the world's worst hangover, but no long term harm done.

Maonemeadow true . But he wasn't prescribed them op was ,therefore surely wise to check . You are not supposed to take other people's medicines for a reason you know!

Fully aware of that, I’m just not sure why all of a sudden OP is stressing out over it when she suggested that he take it in the first place. Nortriptyline is not a dangerous or highly controlled drug. The dosage that he took was relatively small and he is simply experiencing the typical side effects. Ridiculous to go bothering 111 over

I take amitriptyline for hip pain, it doesn't make me drowsy.
Today I've need to take zapain with it and I feel wobbly.

He does need to get home in case it does make him feel tired