Can anyone discuss 'Low dose amitriptyline' with me?

[KatyMac]

It's been suggested as a method of pain management and controlling IBS; any thoughts?

DH takes it for IBS and back nerve pain along with a cocktail of other drugs as he wasn't sleeping due to pain.

He sleeps lots and is always tired but that could be down to meds or down to being unwell.

My dd13 takes up to 75mg daily for neuropathic pain. She falls asleep quickly after taking it but doesn't seem to have any trouble getting up in the mornings.

I was prescribed it for insomnia. It really did the trick. I did get a hangover with it at first, felt really foggy during the day, but that went after a couple of weeks.

I came off it when I got pregnant, and am back to the misery of insomnia

OP I think it is worth giving it a go. At least if you hate the side effects you can just not take the tablets. There are no (as far as I know) ongoing side effects once you have stopped. I tried for about a week the first time I was prescribed them, but the children were waking in the night (illness) and I found it hard to get up but this time around I am managing fine on the 10mg.

The GP thought the consultant might suggest it - but the consultant said no way

So I don't really have a choice

First time ever on health page and I come across this thread. I've been on it for a year+ now and can honestly say it has saved me!! I am menopausal and didn't sleep for 10 days once, shoulder and hip pain. Amitryptyline was suggested and was so desperate I gave it a go. 8 hours sleep a night and wake up pain free. (also got Memory foam bed which helps enormously). can be a bit sluggish in the morning but was worse before. I do try and have a break every now and then but the DR reassures me that 10mg is safe to take long term. Give it a go... Good Luck.

Hi,

I was started on low dose amitriptyline several years ago for IBS. Worked wonders, although the first few weeks were hard with the side effects. I've since been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome and chronic pain so I've never stopped taking it. The dose has fluctuated up and down, but i'm currently only on 10mg. There are side effects, if I take it too late I get drowsy the next day, I always wake with a dry mouth. However, my IBS is manageable and I get refreshing sleep. I very rarely have IBS flare ups now!

It was explained to me as slowing down peristalsis, ie the regular contraction and movement of your bowel. by slowing this down, it reduces the cramps you would experience with an over active bowel. For me this works, because the more active my bowel is, the worse my cramps are. I don't watch my diet much except for keeping up the fibre to avoid constipation.

That sounds really good - it's a shame my consultant doesn't think it's suitable

I've been prescribed it for ibs and post gallbladder removal phantom pains. I'm on day 6 now. Still feeling very sedate and still in pain. Going to carry on taking it though and hope it improves things

I found it made me gain weight over time.
My doctor also said that it is often given at too low a dose for pain and that the evidence shows you need 75mg for effective relief of back pain. 75mg is still a low dose compared to what they would prescribe for depression.

Other newer antidepressants that alter norepinephrine may help with pain with less side effects than amitriptyline.

Longtime, that's my biggest fear, gaining weight. As crazy as it sounds i don't want to take anything that may increase my weight especially as I've just got myself back into healthy bmi.

I'm probably going to go back to my gp, having thought about it more today whilst I've been at work. It's sedative affects are just too strong for me to be doing my job safely, and given what I do I have to I don't have the time to give it to settle down