amitriptyline and weight gain.

[val4]

Hi
I recently started on 10mg amitriptyline for chronic nerve pain. I am on day 5 and am battling sleepiness even at this dose. I take it around 7pm and sleep really well but find I'm tired/weak legs all day. I'm wondering has anyone on this drug , had side effects on this low dose. I also read that it can cause weight gain. That is the last thing I need as this would make pain even worse. Is the weight gain due to reduced activity due to tiredness or does it mess up the metabolism? At moment I'm weighing up advantages/disadvantages of being on this drug. I would love to hear any of your experiences on amitriptyline. Thanks

I take this, also for pain, but massively more than you as usual around 100-125mg. I still have insomnia issues with it, but can leave you feeling a bit hungover in the mornings, especially if taken late / don't sleep well. Not really known for weight gain as a side effect, but feeling fuzzy/sleepy/wobbly is quite common, but usually levels out after taking for few weeks

You do get used to the dose in my experience. I take 25mg a night so that I can get back to sleep when I wake up for a wee (or 2 or 3) in the night (menopause).
I started on 5mg, then 10mg and needed to go up to 25mg.

I've been taking it for about a year and have actually lost 42kg in that time, I only recently heard about the weight gain aspect but it has not affected me in that way.

I've been taking 10mg amitriptyline for about 5m now. No real issues with weight gain.

It took about 2 months for me to stop feeling groggy all day. Now it's great - I sleep soundly - haven't slept like this ever - and am alert in the day.

Does bugger all for my pain, which is what it was prescribed for, but am happy to be getting the sleep.

Another on long term low dose. IMO you should be counselled more before starting this drug because you simply have to give it time to lose the hangover effects. They do pass and for many it's a very effective drug. I've also never needed to increase my dose.

Give it time. Re weight gain it honestly does depend on what you eat. Don't mean to sound flippant but its true.in suspect many in long term shronic pain can't move as much as we'd like. I am very strict about what I eat and do weigh myself regularly. I don't see any change with amitriptyline.

My doctor said the same as you Matilda - that weight gain depends on what you eat! I have been on 50mg a day since last May and have not gained any. I did put on 6 lbs over Christmas but that was down to eating enormous amounts not the amitriptyline - and have lost it now :) - so no. For about the first 3 weeks was exhausted, felt hungover the next day etc but am now fine, but do sleep really well which is a bonus. I would definitely stick with it for a few weeks.

Thanks so much for your replies. I have started it twice before but never got passed that tired/groggy stage. This time I am determined to give it a fair trial. I am on 100mg×3times of tramadol daily and top up with paracetamol as required. I also get lidocaine infusion and trigger point injections every 3 months for pain control. However during a pain flare up this doesn't give me relief. My pain specialist says that next step is to move to morphine based meds which I really would prefer not to have to take. I'm hoping that amitriptyline, along with my other meds, will work. It is great to hear positive feedback on this drug. Thanks again.

Good luck!! Honestly the first few weeks was totally drained but now feel the same as ever so you do get over the side effects (in my case anyway). Hope it helps with your pain!

I take 10mg, too and it took me about 6 or 7 weeks to completely lose the morning numbness and hangover and stop having all the weird dreams. I did feel like giving up, after about 3 weeks, at which point I'd re-named them trippy pills. but I'm glad I persevered.

I have been on 20mg since early January, and no weight gain (well, I did a couple of pounds over the Xmas hols but that was definitely not the amitryptaline ). I still feel a bit dopey in the mornings though - has helped pain (interstitial cystitis) and sleep hugely.

I've been on amytriptiline for about four months now to deal with nerve pain following a double mastectomy and radiotherapy. I have gained weight but it's more likely to be due to the tamoxifen that I'm also taking. The amytriptiline has been fantastic for the pain.

Goodness, Id not realised how high a dose I'm on compared to most

I was told that couldn't take tramadol with amytriptaline, may have to check thT one as heard few people recently say they take both, and might be more effective than the pain meds I currently have

I take Amitriptyline 25mg and Tramadol 50mg x 8 per day. (I try not to take the full 8 as they are highly addictive) I've taken them both for about 15yrs now. Tramadol either takes the edge off my pain or gets me so high I don't care about the pain, it's worth looking into

@DimplesToadfoot thanks, will ask about it as due meds review again soon