Amitriptyline

[Jellyjumpers]

I have been prescribed amitriptyline for nerve pain from sciatica and endometriosis. I am hoping this will help to stop me being awake at night with pain.

From previously taking this I remember it is sedating but wondered how long it is likely to take to get used to a 10 mg dose.

I had a brilliant nights sleep last night, but was in bed for twelve hours. My biggest problem has been pain that waits me up and stops me sleeping. While I still felt in pain last night I was just able to fall straight back to sleep..

While I am feeling sleepy in the morning I was able to get up and do things.

That's good news 

Sounds like it’s working well for you. After you’ve settled into it, if it’s not quite cutting it with the pain you could always discuss upping it slightly with your GP. This is what I’ve done in order to find the therapeutic dose and there’s no problem cutting the pills in half (with a pill cutter preferably)

I assume I should wait a couple of weeks to know what impact it has on the icon? The gp has prescribed 10/20 mg but not really sure when I know if I need to change the dose. To be honest I can manage the pain in the day if I am not exausted.

I would say try to manage one on the lowest possible dose that works for you (I don’t like pills!!) You might well be fine on 10mg, but it’s good to have the choice to go higher if needed. I agree with waiting 2 weeks before changing the dose if you feel the need. It’s only a small dose anyway and taken in much higher doses (over 100mg) for depression

Yes I would prefer to stick with the lowest possible dose. Its good to have had the advice that it can take a couple of weeks to hit full effectiveness, without this I may have been inclined to consider upping the dose as my daytime pain has been the same.

I take that Ian or sciatic nerve damage. It doesn’t do anything much for daytime pain but it keeps me a sleep all night so I can cope better with daytime pain. I was groggy for first two weeks on waking but now never groggy at all. Being able to sleep without pain has done wonders for me so I am very thankful for ami.

I was on 20mg and felt constantly lethargic and put on a ton of weight. Hated the drug.

Following with interest. I’ve been prescribed this for pain. I’m concerned it may interact with other meds so I’m off to the pharmacist today to check.

@Wolfiefan I had concerns too as I take other meds but for me it’s fine - if anything the Ami concentration might be a bit higher. You can always double check by using the interaction checker on www.drugs.com.

Its interesting how everyone reacts differently to medication.

I do have some sciatic nerve pain, possibly due to endometriosis and agree it is good to get a full nights sleep.

I am a bit concerned about being in work next week as still feel very sleepy but am ok as the day goes on.

I take 50 nightly, for nerve pain and restless limbs at night which was driving me insane.

Works very well, though I have to be careful as if I forget to take it at 8pm and it gets too late then the next morning will be a wash out. I do get bad heart burn if I take the tablet when I’m lying down. That shouldn’t be a problem for anyone else, it’s difficult for me as I’m mainly bed bound.

A GP tried to raise the dose to 100mg to deal with migraines and it turned me into an absolute zombie, it was awful. He insisted it would get better and I was just making a fuss, and I was bullied into keeping on with it for months. I was too zonked out to think clearly and just say no. It was a very foolish idea as I was also taking high dosages of other drugs that were interacting to make it all worse. I think my brain functioning was really rated as important by him, grrr. Anyway, I just went down off it without his ‘permission’ in the end, and felt much better within a few days. Changed GP’s shortly after too!

I do like that this drug is very predictable so once you can work out how it effects you, you can make it work for you, taking it a bit later or earlier as you need. Other, more modern drugs don’t have this predictable effect as they seem to be so easily effected by anything and everything!

Good luck with it.

Yes we do indeed all seem to react differently. I’ve put on about ½ stone in the past few months - since I upped my dose. Could be the Ami, might be my fibroids have grown or multiplied further - (extra flab seems to be all on lower stomach and I feel my uterus has pushed out a bit), might be menopause - or simply I’ve become more sloth like and haven’t reduced food consumption accordingly

I tried reducing from 30 to 25 mg and nerve tingling came back slightly - also woke up more in the night, but that then settled down.

Thanks @Over50andfab. I will do. Just worried that the leaflet that comes with the pills explicitly says don’t take them together!!

@Wolfiefan that doesn’t sound good. Whoever prescribed them should have checked what else you are taking.

If Ami is metabolized by the same enzymes that you other meds are there can be a problem in that one/both might be more or less effective. Pharmacists are great at knowing this stuff though.

Taking some meds differently - ie I take HRT in patch form instead of orally - can help bypass the problem

@Wolfiefan Have you been able to speak with a pharmacist? It does not seem good that you would he prescribed a combination of medications that you are not able to take.

I haven’t taken any. I’m speaking to a pharmacist this afternoon. I’m on Prozac and the pill too. Would rather check. I queried it with GP. He claims there’s no problem. Not what literature that comes with pills says.

@Wolfiefan Hope your discussion goes well. I would be interested to hear how you get on.

Thanks. GP kind of insinuated the warning was just something they “put on there”. Why would they?!!?!

Not sure maybe the warning is dose deppendant.

I think I am feeling more tired this afternoon and have just had a couple of hours sleep. Hoping I get a bit less tired by Monday.

Spoken to the pharmacist. There is a small risk. It is tiny as I’m on a small dose. A case of the risks outweigh the benefits. Hope so. I really hurt today. Please God don’t let the crappy feeling be the start of flu. Flu jab Monday.

I started on 10mg & had negligible drowsiness or benefit at that level - I'm on Topamax as well which tends to amplify any soporific effects from medication (travel sickness tablets tablets knock me right out, for example). I increased to 25mg after a few weeks, which still didn't make much difference, then to 75mg, which does help (and I struggle to get up in the morning if I take them too late - 8pm or earlier is good). I try to go up, wash my face & get ready for bed, take meds, then go back down - so I can just brush teeth & go to sleep when I'm ready. I'm still trying to adjust as I've only been on this dose a few weeks & keep forgetting, but it's better & I'm in less pain.

Not sure how well it is working tonight. Took a dose at seven but am still awake.

I take 50mg for sleep but don't see any benefits. I still only get 3 or 4 hours, one hour at a time.

I am really pleased I have started to take this. I think I am starting to see a difference in my pain levels.