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Original poster

Amitriptyline for chronic pain

108 replies

mononokeswolf · 24/08/2019 17:15

I've recently been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and the consultant has recommended low dose Amitriptyline for 6 months to help reset my sleep patterns and for pain relief. I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share their experiences of taking Amitriptyline?

OP posts:
elephantfan · 24/08/2019 17:19

Yes I have taken it and it worked extremely well. Try it and see how you get on. It does give you a dry mouth, but IME that isn't a problem.

General0rgana · 24/08/2019 17:20

No idea on the drug & pain, but I recommend listening to Dr Chatterjee's podcasts on sleep and the circadian clock for better ways than drugs to "reset" your sleeping pattern.

Joh66 · 24/08/2019 17:22

Works extremely well for me for pain relief.

Original poster
mononokeswolf · 24/08/2019 17:22

Thank you both. It's more the pain I'm struggling with but do acknowledge that the pain is worse when I've slept badly. I will investigate the circadian rhythm podcast, thank you Smile

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milkjetmum · 24/08/2019 17:23

I have been prescribed it twice. Once for IBS pain in my early 20s, and then for chronic headaches in my late 20s. Did sod all for the IBS but was a miracle for my headaches and I felt the benefit within days.

Main thing to be aware of is the drousiness, I used to take mine once home from work but still felt fuzzy first few hours of morning. It gave me really vivid dreams!

Original poster
mononokeswolf · 24/08/2019 17:24

Thank you Joh66. Did you have any issues with side effects? I can handle having elephant's dry mouth!

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Original poster
mononokeswolf · 24/08/2019 17:25

If you're taking it short term what happened to the pain afterwards?

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SpamChaudFroid · 24/08/2019 17:27

Hi OP, I was prescribed amitriptyline for sciatica nerve pain but it didn't work for me at all. It gave me a very dry mouth as well. Am now prescribed gabapentin which seems to be working pretty well.

milkjetmum · 24/08/2019 17:28

I did a few months trial for my headaches and when I stopped taking it they slowly came back, so cycled through being on and off treatment for a while until one day they just didn't come back.

Original poster
mononokeswolf · 24/08/2019 17:28

I guess my main concerns are weight gain as that's already an issue as I can't exercise like I used to, and low sex drive as that's a mood enhancer I can still do!!!

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FatChloe · 24/08/2019 17:29

I have been taking it for just under a year for headaches and it's magic. I don't get any side effects at all. I was quite sleepy when I first started taking it (I take it at 8pm anyway) but now I'm fine.

Original poster
mononokeswolf · 24/08/2019 17:29

It sounds like people know pretty quickly if it works as pain relief or not?

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Original poster
mononokeswolf · 24/08/2019 17:30

Thank you all so much for your responses, it's really helping Smile

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FatChloe · 24/08/2019 17:31

I started on 10mg every evening and it worked straight away. Headaches came back in a couple of weeks so I upped it to 20mg as advised and that's done the job. If I forget to take them, I suffer. It definitely works for me!

Pipandmum · 24/08/2019 17:32

My daughter was prescribed it (20mg) for migraines. It takes a while to build up. She also has shoulder pain but it doesn’t help there, and only takes the edge off the migraines. She’s not very consistent with it (she’s 14) but it does make her sleep more. No weight gain or other side effects.

Original poster
mononokeswolf · 24/08/2019 17:34

I love hearing that it helps people sleep more, I struggle with that.

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sweetkitty · 24/08/2019 17:36

I’ve not taken it for fibromyalgia as I’m already tired at 9pm and struggle to get out of bed in the morning and I either have a nap after work or in the afternoon if it’s the weekend. I’m drowsy enough as it is.

Chocarocker · 24/08/2019 17:41

I have been taking it since Christmas and have definitely found that I sleep much better, helps headaches I used to get but. It sure if it actually helps the pain or just helps me relax and sleep well which in turn lessens the pain. Was very drowsy in the mornings to start with and dry mouth but this has improved now I have been taking them for a while. I would suggest taking them early evening at least to start with.

bloodywhitecat · 24/08/2019 17:43

Take it 12 hours before you want to get up, it can leave you feeling slightly hungover for the first few mornings but it works well for my pain and for sleep.

elephantfan · 24/08/2019 17:47

I found that it took a few days to get used to it, so it is worth persevering.

Lougle · 24/08/2019 17:50

If you find that you have any side effects from ad
amitriptyline, then Nortriptyline is a good alternative.

Fourcandlesx · 24/08/2019 18:00

I was prescribed it for fibromyalgia and it has changed my life although I know it doesn't suit everyone. Have been taking it 3 years and I could easily sleep 10 hours a night! I agree to take it 12 hours before you need to function or drive. As you rightly say sleep deprivation can be a huge factor in chronic pain. My only advice would be to give it a decent chance. My mum stopped taking it because it made her dream. I tried to point out that dreams could be a side effect of sleeping rather than the medication! Good luck. I hope it works for you

Original poster
mononokeswolf · 24/08/2019 18:03

Bloodywhitecat so I guess evening commitments are problematic then? Is the 12 hour drowsiness a temporary thing?

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Skinandbones · 24/08/2019 18:05

I've got it for my hand, arthritis and had surgery, I'm on 50mg and find it works very well. I still have the odd night I can't sleep. The thing with it tho is its taken at night and some days my hand aches so much during the day. Just make sure you have them in and pls don't just stop taking them.

Original poster
mononokeswolf · 24/08/2019 18:06

Fourcandles my dreams are incredibly vivid at the moment anyway so I can live with that if I'm actually sleeping well! I love your response to your mum Grin

Thank you all again for your responses, I'm feeling a lot more positive about it now Smile

OP posts:
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