Amitriptyline for chronic pain

[mononokeswolf]

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?

I take 50mg a night for migraine / neuralgia/ neck and shoulder pain. For me it took about 2/3 weeks to get used to it. I found taking it earlier in the evening better and adjusted my work so I didn't need to get up early. The hangover effect went after a couple of weeks. I still suffer dry mouth but the pain levels are so much reduced. As it knocks you out and starts getting your body to relax you may feel worse before you see the positives. Hang in there as I was advised you typically need 3 weeks to see the effects and they alter the doseage between 10-75mg a day for pain relief. Eight years on this and I will probably always take it now.

Day 2 was a lot better thankfully. Feeling more optimistic about it again now

Good news

@mononokeswolf - I was wondering how you got on. Good luck - my daughter has had good results with it - now takes 50mg per evening and adds 10mg when needed if pain is very bad.

She also takes CBD capsules from Holland & Barratt - 3 x capsules per night , which I think have also helped.

Thanks @bbcessex, I'm on day 3-4 now, I'm not completely zonked out at night on 10mg but it feels like I am sleeping better. I notice that I'm waking up here and there but drifting back off easily, and I'm not especially groggy in the morning which I'm happy about. I am already thinking I'll try upping the dose in a few days to see how that pans out. I'm not pain free by any means but I'm less sensitive overall.

Yesterday I felt physically better than in a while - I was even motivated to do a (very tiny) bit of running which felt quite miraculous as I've not been able to do that in weeks (I was very fit before the fibro took hold), but my memory recall for words was noticeably worse than usual and I'm not exactly full of sparkling wit at the moment.

So slight physical improvements but mentally dulled as compared to a 'good' day but much better than when having a flare up.

I took it at around 8.15 yesterday, went to bed at 10 and got sleepy after about 10.30. Woke up this morning at 7.15.

Also, for my record (I realise this is quite a useful diary!) I am almost as clumsy as when I'm having a flare up. I hope that improves - I think that's the dulled mental side, brain is clearly not engaging fully.

OP I have just been prescribed this and daren't take it yet as a bit worried! Following your thread!

Hi hotpink! I must admit I'm a bit up and down, did quite well this morning but felt odd by midday and have got back into bed. Obviously I have no idea if this is part of my usual fibro issues, the amitrip or something else entirely.

On the plus side my appetite appears to be slightly suppressed rather than increased.

I am a bit desperate for it to have some positive effect though as the fibro is much worse in the winter and tbh I've felt crap all summer this year as it is. Therefore I will give it a good go because frankly I've got nothing to lose.

Can we be Fibro buddies? I could do with people to bounce ideas off, and keep company with as we try and wrestle this beast into shape!

I've just increased my dose from 30 to 40- i needed to reduce sertraline before increasing amitriptyline. I find it helped my neck and shoulder pain very quickly. The overall tiredness and aches and pains hasn't improved yet, though.

Hopefully you'll find it improves as your system gets used to it @mononokeswolf . My DD felt really woozy and a bit sick for a few days but after things it's really helped her.

Hope it does for you too xx

Thanks for that bbcessex, as awful as it must have been to watch your dd adjust it's helpful to be reminded that it was beneficial in her case in the end. My dh keeps looking a bit worried at me.

@picklemepopcorn sounds like a great idea! How are you today? You know how you get recommended to do yoga? I used to be a real yoga fan but funnily have gone right off it since it started to hurt to do it. However, this morning I did manage a 20 minute proper little session with big stretchy poses (rather than corpse pose or child pose). It has knocked me out since I did it but it didn't hurt at least which I'm attributing to the amitrip. I'm hoping that there's a future when I can do a bit of yoga, running or swimming and not feel like I've been run over by a bus

I've been on it for chronic headaches on and off for about 4 years. It's a miracle! My main side effect was weight gain, unfortunately. But it saved me and I am now able to work, sleep, socialise and generally just be me.

Hooray!

I'm a bit low today, though I've no idea why. I've been doing really well.
I'm tracking how active I am, so I can work out how much is too much! Tai Chi is my yoga equivalent. I'm prone to injuries so worry yoga could be too much. Tai chi feels safer!

I need to lose weight- it's a vicious circle, though. So I'm trying to get more active without overdoing it!

Pickle finding that balance is like the holy grail for fms! I've got a sneaking suspicion that the 'correct' balance changes so we get caught out just when we think we're on to something. I want to start tai chi but I know now is the wrong time to look for a new activity so I'll save that treat up for when I'm feeling a bit more on the level.

Grisen that's awesome it's so effective for you, there seems to be a good number of people on this thread who find it effective for chronic headaches/migraines.

Speaking of balance... mine is shot I'm just not 'fit'- not in a jogging every morning way, just in a managing basic every day life without flaking out or falling over. I have to hold on to the wall to put my shoes on. The stairs look like Everest by tea time!

It did nothing for my nerve pain but i got a bloody great sleep with it, try and see how it works for you as you can see there is differing experiences. ,

How much do you take mrsjayy?

I take 25mg for chronic daily migraine and it's the only medication that's helped!

It's amazing at helping me sleep too - just take around 6.30-7pm and then I'm fine for waking with the kids!

I take mine about 6pm, I fall asleep between 9 and 10pm. I'm tired the next day, but that might improve with a higher dose strangely.

I've decided that I'm going to stop taking the amitrip. It's doing nothing in terms of pain relief and is making me foggy-headed and headachey at best and completely zombiefied at worst. If I was getting pain relief benefits from it then I could persevere through these side effects but my pain levels are same as usual. I can't function in my job as a zombie.

I have enjoyed the slightly improved sleep so will focus on my 'sleep hygiene' as I had some lovely routines set up and was sleeping well from it most nights.

Shame but there it is, it doesn't work for everyone, I read one research paper that said it improves fibro pain for around 14% so it was a long shot in the first place but worth a try.

Have you spoken to the pharmacist for advice? What time do you take it?

I've seen a big difference in my sleep going up from 30 to 40- though it could be a lucky couple of nights!

Maybe just give it another day until you've spoken to a pharmacist? They will know if you are likely to see any improvement in your response.

Could it be the Fibro dig rather than amitriptyline fog?

I don't suffer much with fibro fog pickle, only when I'm having a full on flare up, which I've largely managed to avoid through self management, and this was in a different league to what I've experienced before.

I'm not ruling out trying again in the future but I need to know I've got 3 weeks clear of particular duties that require me to be fully compos mentis.