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Original poster

Amitriptyline for sleep issues

29 replies

StartingGrid · 18/08/2020 19:14

Can anyone advise have they been prescribed this for difficulties sleeping? When a doctor is loathe to provide sleeping pills is this a reasonable alternative? If anyone can share their experience I'd be grateful!

OP posts:
Sharpkat · 18/08/2020 19:16

I have taken it and it really worked for me. My mum also takes it. The main issues I had were that it made my mouth permanently dry and I was constantly drinking or sucking sweets. It also gave me brain fog in the morning and it took me a bit longer to get going. But overall it was a positive experience.

Original poster
StartingGrid · 18/08/2020 19:41

Thanks for your reply... were you just on it for a short amount of time? Had your GP tried many other options before that?

OP posts:
Sharpkat · 18/08/2020 22:08

I was on it for a long time (years) and my mum has been as was my grandmother. It seems to work for us as a family. I had tried a lot of options before and nothing else worked long-term. I think I built up tolerance to other tablets. I also am unable to take any form of SSRI as I do not tolerate them at all. So, when I was able to take it it worked really well.

I know a few people who take it for sciatica/pain conditions and it has definitely helped their sleep but they all suffer with a dry mouth as well.

Funnyface1 · 19/08/2020 21:32

I was on it for 3 years for pain and never slept so well, it was brilliant in that respect. Came off it a few months ago because it's caused so much weight gain and nothing I did made a difference. Doctor said it can affect metabolism and appetite.

Was really rough coming off it. Had to wean down slowly and had lots of withdrawal symptoms but I did it. Had about a week of insomnia. Losing weight now.

dontdisturbmenow · 20/08/2020 07:30

Yes, prescribed specifically for sleeping issues. Was reluctant as people mentioned horrible dreams on it and I had that when tried an antidepressant first.

I had no bad dreams at all and slept really well for the first time in years on it.

It does come with side effects though. It affected my heart rate already naturally very low and the first time I took it, I fainted the next day but this went away. Blurry vision, some dry mouth, but the biggest issue for me was weight gain.

So I went down to taking it only twice a week and then once a week. Sadly, it isn't working as well as it used to. I've gone up to 20mg, but I don't fall in slumber sleep as I did a year ago on it.

Oddly, it mainly helps with the later part of the night, which was great for me as I tended to wake up at 4am and stay wide awake. My advice, take hours before going to sleep so you do manage to get up when you want/need to. I take it at 7pm for bedtime at 10pm.

Definitely worth a try.

Groovee · 20/08/2020 07:45

Been on it since 2009. Sleep so much better with 10mg. It did cause weight gain but I've lost that weight gain in the last 3 years and kept it off for 2 years. Had a little gain during lockdown due to baking then eating the baking.

It took me a month to get used to it. Was very groggy and it was horrible with a whooshy head. But now there are no side effects.

remainin · 20/08/2020 08:07

It's a tricyclic antidepressant.

emmathedilemma · 20/08/2020 10:21

I took it for nerve pain (it didn't work!) and whilst I slept like a log I felt like death warmed up during the day.

DarkMintChocolate · 20/08/2020 17:01

DH was prescribed 10 mg to help him sleep, through pain. I advised him to take it at 7 pm for a 10 pm bedtime (I’ve had it for pain too). He slept like a log, it relieved his constant anxiety and he was fine the next day.

He still takes it occasionally to help him sleep when he is very anxious! (Think GAD)

Original poster
StartingGrid · 20/08/2020 20:15

Thanks all... can I ask, did any of you specifically ask for it, and also what else had you tried in the past in terms of sleep aids?

OP posts:
goose1964 · 20/08/2020 21:42

I take it for chronic pain. I didn't think it did much but after running out the difference when I took it was amazing, without it probably 4 to 5 hours a night, with 7 to 9.

Lovebug06 · 20/08/2020 21:44

I took it for years and I found it brilliant.

boogiebogie · 20/08/2020 23:23

Have you tried valerian? The anti depressant has some horrid side effects. No blue light... Even low dose melatonin may be better if desperate.

Bettysprocker · 20/08/2020 23:25

Never asked for it but I've taken 50mg to help me sleep for years. No weight gain either, which I actually need.

picklemewalnuts · 20/08/2020 23:30

I take it. I wasn't sleeping deeply, so in a light sleep all night.
Now I sleep properly. It helps with chronic pain, too.

It certainly doesn't 'put you to sleep'- at least not after the first few doses. It just relaxes you so you can fall asleep, and then stay asleep.

I sometimes need a morning alarm now, whereas before I tended to wake up with a start before 6.

pinkmagic1 · 20/08/2020 23:31

I took it for sciatica but had to stop as it have me horrible nightmares.

picklemewalnuts · 20/08/2020 23:34

I take 30mg and 40mg alternately. I try to keep it down, but can't quite manage on just 30.

Onesipmore · 20/08/2020 23:37

I have shocking insomnia. Had it for years. Im actually quite desperate now. Tried the usual Valerian, milky drinks, warm baths, anti histamine, lavender, no alcohol, alcohol, no caffeine, mertazipine, diazepam melatonin phenergen and now finally Zopiclone. Zopiclone works occasionally, but Dr will only give a week at a time. I dont know what to do really :(

PickAChew · 20/08/2020 23:38

It's great but prepare for an I initial period of rather trippy dreams.

dontdisturbmenow · 21/08/2020 17:25

Thanks all... can I ask, did any of you specifically ask for it, and also what else had you tried in the past in terms of sleep aids?
I did and the go was very happy to prescribe. I had tried everything listed above and more.

superstar63 · 21/08/2020 21:16

I tried it for a couple of nights for insomnia but it made me feel dreadful the next day so I gave up. Maybe I should have persevered as I still dont sleep well.

maggiso · 21/08/2020 22:50

I was prescribed a very low dose for nerve pain and ME that meant I could not sleep. I also always been a poor sleeper. I found it helped to take the tablet 12 hours before I needed to get up- ie 7 pm. It has a mild soporiphic effect, but could leave me dozy in the morning if I took it too late! I was prescribed it by my chronic pain team. When I first started it I did not think it helped with the chronic pain- but slowly slowly, better sleep has helped with general recovery. I was not keen when it was first suggested ( because it is, when used at a higher dose , an anti depressant) but was willing to try it- because as a mum I had to find a way to get more able.

picklemewalnuts · 22/08/2020 07:15

It doesn't in any way knock you out, I'm staying at my mother's at the moment and struggling to get to sleep- normally I'd be fighting sleep by 9pm. What I mean is, having been on them for a while, I don't worry about taking them when driving or anything.

Megegg · 08/11/2022 08:58

I was on this for postpartum insomnia started off at 10mg then went up to 20mg it’s been working a treat! i decided I wanted to go off it as I don’t want to become reliant on a tablet to sleep! I’ve been off it 6 days now and the last 2 nights had trouble sleeping! Not sure if I’m making it worse as I felt before I went off them “why if I can’t sleep when I go off these” I’ve been on them for 4 months! Has anyone been in a similar position as I’m looking for some positivity that I will sleep without them again 😀

Starrr123 · 26/11/2022 11:44

@Megegg how was you continuing this post? Im in the same boat xx

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