Amitriptyline - advice

[Joy]

Hi all, I went to see my Rheumy today and she has prescribed me Amitriptyline tablets to help me sleep and control the pain that wakes me up during the night. I was reading the information sheet and there seems to be lots of side-affects, one of which I particularly disliked, which was weight gain. Not sure if this is the name of the drug in the USA, but if anyone knows anything about this medicine could they let me know their experience with it. I was allergic to Plaquenil and so I am a bit hesitant.

Many thanks

[Pisces24]

Be careful not to overdose on it. My dad took it, got his meds mixed up, took too much and had a seizure. He got over the seizure but couldn't drive for 6 mos. (It is the law.) He was a grouchy ole bear for 6 mos. Never happened again though cause we got one of those weekly pill thingys.

[Reanne]

I have taken nortriptyline, which is somewhat like the amitriptyline.  It certainly did help me sleep, but even on the low dosage, I was extremely sleepy which made the brain fog worse.  I don't remember weight gain.  I gain/lose up to 10 pounds anyway though.  I definitely think Losartan made me retain water, which caused me to gain weight.  I took myself off and lost the weight quickly without dieting. 

[MaryBee7]

Hi Friend Joy, 

Yes, I'd say major weight gain here on this drug     I had been on it several times in my life.  Each time, weight gain.  It was great for sleep, though.

[Joy]

Thanks for the replies.

Mary Bee, I am guessing that I need to cut down on those chocolates then! 'If' I managed to maintain a fairly good diet, would this stop the weight gain? Here's hoping!

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

I was prescribed amitriptyline for nerve pain. I was meant to take 25mg but it made the dryness so much worse. My GP suggested I try just 10mg atnight. It made a difference and I could cope with that.

Take care - Scottie 

[Joy]

Hi Scottietottie, I am only taking the Amitriptyline at night and at the 10mg dosage, so it's the lowest dose, but did you put on any weight with this drug? I know I would get quite depressed if I started to pile the lbs on.

[Aquarius]

Hi, Amitriptyline (Elavil) is one of the most drying drugs around. 

It stimulates appetite and can cause weight gain and increased heart rate.

It is great for sleep because it is quite sedating. 

It is a good pain reliever. 

I wish I could tolerate it but the dryness side effect is too extreme. 

Be careful with it, a little can go a very long way.  You might try cutting a 25mg in half and gauge the effects.

[Joe S.]

Joy, many years ago I was put on Amitriptyline. After a short period, I became extremely depressed and suicidal. I told the doctor and quit taking the pills. I have several friends DX with Fibro that had similar experiences.

[sarahjane]

I take 25mg pd and initially had extra dryness and epigastric pain but this soon reduced after my body got used to it. My weight gain has been as a result of Hashimoto's and Lyrica. It has helped a lot with sleep though I have the odd night of break through pain. Everyone has a different reaction to drugs. I hope you receive some clarity from all our responses!

[jazzlover]

I've taken many different tricyclic anti-depressants.. this one included. I've never gained weight from any of them. Probably if you stay at a low dosage you'll be OK.

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

I'm overweight but did not get any more so when taking the Amitrypaline. I just took the 10mg at night. I took it for about a year I think. It helped the nerve pain in my neck and maybe helped me sleep. The pain eased off and I stopped taking the med but I have some in the house and would resume taking it if I thought I needed to.

Take care - Scottie 

[Joy]

Thank you for all of your replies, I am however rather scared of taking any more of this drug as it sounds quite scary and this morning I had a very scary dream, which was unsettling, I had this experience with another med, so I haven't taken one this evening. Not sure what I should do, continue and give it time to work or stop altogether... Any advice much appreciated.

[jazzlover]

Aren't you supposed to take it at bedtime?

[Joy]

I was supposed to take it last night but I was worried so I didn't and found it really hard to get off to sleep, I am now very tired and my alarm will go off soon.