Amytriptyline (Elavil)

[hoping]

Do any of you use Amytriptyline or Nortriptyline for pain/sleep?  I remember it as very drying.  But I'm desperate for relief and sleep. I currently use Trazadone, but it's become ineffective.  Any other suggestions?

Karin

[Chickpea]

Hi Karin

So sorry to hear that you're not sleeping well and that the pain is so bad.  I used Amitriptyline for a few months and then switched to Nortriptyline, just 10 mg at night.  The neuro suggested it might help with neuropathic pain.  I found the Amitriptyline very drying but the alternative is ok, but I'm not sure how effective it is.  I generally get a block of 4 hours sleep and then bits and pieces for the rest of the night. 

Hope you find some relief soon.

Thinking of you - Chickpea

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

I take Amitripyline but I just take 10mg at night. It's to help with nerve pain in my neck. I was taking 25mg but that was too drying. 10mg isn't so drying and does take the edge off the pain but it doesn't help me sleep. My sleep pattern's appalling.

Take care - Scottie 

[harrigan]

I'm on 50mg Ahatriptyline at night although I hope to lower the dose back to 25 when the plaquenil begins to take effect.  I was having really painful leg spasms, arms, hands and feet pains that kept me from sleep.  I struggle to get up at 6am, even taking them at 8pm, but for now it is worth the drowsiness to know I will sleep. 

I think I have a couple of film scripts and a Pullitzer Prize winning novel from the dreams though!!  xx Ailsa

[loulou]

HI karin

I was in the same way not sleeping, suffering headaches, aches and pains. I was put on ampytriptyline at 10mg a night, i would not be able to sleep if i didn't take it, i tried weaning off it and the impact was almost immediately.

I actually half the 10mg at night at the moment, it can be drying but i need to sleep and keep the headaches under control. The lack of sleep becomes a cycle and the symptoms are worse because your not having restorative sleep.

Like with most meds, its not for everyone, but i dont think i will be able to stop it, and i haven't experienced horrible side effects. I do feel totally zombied in the morning though.

I wish you the best in finding a resolve to your lack of sleep.
TAke care

loulou

[ruby52]

That brings back such fond memories for me of the first time before a formal dx was found.I was asleep min. after I took it.Mouth wide open,snoring to beat the band lol.My DH teased me so bad and I just grinned so glad to hear I slept that good.It was drying and alas stopped working.Couple yrs. later another Dr. tried it again and I just felt sick taking it so no dice.God but the memories of that kind of sleep still makes me smile and wish.
                                                                     Ruby

[Katybarstool]

Hi Karin

I was initially prescribed 10 mgs of amitrriptyline for peripheral neuropathy, and found it helped a lot. The GP was keen to increase it to 25 mgs for my 'depression'. I was sceptical but wondered whether the 25 mgs would totally eliminate the PN pain. It did, and the side effect was 7 hours good quality sleep. This was wonderful, as tendon pain in my legs had previously caused a lot of pain when lying down. Although I didn't think I was depressed, my mood has been a lot better since the increase.

Regarding the dryness - that's a difficult one. It does make me dry, but I have to take an antihistamine every day due to multi-allergies, so that also makes me dry, but life is unbearable with lots of allergies, so I take these drugs on a benefits and risks basis.

On balance, I think I will stick with the Amitirtiptyline. BTW, it also helps somewhat with the IBS.

Kathyx

[hoping]

Thanks so much for your replies.  I think getting pain relief and sleep would definitely be worth a little more dryness.  I will ask my pain doc. tomorrow on it.  It may also help eliminate use of a couple other meds that just aren't working or aren't appropriate.

Karin

[TerriJ]

Karin,

I took a started with only 5 mg of Amitripyline and it made me feel really, really spacey, so I stopped taking it.  The doctor said I should have tried staying on it longer, but I was barely able to function.  My mom and sister both take it to help prevent migraines though and have no problems. 

Reading some of the replies I wonder if it would work with my pain?  I use Tramadol and it does help and I seem to be able to tolerate it.

Terri