New to Amitripyline

freesia
freesia Member Posts: 409
edited 20. Jun 2012, 18:09 in Living with Arthritis archive
I've been really struggling lately and now my Doctor has put me on "low" dose amitripyline... Not for depression but knee/joint pain.... but she said it might help a little "with my mood" too...

Does anyone have any hints / tips or advice for me, now i've starting taking these tablets... any nasty side effects....???

Fingers crossed I hope they help :)
hugs freesia xxx

Comments

  • Ldyalb
    Ldyalb Member Posts: 85
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I love my amitriptyline :) I started on 10mg, then 25mg and now 50mg as of last August. It helps me sleep and also reduces my muscle twitches and spasms (Fibro). It made a massive difference to me when I went on it, my body responded well to improved sleep (well as about improved as you can get with Fibro lol)

    Main side effect I've heard of is a dry mouth. Mine is awfully dry but a week off the Amitriptyline didn't improve it so GP is satisfied it has some other cause.

    If you do get a dry mouth then I can recommend Boots Dental dry mouth mouthwash and mouth spray. I also get prescribed some dry mouth pastilles which are sugar free and taste delish. :)
  • kittymedaughter
    kittymedaughter Member Posts: 81
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi I have taken 75mg of amtriptline for 10 years I have Fibro and Osteoarthritis in my knees, ..I usually take mine around 8pm, I get up the day after at 7pm for work and i am not too groggy..I also take 60mg codeine phosphate and 2 paracetomol before bedtime and usually i do sleep well....I have been suffering from restless legs and so I do increase my amtrip to 100 when i havent slept well for a few days and then drop back down to 75mg.... I am not aware i suffer from any side affects but i have tried to cut down my doseage in the past but I wasn't sleeping well at all, so given up now and continue to take the amtrip...play around with the times you take it but i would say early evening rather than late evening...Good luck and I hope you get some relief
  • Folara
    Folara Member Posts: 568
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I was started on Amitriptyline a few months ago and have slowly increased to 25mg but going up to 50mg. It does help me sleep a little better but it's not helping with the pain a great deal. I have osteo in my hips, knees, lower and upper spine as well as fibro. I am seeing my Pain Consultant end of next week and hoping to get something different as the pain is unbearable atm.

    I take mine at about 8.30pm and am up at 6am to get breaky and lunches done for hubby and son. It did make me groggy for a while but it's fine now.
  • magenta
    magenta Member Posts: 1,604
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Ldyalb wrote:
    I love my amitriptyline :) I started on 10mg, then 25mg and now 50mg as of last August. It helps me sleep and also reduces my muscle twitches and spasms (Fibro). It made a massive difference to me when I went on it, my body responded well to improved sleep (well as about improved as you can get with Fibro lol)

    I love my amytriptilline too! I've been on it for 12yrs now and don't plan to stop taking it. I was originally put on it for pains in my shoulders which kept me awake. I'm on 50mg but cos I'm on pregabalin too, my GP is wary of increasing it. I have fibro too and lately I've noticed that when I go to lie down my body starts to twitch/spasm. Is that the fibro then?

    Magenta x
  • Ldyalb
    Ldyalb Member Posts: 85
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    magenta wrote:
    Ldyalb wrote:
    I love my amitriptyline :) I started on 10mg, then 25mg and now 50mg as of last August. It helps me sleep and also reduces my muscle twitches and spasms (Fibro). It made a massive difference to me when I went on it, my body responded well to improved sleep (well as about improved as you can get with Fibro lol)

    I love my amytriptilline too! I've been on it for 12yrs now and don't plan to stop taking it. I was originally put on it for pains in my shoulders which kept me awake. I'm on 50mg but cos I'm on pregabalin too, my GP is wary of increasing it. I have fibro too and lately I've noticed that when I go to lie down my body starts to twitch/spasm. Is that the fibro then?

    Magenta x

    It is common for Fibro to cause twitches and spasms. It's best to report anything new to your GP/Rheumy though just to make sure it's not something else. A lot of people I've spoken to with Fibro have some twitches and spasms, especially at night. Could also be caused my something called Restless Legs Syndrome which I've had since the age of 4; but since I got Fibro 2 years ago it's got worse. x
  • magenta
    magenta Member Posts: 1,604
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hiya,

    I keep forgetting to tell the GP about it. There's always something else to tell him and I'm very wary about asking too many things at the one appointment. It's getting quite bad now and it's not just my legs, even my neck spasms and my head jutts back. I must look a sight when lying down :D

    Magenta x
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I've taken Amitriptyline for a very long time now (many,many years!) And over time I've had to increase it due to my body getting used to it. But I do have to say even if you feel sick or have any side effects hang on keep taking it as it's the best drug on the market! I have always taken mine around the 8pm mark cause if you leave it any longer you woun't feel the effects of it.
  • freesia
    freesia Member Posts: 409
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Getting on well with the Amitripyline...

    So my Dr wants to double my dose to 20mg & slowly increase from there...
    I am sleeping better, BUT still on 15mg of Zopiclone each night... So I have got to cut down on those slowly, otherwise I'll not wake up early in the morning and be very drowsy....

    Any one else on these two med.... zopiclone & amitripyline...

    Any advise welcome...... thank you
    hugs freesia xxx
  • Annah
    Annah Member Posts: 92
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I can't even tolerate 5mgs :cry: Which is annoying as so many people seem to have great success with it.

    With me, I get such severe sedation I can't do anything, and it lasts hours and hours. Fortunately, there are other antidepressants which can help with pain and I've had success with Citralopram, and I take an antihistamine to help me sleep at night.

    I think its important to remember that often, the only way to know if something is helpful is to try it. Particularly with chronic pain conditions. So all the best of luck with it. I'm told my extreme reaction is very rare (typical for me - can't have common problems!)

    The one tip I did have is to take it early in the evening, not just before you go to bed, as it takes a long time to kick in and you don't want it kicking in an hour before you're due to get up.
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    I'm annoyed that I cant take it.......contr-indicated with other meds I take :( Any reports I've read about it ....people seem to think its fantastic......wish i could take it.
    The only thing I was warned about was take it very early so you aren't drowsy the next morning
    Good Luck with it

    Love
    Hileena
  • sbolam
    sbolam Member Posts: 374
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I took my first dose last night, and I have to say, It was one of the best nights sleep I have had in a long time.

    AMAZING STUFF.
    04_pain.jpg
  • freesia
    freesia Member Posts: 409
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    sbolam wrote:
    I took my first dose last night, and I have to say, It was one of the best nights sleep I have had in a long time.

    AMAZING STUFF.


    Really pleased for you.....
    I had a full day at work yesterday - absolutely shattered when I got home, so tired anyway, took one pill & slept 10.5 hours wonderful.....!!! feeling very relaxed and happy this morning (still got pain in knees, but to be able to sleep well certainly helps....)

    Have a good weekend
    hugs freesia xxx
  • pinkbritishstars
    pinkbritishstars Member Posts: 731
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I'm on 75mg for tarsal tunnel and depression. It helps me sleep but I wouldn't say I sleep well.

    I haven't noticed any side effects.

    Pink xx
  • JoeB2
    JoeB2 Bots Posts: 31
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I've been on low dose Amitrytiline for around five years. I've found it very useful. It is included in the new guidelines for chronic pain management.

    Arthur
  • Melrymax
    Melrymax Member Posts: 226
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I had taken it for about 4 months and had started to notice a difference.... Then I got pregnant, had to stop it all of a sudden and holy cow do I know about it!!!!! Can't wait to get back on it. I was taking 20-30mg, was just starting to increase it.
  • freesia
    freesia Member Posts: 409
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Still getting on well with the 20mg Amitripyline at night time..... BUT....

    Has anyone had this....
    I can go all night without having to get up for a wee, which is great... But feel slightly "water retaining" then pee for Britain through the day, is this normal... Or just me...??
    hugs freesia xxx
  • sbolam
    sbolam Member Posts: 374
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    well I have been on them for 3 weeks now and I have to say...WOW.

    before them I would be up during the night becuase of the discomfort as well as not being able to get comfortable constantly up for a pee. but now I have found that 20mg works a treat. I now sleep fairly well and even tho i get up for a pee its like i am sleep walking :P

    and I am not so moody either lol
    04_pain.jpg
  • Heather65
    Heather65 Member Posts: 262
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    HI,
    Ive just been given amitripyline to take for my neck pain only 10mg but doc says i can take two my problem is i work nights so do i take it just before i leave work 4.30am or wait untill i get home around 5 ish ,i have have been having problems with sleeping so i hope this wil help,
    Heather :)
  • lavenderlady
    lavenderlady Member Posts: 409
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I've just been taken off of them I took 75mg every evening for around 8 years but lately I have felt woolly headed and not with it, my kids thought it could be the start of dementia Mums got it and her mum had it have felt clearer headed but in more pain but no more dry mouth which is great and a blood test cleared any worry about dementia, I do miss them but also feel the benefits ( apart from the pain increase) I suffer with so much pain having OA in all of my joints spondelothesis and nerve pain amongst other things, so if you do feel like this even after so long as me then it could be worth checking it out
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