Amitriptyline

knuckleduster

To take or not to take - that is the question?

A couple of weeks ago I posted my doctor had prescribed me 10mg amitriptyline. I must say I have had some decent sleep since, but are they as addictive as sleeping tablets? I don't want to get hooked on a sleeping aid and then find it difficult to sleep without some type of medication. I also take 125mg thyroxine and she said the amitriptyline would make the thyroxine work twice as hard (or did she say twice as effective?) Would welcome comments from other amitriptyline users on the forum.

No sun here today and as my tortoise hasn't popped his head out of his house this morning, then it's going to be a dismal day. He is very good at forecasting the weather.

Janet x

richy

im far from an expert and new to all this rhumey business, my gp also prescribed me amitriptyline, a long while back before i was reffered to the consultant, but when i looked it up on line before i took them,,,

they were discribed as anti physicotic drugs for the suicidal and violent, and also for the treatment of bed wetting, so to be honest i never took them,,,,



Amitriptyline treatment for reducing depressive symptoms, these types of tricyclics also ease migraines, tension headaches, anxiety attacks and some schizophrenic symptoms. It is also known to reduce aggression and violent behaviour

deedeeitsme

Hi there...I've been on amitrip for about a year now and can say they help me most of the time. The dose we are prescribed are very low doses to help relaxed the muscle, I take 20mg a night and I always take them around 6pm and I am usually ready for bed about 10pm. I have been told that if needed I can gradually up my dose to 75mg per night but have found that if I do increase I feel really groggy in the morning so I stick to the 20mg which seems to suit me. Talk to your gp about any concerns you have and perhaps ask him to explain how they work for people with arthritis as opposed to people with mental illness, he can explain better than I can.

x Dee x

barbara12

Hi Janet
I am on 75m at night, but to be honest I haven't a clue if they are addictive, I just know that in large doses they are for depression, I do remember the pain clinic saying if you come off them it has to be over a few weeks.
One thing I do know is they work...good luck with them x

bubbles

Hi Janet

I have taken Amitrip for about two years now, on top of a cocktail of other pain killers and cardiac drugs. They were prescribed for me, to help with neuropathic pain in my legs and feet (a side effect that was found to actually be of benefit, which makes a change ). Yes, they are an anti depressant, GP's often refer to them as "old fashioned", but, they do help with relaxing the muscles and also the mind. Whether a drug is addictive is always up for debate, you have to weigh matters up and if the result is such that it helps with your condition and that condition is not a temporary one, which will get better in a short time, then I am all for it.

Many of us have more than one medical problem as well as arther and many of the drugs taken have a risk of dependence, such as Co Codamol, Tramadol, Pregabalin, Diazepam, Prozac, Amitrip, zopiclone, to name but a few. Well, I take all of those and would not function at all without them, their benefit to me far outweighs any worry of becoming dependent on them. My conditions will not get better, therefore the treatment given is monitored and reviewed regularly to make sure it remains at its most effective level. I am rambling, sorry. The dose you are taking is a very small amount and helps you rest, which is good. There is a very slight risk of an increase in the effect of thyroxine and amitrip, when taken together, which is considered minor. XX Bubbles

knuckleduster

Thank you everyone for your kind replies to my query.

Barbara and Bubbles you have put my mind at rest, especially with the effect of thyroxine in the mix. I think it's always a bit of a worry when you're given a different drug and I'm very likely looking for side effects which aren't there. I know the drug companies have to list all possible side effects, but when I read the blurb I automatically think OMG! Must be taking after my dear Dad because he would read every little detail about his tablets and would write to the drug companies saying something like "I've got this, do you think it's so and so drug?" I used to laugh, but now I know how he felt.

Onwards and upwards as the saying goes.

Janet x

bubbles

knuckleduster wrote:

Thank you everyone for your kind replies to my query.

Barbara and Bubbles you have put my mind at rest, especially with the effect of thyroxine in the mix. I think it's always a bit of a worry when you're given a different drug and I'm very likely looking for side effects which aren't there. I know the drug companies have to list all possible side effects, but when I read the blurb I automatically think OMG! Must be taking after my dear Dad because he would read every little detail about his tablets and would write to the drug companies saying something like "I've got this, do you think it's so and so drug?" I used to laugh, but now I know how he felt.

Onwards and upwards as the saying goes.

Janet x

Thank you Janet, I am glad you are more settled about things. You are right, if the drug companies fail to go to the far end of the field, I am sure someone would take them to court over something, in this litigation culture of ours.

When it comes down to it, our individual treatment and management can take some juggling around, to find a level that makes life a bit more tollerable. Take lots of care, XX Bubbles

frogmella

When I came off the ami I felt awful. I also felt awful coming off tramadol. I think there is a certain amount of physical dependance rather than mental, if you see what I mean. I certainly wasn't "addicted" to either as I was taking them for pain (at different periods in my life, not together but did notice a physical change when I came off them. Ami withdrawal gave me the worst headache ever!!

jenzie06

Hiya
I went through what was described as 'withdrawal' from amitrip when I stopped it to become pregnant after 10 years of taking it. It was 3 days of me feeling absolutely awful, crawling skin, flu like symtoms. It was only afterwards one of my nurses said it was due to the amitrip. But I think after taking something for years then it is only natural for your body to become dependent on it. I have had no ill effects and have started taking it again as it helps me cope as I actually get some sleep!
Hope that helps.

bubbadog

Hi Knuckleduster, I wanted to say I've been on Amitriptyline for about (wow!) 8yrs!! I've had periods of coming off them for 1-3 months while I've had to try meds that could clash with Amitriptyline or been in hospital. And had no cold turkey effects. I find Ampitriptyline to be a good med for relaxing you and helping you get off to sleep. I've had to have the dose increased due to being on it so long and it not working effectively. Hope this helps.

hileena111

Hi Knucleduster
I can only say that in a small does it is a muscle relaxant and the larger does is for depression.
Saying that I dont take it. I was prescribed it but at the back of my mind {before I got the prescription} was the nagging doubt that it was contra-indicated with some anti convulsant meds I take. I have epilepsy as well as many other things but have been clear for about 30 years even if I still take the meds. Anyway I rang the GP....no they are fine for you to take.....are you sure??? I'll look it up he said.; He came back and said yes it was contra-indicated but the dose I was on **he didnt think it would do any harm** is there any chance it could I asked?
Well I cant give you a written guarantee but I doubt it. So I decided not to bother getting the prescription if there was the slightest doubt at all.
But thats only me and my meds.

Love
Hileena

bounce

Hi Janet.

I take Amitriptyline of a night as well as having hand arthritis I have carpal tunnel syndrome too, and it was prescribed as a long term medication as it is quite good as soothing nerve pain,

The nerve pain always particually strikes at night just as im trying to get a good nights sleep, and so I use this medication to really dull down the nerve and help me get a good nights sleep.

I have used it with a few various pain duller meds over the months, what have been prescribed at different intervals, and I have found no problems with the mix of meds with the Amitriptyline, thank goodness.

when I was first prescribed it I said Im not depressed and the pain clinic explained that in small doses it does really help dull down the nightly nerve pain so at least you can get a few hours sleep instead of the 3 or 4 I was surviving on.

Its one of the best medications I am taking as I do get a decent nights sleep nowadays, so Im less stressy and irritable too. :-D

I hope my viewpoint helps, as I had just read your post over the Amitriptyline.

all the best

Julie

knuckleduster

Grateful thanks everyone for your kind replies.

I'm giving it a go and sometimes it helps me to sleep and sometimes it doesn't. But otherwise okay.

Janet xx

lizzy100

its not a sleeping pill its an antidepressant type drug so its not addictive. i tried it and it totally knocked me out and i literally couldnt get up in the morning. but some people are fine with it. these things are always worth tryin, no harm in that