Amitriptyline, what's your experience with this drug?

Agape

Hi, I just wanted to ask those of you who take Amitriptyline how you get on with it. I take Lyrica and co-codamol for pain but find that Lyrica gives me an appetite and have heard that Amitriptyline has the same kind of effects. I have been prescribed this as I find it very hard to get off to sleep at night and they say it will help me sleep. Any experiences / advice will be very much appreciated. Thx

Wobbly

Hi I was taking amyltryptaline until abt 4 mths ago. Its great for getting u off to sleep and keeping u asleep in my experience.
I was changed to gabapentin as i have some nerve trapment and gabapentin was supposed to deal with nerve pain better - not convinced ant that last statement.
But loved the amitriptyline for sleep also felt it kinda kept my mood quite leveled out am a bit up n down now not on it any more. I wasn't on a massive dose 30 - 40mg a night but give it a try n c how it goes. Hope it gives u lots of lovely sleep xx

stremlett

I have been taking amitriptyline for about three months. I am awake five or six times each night because of carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands (as part of a rich tapestry of rheumie troubles. It helps me to sleep and although I still awaken frequently I get straight back off again. The only side effect for me is a rather dry mouth all the time. The doc said it would change my perception of pain but I'm not finding that. Since becoming ill seven months ago I have lost six pounds. I think it is worth giving it a go.

Agape

Thx everyone, from yr replies I think I will give Amitriptyline a try. This decision has been going around in my head as Lyrica has given me an increased appetite and as mentioned previously I have been concerned that I will put on even more weight which in turn affects my arthritis pain (carrying more lbs) but I do suffer from the lack of sleep and so I feel that I must at least give it a go. Wud u know if it's hard to come off once on it. I am starting off on a low dose of 10mg.

Many thanks

stremlett

I understand that you are worried about getting addicted or dependent on it. I was similarly worried about 30/500 cocodamol as I got into a bit of trouble with alcohol decades ago. I took the coco for three months but then stopped to see if there were any problems. There were none and I continue to have the odd coco-free days in the hope that if a problem develops I'll know early enough to confront it :-) I hope Ami works for you. Sue T

Rach101

I took amitriptyline about ten years ago to help me sleep. I think I only had 10mg but it really helped me and I had no side effects. I took it for about a year and slept well.

JenniferB27

Hi there I have been prescribed this drug too to help me sleep. I can only take 10mg as any more and I feel spaced out the following morning and find it hard to function. It does help me drop off to sleep and although I am still.awarw of the pain it doesn't seem to bother me as much x good luck

dreamdaisy

Other forum members have found that to avoid the muzzy morning-after feeling it's best to take the amytryp at least two hours before bedtime. DD

bubbadog

Hi, I've been on different doses of Amitriptyline for some time now and it has helped me drop off to sleep, depending on dose you may wake up with a hangover feeling to start but I found it passed after your body is used to it. I believe it's a great medication to help you get off to sleep if your having problems getting off to sleep due to pain. More affective than counting sheep!! LOL