Amitriptyline

Lindamac

Hi

I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis 10 years ago. It began in my knees now wrists, hands, hips and back. I also have collapsing ankles. I pride myself on still working full time. Recently I'm struggling with a flare up and otc meds aren't working for pain. My doctor has suggested amitriptyline but I'm concerned about taking this. Does it work? Will it mess with my other meds? What are the side effects. Is this a common med to prescribe?

Linda

noddingtonpete

Hello @Lindamac and welcome to the Community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that will be your experience as well.

We have quite a few threads recently o amitriptyline recently so can I suggest doing a bit of a search on here for other discussions (magnifying glass symbol at the top) and see what others real life experiences are. Also below is the link to the medication from our website which might be of help.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/drugs/amitriptyline/

Please keep posting and let us know how you are getting on now you are here - we are all here to help each other.

Best wishes

Peter

Trish9556

Hi @Lindamac

There is another post on this subject in Living with Arthritis

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/61769/amitriptyline-for-nerve-pain

which you might find interesting.

Trish xx

Trish9556

Hi @Lindamac

There is another post in the Living with Arthritis page titled Amitriptyline and nerve pain (or something similar) which you might find interesting. I did try to link it but my original post has gone for moderation. I know links aren't allowed but thought ones from the forum would be.

Trishxx

noddingtonpete

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/715952#Comment_715952

Hi @Trish9556 your post is fine- sorry the spam filter seems to randomly pick up things which are not spam. We are looking in to it.

Trish9556

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/715953#Comment_715953

Thanks @noddingtonpete there have been a few times this year when my posts have gone for moderation...I just assume I've been put in the naughty corner...they usually appear after a while.

Trish

helpline_team

Hello @Lindamac

Thank you for posting on our Online Community. I am sorry to hear that you are struggling with a flare-up of your osteoarthritis (OA). It is understandable to have questions and concerns about starting new medication. I hope you have found Peter's and Trish's responses helpful. Pain can drag you down and limit daily activities which can feel very debilitating.

It sounds as if it would be good to talk things through further with your GP and explore different treatment options. Referral to a specialist pain clinic may be worth considering. You can also talk to your pharmacist about medication.

If you would like to talk things through informally and in confidence about your arthritis, you are welcome to call our Free Helpline on 0800 5200 520 9am - 6pm weekdays.

Amitriptyline is a type of drug called a tricyclic antidepressant. These drugs were first created to treat anxiety and depression. But when taken at a low dose, it’s also good for treating pain, especially pain caused by damage to your nerves. Amitriptyline can be prescribed to people who have arthritis and other related conditions. The low dose of amitriptyline won’t treat depression, but it should reduce your pain, relax your muscles and improve your sleep. It works by increasing the amount of serotonin your brain makes.

I hope the information given below will be of some help.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/drugs/painkillers-and-nsaids/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/managing-your-pain/

If you would like to have more replies to your post, you are welcome to repost on our Living with Arthritis forum which is another source of support to ask questions and share experiences with others facing similar challenges.

Best wishes,

Fiona, Helpline Advisor