Re: Just been prescribed Amitriptyline
So is it normal to experience a relief from symptoms for a couple of weeks and then for it to return?
I feel a lot more on edge now, and can feel tension in my head again.
It worries me because I so enjoy feeling better and calm, and it scares me that I won't be able to get that feeling back sometimes. I just want to be normal!
Last night I took two tablets, will do the same again tonight. I can't feel the effect from the tablets as much as I did when I first started taking them.
Re: Just been prescribed Amitriptyline
I have been on amitriptyline some 20 years for fibromyalgia. I can't say it has noticeable side effects. Since I've been on it so long, I do not remember how it changes sleep. One time my doctor doubled the dose for a few months to attempt to prevent migraines. Can't say it did anything. I take sumatriptan a couple of times a month for the migraine.
It really does not have the side effects that citalopram does, for instance.
Re: Just been prescribed Amitriptyline
Headache has slowly increased today, I can feel that oh so familiar pressure in the back of my head, and occasionally across the bridge of my nose and around my eyes.
Classic tension.
So my initial reaction to Ami was good but now back to how I was before. I just pray that if I increase the dose it will help me. I so badly want to be pain free again.
---------- Post added at 17:13 ---------- Previous post was at 16:18 ----------
I am more tired than usual today too, keep dosing off.
Re: Just been prescribed Amitriptyline
There are some exercises for neck pain, some just require you to lay on the back on a firm mat with say a rolled up towel to support the neck.
Re: Just been prescribed Amitriptyline
Hey Aaron,
How you getting on now? Did you increase to 20mg?
I believe it is normal for the effects of Amitriptyline to taper off as it builds in the body. Remember you are on a very small startup dose. At some point you will get the dose right for you. Everyone is different.
I have levelled out on 25mg after 3 weeks. I suspect I will need to go up to as high as 50mg before I find my correct dose.
I am seeing my GP again next week to discuss an increase. For now, my pain is minimal and my anxiety is almost non-existent.
Keep us updated.
Charlie
Re: Just been prescribed Amitriptyline
Quote:
Originally Posted by
CharlieM
Hey Aaron,
How you getting on now? Did you increase to 20mg?
I believe it is normal for the effects of Amitriptyline to taper off as it builds in the body. Remember you are on a very small startup dose. At some point you will get the dose right for you. Everyone is different.
I have levelled out on 25mg after 3 weeks. I suspect I will need to go up to as high as 50mg before I find my correct dose.
I am seeing my GP again next week to discuss an increase. For now, my pain is minimal and my anxiety is almost non-existent.
Keep us updated.
Charlie
Hi Charlie,
I took 20mg the last two nights, and intend to tonight also. I am not feeling as happy as I was when I first started taking it, but will absolutely carry on and hope that I too can find a correct dose that works for me. I wouldn't say my anxiety has been bad, as it hasn't, but I just feel down. Thoughts about the mortality of life, and becoming increasingly tired of having headaches etc.
I have been trying to stay off extra painkillers, but I had to today as my head was becoming a little too uncomfortable. I suppose this heatwave isn't helping although it's great to have some nice weather so I won't moan!!
I saw my GP, she has put the 10mg tablet on repeat prescription for me, and said it's fine to carry on with them and find a suitable dose that works. I will continue increasing it and see what happens and if necessary, I can ask for the 25mg tablet, or more, if required.
Hopefully, things will improve, but I will continue to report back.
I would like to say thanks so much for replying on here, just when you think there's nothing else you can do and it's all doom and gloom, someone replies and just sprinkles some light on the situation.
So thank you.
Re: Just been prescribed Amitriptyline
Looks like 20mg is working for me at the moment, feeling good, very little pain during the day, the occasional, tolerable, headache.
Will see how I get on and report back.
Re: Just been prescribed Amitriptyline
I am taking amitryptiline but for sleep.
I've been taking 10 mg for almost 2 months now.
It helped really a lot in the beginning and for the first month my sleep was "perfect".
Then I started waking up as usual but not too bad.
Now for other reasons I am back with some anxiety issues and I slept very bad.
I am wondering if could be the tolerance to 10mg that I know it's a small dose.
I am also on citalopram so I don't know if I can increase?
Anyone on both medications?
Re: Just been prescribed Amitriptyline
Does anyone drink alcohol whilst taking Ami?
---------- Post added at 14:27 ---------- Previous post was at 14:22 ----------
Quote:
Originally Posted by
arfasc
I am taking amitryptiline but for sleep.
I've been taking 10 mg for almost 2 months now.
It helped really a lot in the beginning and for the first month my sleep was "perfect".
Then I started waking up as usual but not too bad.
Now for other reasons I am back with some anxiety issues and I slept very bad.
I am wondering if could be the tolerance to 10mg that I know it's a small dose.
I am also on citalopram so I don't know if I can increase?
Anyone on both medications?
I think there are some people on both medications. Your GP would be best to advise if you can increase one or the other.
I too have noticed that the sedative side of Ami isn't as affective. I still sleep a lot better than I used to but I do wake up a couple of times a night now.
Headaches are so much better now though so they are definitely a good tablet for me.
Re: Just been prescribed Amitriptyline
I have Fibromyalgia (FMS) and was prescribed Amitriptyline to help me sleep, something that FMS patients can have problems with. However, the side-effects from it were so bad, my GP took me off it straight away. The Pain Management Centre at my local teaching hospital checked my medical records and advised that due to my being hypersensitive to opiates and anti-inflammatory meds, there was nothing they could prescribe me for pain or sleep or advise my GP to prescribe. The specialists did advise me that Amitriptyline doesn't suit everyone.
---------- Post added at 11:35 ---------- Previous post was at 11:30 ----------
Quote:
Originally Posted by
AaronB
Headache has slowly increased today, I can feel that oh so familiar pressure in the back of my head, and occasionally across the bridge of my nose and around my eyes.
Classic tension.
So my initial reaction to Ami was good but now back to how I was before. I just pray that if I increase the dose it will help me. I so badly want to be pain free again.
---------- Post added at 17:13 ---------- Previous post was at 16:18 ----------
I am more tired than usual today too, keep dosing off.
I have FMS, AaronB, and get symptoms similar to what you are prescribing. Has your GP sent you for an MRI scan on your head and neck? Is the pain an ache or like an electric shock? Do you also experience "pins and needles" at all?