HA about heart - miracle has occurred!!!!

[CharlieM]

Hi everyone,

Hope you are all enjoying the lovely weather and having one of your good days

As those of you who comment on heart related posts will know, I have had a shocking 9 months of heart anxiety. It got so bad in June that I considered asking my family to section me just so I could be in hospital when the inevitable heart attack happened!!!

My gp prescribed me Amitriptyline for neuropathic pain relief as she was convinced my pain was real, but suggested that it had nothing to do with my heart. She thought that I had been so anxious about my heart that I had caused muscle/ nerve issues due to tensing and bad posture.

I have a referral to a neurologist and my CBT starts on Friday (tomorrow).

Anyway, after 2 weeks of 10mg, 1 week of 20mg and 3 weeks of 25mg Amitriptyline, all pain has gone. I am driving again, haven't checked my pulse, am sleeping like a baby, socialising, exercising and feeling so positive. Gone are the butterflies, the feelings of doom and my obsessive heart attack thoughts.

I will of course stay grounded, still attend my neurologist appt and go through the CBT.

I am well aware that anxiety and panic can bite back after long periods of feeling normal, but I genuinely think that this med is a miracle cure for neuropathic pain symptoms!!

Charlie

[nomorepanic]

Amitriptyline used to be and sometimes still is used for anxiety but now they use it primarily for pain relief and I hear it is very good so great news for you.

[CharlieM]

Yes Nicola,

I think I am benefitting from both its pain relief and anxiety relief properties.

Also 25mg is still quite a low dose. I believe you can go as high as 75mg daily. I don't want to stay on it longer than I need to, so hopefully I can reduce once I have seen the neurologist and completed the CB

[KeeKee]

So happy for you :-)

[Speranza]

Brilliant news! Yey!

My sister is on Amitriptyline for long-term pain, her only problem is it knocks her out so she can't have more. But it has helped both her pain and her depression.

[eddy1608]

hi charlie i am having a similar experience to you ive had pain and discomfort in my chest for 11 months had ecgs and blood work both normal. i also have poor posture and have been told this along with muscle strain is the problem so i am thinking maybe ill speak to the doc for pain relief and give it a try.

[Freaked]

Great to hear you've found some relief, CharlieM. Must ask my own doc about amitriptyline.

[Mr m anxious]

Well done Charlie mate! Unfortunately the small dose of amitriptyline hasn't helped me but on Saturday going on 50mg which hopefully will help but the good news is that I'm not anxious anymore but going for acupunture on Monday also to help my aches and neuropathic pain. I'm very active at the moment with work and home life so maybe not getting enough rest to rid me of my symptoms. I don't believe I have anything sinister anymore.

[Stormsky]

You can take up to 150mg a day. So 25mg is low.
It's an old anti depressant, not used for that so much now..
Mainly for neurological pain and to aid sleep, which the do with low doses.
I took it for 11yrs as an anti depressant , so did at one stage take highest dose you can.
My niece takes it for her back, and my dad to aid sleep.