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Amitriptyline

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nikkiwhyte

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Type 1
Hello!

I've just been prescribed Amitriptyline for my painful legs and arms. The doctor is still hopeful that I will only have to take this for a small period of time until my levels are controlled better (fingers crossed).

Just wondered if anybody else are on these meds and how they effect them - slightly weary considering they are anti-depressant although pain needs to be fixed!

Thanks guys.
 
I was prescirbed these for pain about a year ago to do with my Ulcerative Colitis and to say i went into a catatonic state for 3 days was an understatement, i registered my hubby and kids coming but that was about it, i was in and out of conciousness for 3 days and i wouldn't touch them again if i was paid to, sorry if this is negative but i'm not the only one who has had this happen on these tablets, there a nightmare :(
 
Yes I was slightly worried about the drowsiness as I'm feeling very run down at the moment anyway. Thankfulyl at the moment don't need it for any form of depression and so am weary as to the effects to that side of things too.

Can I ask what dose you were on?

I'm away visintg family this weekend too which I have been looking forward to for months and I'm in a catch 22 situation - if I take the painkillers and they make me feel awful I ruin my weekend and if I don't take them I'll be riddeled with this pain the whole weekend. Can't win. :(
 
Quick factual point - amitriptyline has a couple of uses / indications, which require different doses. For neuropathic pain (and to treat pain after shingles), it is prescribed at 10 to 25 mg intitially, but may be raised to 75mg if required, taken each night. For depression, it is started at 75mg daily in divided doses through the day (or 30 to 75mg in adolescents and elderly people), increasing gradually to 150 to 200mg. Unfortunately, I can't post a link here to the best online resource, www.bnf.org , as it's only available to health prefessionals.

Generally, side effects are less with lower doses as given for pain, but it doesn't suit all people.

If you have any problems, then get back to your GP or pharmacist - and ask about the dose you are prescribed.
 
I've only been precribed 10mg and if the pain is still worse to up that to two tablets. Do you think I will be safe to take this and still be able to "enjoy" my weekend without the drowsiness effecting me too much? I know it's hard to say as every individual is different!
 
Sorry - it's impossible for me to tell you what to do (and would be irresponsible to try). However, you have been prescibed a pain relief dose, and the reason for taking at night (bedtime) is because being drowsy in bed is pretty normal! There is also a warning not to drive, operate machinery etc if affected by drowsiness. You could always collect the tablets, read the advice carefully, and then decide when to start taking them.
 
I'm going to take pill tonight and see how I feel in the morning. If I feel extremely tired or notice an effect I won't take more. Although this may be a sacrifice I have to take for the pain to go away :(.

Thanks for your help!
 
Dosage

Hey there, I was given 30mg so not in the high range and tbh I was in a hell of a lot of pain all the time, I have UC and caught a gastro bug which caused the pain and they'd tried pethadine and in the end cause of the effect of the amitripshit as i call it they gave me morphine, luckily never had it again.......touch wood and anything else in the vicinity 🙂
 
Pain is a personal thing and we all experience it differently (apart from the obvious gender thing).

My husband has osteoarthritis and has a lot of pain. I got him a TENs machine, which I realise wont work for everyone.

If worried about the dose you are on or the side effects, chat to pharmacist or doctor.
 
if you take it tonight you should know you you feel in the morning and can base your weekends decison on that.
I find myself more sleepy on my medication, it;s not really drowsiness, I can just fall asleep as soon at a get in bed, and I haven't seen the end of any programmes I've started watching because if all asleep. When I'm up in the day I'm fine though.
 
I have been on Amitriptyline for 2yrs now, only small dose of 35mg to take the hedge off the back pain along with pain killers.
This effects everyone differently, but they can make you drowsey for the first coulple of weeks then it wears off as you get used to them.
You must be careful if driving or using machinery.
You could as someone said read the leaflet you get & decide for yourself. You could think about doing one of two things, either cope with the pain & delay taking the Amitriptyline which will be hard and requires a lot of perseverance and enjoy your time with your family. Or wait and then start the Amitriptyline on your return.
You have been prescribed a very low dose, you should take them at bedtime. You may not get the drowyness as everyone is different.
Only you know how much pain you can take.
Good luck in what ever you decide.
 
Hi I was on Amitriptyline 75mg at night for a couple of months to sort out Neuropathy pain , I also took Tramadol and Lyrica ( Pregabalin) I am not taking any of them now as the pain has completely gone now that my sugar levels are not in the 20's constantly , bare with it if you can I am sure it will help. You are usually told to take them at bedtime so as to avoid drowsiness during the day. Good luck.
 
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