Amitriptyline anyone?? - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

angelgirl · 07-08-2005, 01:50 PM

Has anyone ever been on this?? I know all people react different to meds. but I still am looking for some experiences with it..
Thanks so much..

Love and thanks, Becky

abtchonamission · 07-08-2005, 01:54 PM

I take it. It's uses are for insomnia, nerve pain, and mental depression. I take 50 mg a day at bedtime to prevent migraines. I had about 2 weeks at the beginning when I knocked me out pretty quickly after I took it, but I figure my body adjusted to it a bit, because now, I take it about 8 or 9 pm, and I go to bed on my own at 11. I've never had any bad side effects from it. Hope that helps a little.

abtchonamission · 07-08-2005, 01:56 PM

Almost forgot, when I changed doctors, the new one had no problem with prescribing it for me...he said no street value, low to no rate of addiction, sounds pretty safe.

eddie z. · 07-08-2005, 02:41 PM

I've been on amitriptyline and other very similar drugs in the past. What else would you like to know, Becky? Do you know what dose they want you to be on? There's a huge range of doses depending on what's being treated and side effects largely depend on the dose used.

Love and hugs,
Eddie

angelgirl · 07-08-2005, 03:16 PM

Hi, thanks much for the input. It sounds like it might actually be something for me, since I am struggling so much with insomnia. I REALLY look like death today, as I got very little sleep last night, and had been stressed last night.

I was prescribed 50mgs. But I am not to sure about that dose. I asked the pharmacist if it could be cut in half, he said with a pill splitter it could be done, and would not affect the med. With some meds being the type that you can not break or crush, this one is ok. So I might start at 25mgs. My body reacts really strong to medications. I seem to always ned much less than others, for the same affect. At least the majority of meds.
He prescribed it in place of the Zoloft that I decided I don't want to take. I think he thought I'd be ok, on the Zoloft, but I was to afraid of it, after the episode with the effexor. So anyway, he said iot will help me sleep, and it is supposed to help anxiety too.
I am not going to start taking it though, until after I hear the results of the tests I am having done,. For the Seretonin, and carcinoid syndromes. I just feel like I shouldn't add to the mix of everything.
I know I should not be my own doctor.... But this doctor also upped my Ativan to 4mgs. and I am totally not comfortable doubling that stuff. I believe I am ok on 2mgs. The 2mgs. is more than I have ever consistently taken, ever. There were times were maybe a day, or a couple of days I took 2 mgs. because the panic was so bad.. But never for longer than that. So I will stick witht he 2mgs.
It would be nice to start the amitriptyline and get everything under control, and be able to not medication hop the way I have been. from one antidepressant to the next..

Thanks all, Love ya Becky

angelgirl · 07-08-2005, 03:17 PM

Oh, how about the issue of weight gain??
And did it make you lethargic? Some meds that put me to sleep, keep me sleeping for days, and although I could probably use that about now, I don't want to be sleeping that much, just at night. Did you feel welll rested and up, in the am ??
Thanks again

**51anna** · 07-08-2005, 05:06 PM

I also take amitriptyline 30 mgs per day and have for 5 years. It is my lifesaver. It is not addictive for me as I had to stop it once for a month and had no problems at all, except for the return of the depression. I take it for depression, pain and it helps a bit with insomnia. I have absolutely no side effects at all. I had really difficult side effects with Effexor and Paxil. So, for me it works great. You need to allow a week or so to begin to really feel the effects on depression. For me there is no 'left-over' feeling in the morning at all.

Love, Anna

eddie z. · 07-08-2005, 07:33 PM

Run it by your doc or pharmacist first, but you may even want to start at a quarter of a tablet. Yes, it can cause weight gain in some people and lethargy in some, too, but if you "start low and go slow" you generally have less problem with side effects.

Love and hugs,
Eddie

dmajor7th · 07-09-2005, 12:01 AM

I've been on it for years, but only 10 mgs for sleep. It can cause weight gain-but as most of the people here replied-it didn't for them, so you never know. It makes me feel a little , uh, dizzy, if I take two of them. But I feel dizzy half the time anyway. Yeah, the only thing I noticed when I went off it, was a return of depression after about three days and it only lasted for a few days-but no horrible physical things. But I'm on a low dose. I hear some people are on 100mgs or more a day. You'd most likely have to taper then. It should help you sleep well. If you don't like it, you could look into trazadone. Good luck!

Josie · 07-09-2005, 12:08 AM

This is a old med...I am surprised there are so
many on this one. I was taking 25mg. and stopped
because I felt no relief...still crying jags and
depression. Maybe I should up it to
50 since it's working for everyone else.
And it is the only A.D. that I had no side effects.

angelgirl · 07-09-2005, 01:41 AM

Thanks so much all.... I heard that people take 100 mgs. I also read for someone who is hospitalized? they can dose them up to 200mgs. I read that on the website for the med..
I think this may work well for me, especially since Anna had a really bad effect of Effexor, and so did I, and it is working well for her, and so many others.
Wow, thanks, this ws an uplift tonight...
Maybe I will Quarter it, and try that first. Thanks Eddie..

Love ya ALL< THANKS BECKY

eddie z. · 07-09-2005, 08:36 AM

You're welcome, Becky!! Yeah, the doses used for antidepressant effects are much higher than the doses most of these folks are talking about. But again, if you start at a low dose and work your way up slowly, you can minimize side effects. Best wishes always!!

Love and hugs,
Eddie

still_me · 07-10-2005, 04:41 PM

HI

I take amitriptyline. I have been on it for 10 yrs now. I take 100mg at night. I have no ill side effects from it. I also can NOT take any of the ssri's. I have been on so many I don't even want to name them. They send me off the walls doing things i normally wouldn't do and I get aggresive and destructive. Anyway the only med. for depression other than the amitriptyline I can take is lithium. Keeps me level and less depressed although right now i am having a rough patch. The amitriptyline really does work, for me anyway. I do remember in the beginning that it made me VERY tired but I got use to it.

07-08-2005, 01:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
angelgirl You're never alone!! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,196	Amitriptyline anyone?? Has anyone ever been on this?? I know all people react different to meds. but I still am looking for some experiences with it.. Thanks so much.. Love and thanks, Becky
	__________________ ™ Don't tell God how BIG your addiction is, tell your addiction, how BIG our GOD is!! Jesus is our teacher and he is our Savior, who takes our prayers and makes them his own.

07-08-2005, 01:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
abtchonamission Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: In the mountain air Posts: 1,349	I take it. It's uses are for insomnia, nerve pain, and mental depression. I take 50 mg a day at bedtime to prevent migraines. I had about 2 weeks at the beginning when I knocked me out pretty quickly after I took it, but I figure my body adjusted to it a bit, because now, I take it about 8 or 9 pm, and I go to bed on my own at 11. I've never had any bad side effects from it. Hope that helps a little.
	__________________ Faith... When you come to the end of all the light you know and you are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing one of two things will happen: there will be something solid to stand on or you will be taught how to fly.

07-08-2005, 01:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
abtchonamission Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: In the mountain air Posts: 1,349	Almost forgot, when I changed doctors, the new one had no problem with prescribing it for me...he said no street value, low to no rate of addiction, sounds pretty safe.
	__________________ Faith... When you come to the end of all the light you know and you are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing one of two things will happen: there will be something solid to stand on or you will be taught how to fly.

07-08-2005, 02:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
eddie z. No expectations! Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,545	I've been on amitriptyline and other very similar drugs in the past. What else would you like to know, Becky? Do you know what dose they want you to be on? There's a huge range of doses depending on what's being treated and side effects largely depend on the dose used. Love and hugs, Eddie
	__________________

07-08-2005, 03:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
angelgirl You're never alone!! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,196	Hi, thanks much for the input. It sounds like it might actually be something for me, since I am struggling so much with insomnia. I REALLY look like death today, as I got very little sleep last night, and had been stressed last night. I was prescribed 50mgs. But I am not to sure about that dose. I asked the pharmacist if it could be cut in half, he said with a pill splitter it could be done, and would not affect the med. With some meds being the type that you can not break or crush, this one is ok. So I might start at 25mgs. My body reacts really strong to medications. I seem to always ned much less than others, for the same affect. At least the majority of meds. He prescribed it in place of the Zoloft that I decided I don't want to take. I think he thought I'd be ok, on the Zoloft, but I was to afraid of it, after the episode with the effexor. So anyway, he said iot will help me sleep, and it is supposed to help anxiety too. I am not going to start taking it though, until after I hear the results of the tests I am having done,. For the Seretonin, and carcinoid syndromes. I just feel like I shouldn't add to the mix of everything. I know I should not be my own doctor.... But this doctor also upped my Ativan to 4mgs. and I am totally not comfortable doubling that stuff. I believe I am ok on 2mgs. The 2mgs. is more than I have ever consistently taken, ever. There were times were maybe a day, or a couple of days I took 2 mgs. because the panic was so bad.. But never for longer than that. So I will stick witht he 2mgs. It would be nice to start the amitriptyline and get everything under control, and be able to not medication hop the way I have been. from one antidepressant to the next.. Thanks all, Love ya Becky
	__________________ ™ Don't tell God how BIG your addiction is, tell your addiction, how BIG our GOD is!! Jesus is our teacher and he is our Savior, who takes our prayers and makes them his own.

07-08-2005, 03:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
angelgirl You're never alone!! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,196	Oh, how about the issue of weight gain?? And did it make you lethargic? Some meds that put me to sleep, keep me sleeping for days, and although I could probably use that about now, I don't want to be sleeping that much, just at night. Did you feel welll rested and up, in the am ?? Thanks again
	__________________ ™ Don't tell God how BIG your addiction is, tell your addiction, how BIG our GOD is!! Jesus is our teacher and he is our Savior, who takes our prayers and makes them his own.

07-08-2005, 05:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
51anna Forum Leader Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Dancing in the Light Posts: 10,275	I also take amitriptyline 30 mgs per day and have for 5 years. It is my lifesaver. It is not addictive for me as I had to stop it once for a month and had no problems at all, except for the return of the depression. I take it for depression, pain and it helps a bit with insomnia. I have absolutely no side effects at all. I had really difficult side effects with Effexor and Paxil. So, for me it works great. You need to allow a week or so to begin to really feel the effects on depression. For me there is no 'left-over' feeling in the morning at all. Love, Anna
	__________________ Anna "I don't know what the future is holding in store I don't know where Im going, Im not sure where Ive been Theres a spirit that guides me, a light that shines for me My life is worth the living, I don't need to see the end." John Denver

07-08-2005, 07:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
eddie z. No expectations! Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,545	Run it by your doc or pharmacist first, but you may even want to start at a quarter of a tablet. Yes, it can cause weight gain in some people and lethargy in some, too, but if you "start low and go slow" you generally have less problem with side effects. Love and hugs, Eddie

07-09-2005, 12:01 AM	#9 (permalink)
dmajor7th Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 92	I've been on it for years, but only 10 mgs for sleep. It can cause weight gain-but as most of the people here replied-it didn't for them, so you never know. It makes me feel a little , uh, dizzy, if I take two of them. But I feel dizzy half the time anyway. Yeah, the only thing I noticed when I went off it, was a return of depression after about three days and it only lasted for a few days-but no horrible physical things. But I'm on a low dose. I hear some people are on 100mgs or more a day. You'd most likely have to taper then. It should help you sleep well. If you don't like it, you could look into trazadone. Good luck!
	__________________ If you're going through hell, keep going.

07-09-2005, 12:08 AM	#10 (permalink)
Josie Grace Under Fire Join Date: May 2002 Location: Another world Posts: 540	This is a old med...I am surprised there are so many on this one. I was taking 25mg. and stopped because I felt no relief...still crying jags and depression. Maybe I should up it to 50 since it's working for everyone else. And it is the only A.D. that I had no side effects.
	__________________ Josie

07-09-2005, 01:41 AM	#11 (permalink)
angelgirl You're never alone!! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,196	Thanks so much all.... I heard that people take 100 mgs. I also read for someone who is hospitalized? they can dose them up to 200mgs. I read that on the website for the med.. I think this may work well for me, especially since Anna had a really bad effect of Effexor, and so did I, and it is working well for her, and so many others. Wow, thanks, this ws an uplift tonight... Maybe I will Quarter it, and try that first. Thanks Eddie.. Love ya ALL< THANKS BECKY
	__________________ ™ Don't tell God how BIG your addiction is, tell your addiction, how BIG our GOD is!! Jesus is our teacher and he is our Savior, who takes our prayers and makes them his own.

07-09-2005, 08:36 AM	#12 (permalink)
eddie z. No expectations! Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,545	You're welcome, Becky!! Yeah, the doses used for antidepressant effects are much higher than the doses most of these folks are talking about. But again, if you start at a low dose and work your way up slowly, you can minimize side effects. Best wishes always!! Love and hugs, Eddie

07-10-2005, 04:41 PM	#13 (permalink)
still_me Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: US Posts: 76	HI I take amitriptyline. I have been on it for 10 yrs now. I take 100mg at night. I have no ill side effects from it. I also can NOT take any of the ssri's. I have been on so many I don't even want to name them. They send me off the walls doing things i normally wouldn't do and I get aggresive and destructive. Anyway the only med. for depression other than the amitriptyline I can take is lithium. Keeps me level and less depressed although right now i am having a rough patch. The amitriptyline really does work, for me anyway. I do remember in the beginning that it made me VERY tired but I got use to it.

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