Amitriptyline

[sharpey92]

While I am being re-refered my doctor has put me on something called Amitriptyline which was first made as an anti-depressant, but they now use it for pain.

Never heard of it myself but my mother has had it before and they gave it to her to use as a sedative.

So far as to say so far doesnt seem to be doing anything so far with pain still coming random as ever but willing to give it a chance just to help stop the pain coming.

Has anyone else ever heard of an anti-depressant being used as a pain reliever?

[tammylayne]

My husband has severe nerve pain in his groin and down his legs, and amitriptyline has saved him from intolerable pain. It works in about 50% of cases, and if it does...it is important to STAY on it...if you go off and restart it, it might not be as successful. It is also accumulative,,,so give it some time. If it makes you sleepy, you might have to play with when you take it...I know my husband did.

Good luck!!!!

[sharpey92]

Thank you for your reply!!

My doc is giving it 2weeks till i next see her to see if they have any effect.

I will keep popping them back, hope they do work, had a bad bout of pain this afternoon.

[tif2112]

I have taken this for several years for muscle tension headaches. Works very well and keeps my headaches under control.

[nicola smith]

First, my oncologist prescribed gabapentin for my ongoing neuropathy especially from the knees to toe-tips. It did nothing but cause weight gain . Then I found a cancer pain clinic that prescribed nortriptyline @50mg a day as the next option. They said if that didn't work, there was a whole range of other options to try including methodone.

Although it took a couple of weeks to kick in, the nortriptyline has worked very well . I still know I have neuropathy but I am not experiencing it as burning or tingling, just a bit of crunchiness that is easy to ignore. Early side effects of the drug were a slight muzziness in thinking and dry mouth. These sensations went away after a few weeks.

I was VERY surprised to learn that the drug was initially developed as an anti-psychotic .

[CRguy]

I was VERY surprised to learn that the drug was initially developed as an anti-psychotic .

and another fun fact ... amitriptyline was also used as a mellowing out prozac for kitties for cats with behavioural problems.

Just a note : all these drugs basically should not be stopped cold turkey ... they are usually weaned On and OFF to avoid some potentially nasty side effects... but check with your docs about specifics.

Cheers All
CRguy

[Cathie]

I have a home for the mentally ill and some of them take amitriptyline. I also take it for restless leg syndrome.

Cathie

[gtownguy]

My oncologist prescribed 50 mg of Amitriptyline daily along with Neurontin for my neuropathy.

[abuttigi]

Amytriptyline is what is known as a "tricyclic antidepressant." These drugs act on a lot of different receptors, which is why they can be used for many things other than depression and psychosis. Don't let that scare you! What I will say is don't stop the medicine or even change the dose without speaking with your doctor. Since it works I'm many receptors, there could be side effects if you do!

Side note, I'm a medical student, so I don't want to give any medical advice, just clarification. If you've questions about the drug and how it's used, don't hesitate to ask your doc!

Angie

[sharpey92]

Wow, quite literally overwelmed by all of your responses, thank you so much it is very much apprieciated

[nicola smith]

I was VERY surprised to learn that the drug was initially developed as an anti-psychotic .

and another fun fact ... amitriptyline was also used as a mellowing out prozac for kitties for cats with behavioural problems.



Cheers All
CRguy

Meow

[kellywin]

I took Amitriptyline for a couple of years when I was having really bad migraines all the time. It seemed to work. The only side effect I had was one they list, vivid dreams. Yes, it was pretty strange, the dreams would seem pretty real. I'd be talking to someone and have a thought back to a dream and think to myself, "did that really happen or was it a fream". Maybe like deja vu? Anyway, it seemed to work at the time.