Amitriptyline thread

[sarahh]

Hi Hannah thanks for that.

Sarah x

[nonyanomemory]

There are alternatives if they affect your heart rate at all but I had to stop taking them as they caused mega palpitations, this may just be me though.

nonya

[greige]

i am just starting on this drug. how do you know if u are already plateau a dosage?
my gp told me to try it on the lowest dosage for 2 weeks, then i am allowed to double it. so far I am fine the dosage, almost no pain and still able to function with out grogginess. dont think i want to increase it just now. I have to see him next monday about it.
one thing tho, I miss drinking (i am actually not a drinker, but every now and then I have the urge). does any of you drink with it?

pain free hugs;)

[sanguine_emma]

Hi greige

I was on the lowest dose for ages before I noticed it having less effect. Stick with the dose you are on, and if it stops working, that's the time to talk to your GP about increasing it.

I wouldn't worry overly about having the odd drink or two, unless you find it makes you excessively groggy or you have other undesirable effects. I have to admit, I treat this particular recommendation as flexible (or at least I did before I got pregnant. roll on the day I can enjoy a couple of glasses of wine again!)

Emma

[sarahh]

Hi Nonya thanks for that I think I am gonna have to do the same.

Hi Greige I tried the lowest dose for a month and then I saw my gp cause the effectiveness of it had stopped and I was told that i could up the dose. I would definatly discuss the options with your gp.

Sarah

[greige]

hey emma,
i tried 2 sips of wine before taking my med tonight.. and am fine... so next time, maybe a little more

sarahh,
i think i am sticking to this dosage, but am going to see him anyway... I've been having several side effects, but it's different thing everyday. palpitation for two days, vertigo for one day, etc. so just want to make sure.

[sarahh]

Hi All I've come off the Amitriptyline cause the palpatations got too much and dizzy when I was standing but Amitriptyline is good and did help.

Sarah x

[sallyinlancs]

I have just been put on Amitriptylene, Codeine and Paracetemol. (I was taking Tramadol but was really suffering with sleep deprivation.) I was a bit dubious about this as I have had Codeine before with less than brilliant pain relief but MUCH drowsiness/falling asleep etc.

The idea is that the combination of Amitriptylene and Codeine will give me a good night's sleep (sounds like heaven to me) and so I won't be too affected by the Codeine during the day. I have been started off on the lowest dose and been told I can increase this as necessary until I reach the level that will give me the sleep I need.

It says in the PIL 'The sedative effect is usually rapid while anti-depressant effect may be seen within 3/4 days or may take up to 30 days to develop adequately'. How long do I have to leave it before I ask to have the dosage increased? Because so far I have noticed no effect whatever from the Amitriptylene and so the Codeine has affected me really badly all day.

I can't go on for more than a couple of days or so like this but am reluctant to go back to my pharmacist only to be told I haven't given it a real chance.

[Rosie]

Hi Sally

If you read this thread a little earlier on, a couple of people discuss how they decided this. I am sure your pharmacist would be happy to discuss it with you as well, so that you need to know how long to try one dosage before changing it.



Rosie

[Sandy L]

We often start out with very low doses (which are unnamable under the rules) until we see how the patient gets along. Check with your doctor about increasing.

[Retro]

I saw a different GP today and spoke to him about my sleep problems. He tutted when I told him about what had happened after my last appoinment and increased my dose

Lindsey

[greige]

does any of you experience changing in the menstrual blood flow while on amitriptyline? Cause I am not sure if I had my period, I had spotting for a week (about a week earlier than normal), never had it before tho. I know it elevates the prolactin, so does it mean I wasnt ovulating?

i am confused

[sanguine_emma]

I asked specifically about prolactin because I was trying to get pregnant. My doc said that amitrip on low doses (i.e. the sort of doses we pain patients tend to be prescribed) really shouldn't interefere with prolactin or ovulation.

Spotting a little earlier than your period is due... Don't know if this is at all likely in your case, but could it be worth doing a pregnancy test??

Emma x

[greige]

hehehe.. between my last proper period and the spotting, I think we can safely rule out pregnancy

the thing is.. most of the time I experienced all the rare side effects of all of my meds. i read somewhere hair loss & not ovulating are rare in connection with amitriptyline.. so in a way it's nothing new the way my body reacts.. Oh well.. have to talk to that doc of mine.. hopefully he's well by Thursday

[Gill22]

I started taking Amitrptyline 5 weeks ago it helped I think I have been off work for 6 weeks. It was only low dose, but I found it made be very drowsey. I work as a nurse and felt it made be too drowsey for work so I stopped them, now my back is bad again. . . . . any ideas as to which pain killers may help??
I already take ibuprofen and paracetmol continously and have done for 8 weeks now. Someone mentioned Gabapentin?? Anyone had experience of it? x