Amitriptyline

I was diagnosed with hip OA years ago but I've never had any pain. But around a year ago I tweaked a muscle doing deadlifts and after a couple of 'retweaks' I ended up in incontrollable sciatic type pain. I couldn't sleep, I was on on cocodimol, diazipam (muscle relaxant), tramadol, diclofenec - all at the highest dose and it wasn't touching the pain.

Finally I got onto amitriptyline and that eventually got the pain under control. I stopped taking all the pain relief and after about 6 months I stopped taking the amitriptyline and now I'm pain free and back to my active lifestyle. There was also a psychological element to the pain with me (the pain was very real, but I'd got into that 'chronic pain sufferer' cycle where the nervous system over-reacts to pain singals - if that's a possiblity let me know and I'll tell you how I solved that one!).

I was lucky - aside from feeling drowsy for the first few days and a bit of a dry mouth at night I had zero side-effects. Most drugs **CAN** have side-effects, but with this on I think most that you do get wear off. You build up the dose gradually to let your body adapt. I built up to 50mg and took that for a few months.

Have a google search for the terms "amitriptyline pain concern" that will bring up an article on the Pain Concern website that should put your mind at rest.

I dont take this one....was offered it but it clashed with another drug I was taking but I know a lot of people that do take it.

The only problem I've come across from talking to them is a dry mouth and sometimes drowsieness when its given as a muscle relaxant. They find they have to take it about 7pm for them not to feel really drowsy in the mornings. They have tried different times but definitely not last thing LOL

Love

Eileen

Hi,

I was taking it until I was getting migraines that would not go away. It helped me with the pain. Anti depressants are often prescribed for pain as mood sets the tone for cortisol release a hormone which causes pain. The receptors in the brain pick up anti depressant meds and controls cortisol release in the brain the pain causing hormone. 

A merry go round if u will effect go on without antidepressants. Pain causes depression, depression & pain cause the hormone cortisol release...and round we go. 

Antidepressants do help stop the pattern in the brain and there r many types on the market. Try not to put to much weight on the side effects give it a try. It could help give u better pain relief. 

GOOD LUCK 

There are different doses of that med.....as there are all others  sorry that sounded stupid

Its just that the smallest dose ios a muscle relaxant and it has to be a higher dose to work as an anti depressant.

Love

Eileen

I have been on amitriptyline for a few months now, to help with pain and sleeplessness. Have gradually worked my way up to 40mg, doctor said I can go up to 75gm. I find it helps with the sleep, in fact I have to take it at 6pm otherwise I could sleep for most of the next day! It does releive some of the pain, but not all. It does not stop me from sleeping, gradually builds up during the day, if I have been quite active, in which case I take ibuprofen. I have not had any suicidal feelings. Hope this helps.

Take care Anne

Hope this he