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Amitriptyline

Posted , 5 users are following.

thomas96833
thomas96833

Hello,

So I have suffered with anxiety and depression for around a year now bought on over a high stress event combined with sinus problems (ongoing).

I have tried numerous anxiety medication over the last two years from Mirtazapine, Sertraline and Fluoxetine to Propranolol, Buspar and Diazepan. I can't get on with any of the medication due to the barrage of side effects and none of which helped my anxiety and just add to the initial problem!

My sleep quality is so poor as I am awake with racing thoughts everynight and suffer insomnia constantly, or I could sleep but wake up exhausted. I also suffer with tension headaches daily.

Mirtazapine helped with sleep but I was like a sedated zombie, I was sleeping 14 hours and still fighting tiredness all day. It was no life.

Amitriptyline has helped dramatically in such a short time. My tension has reduced and for the first time in years, I get a good sleep and wake up refreshed albeit groggy for the first hour. My mood picks up because I can finally sleep. I genuinely go to bed, and wake up on my alarm. No sleep issue at all.

I only take 10mg and genuinely get no side effects over than a dry mouth initially.

The thing is, my GP says it's not safe for long term use and will only give it to me for 2 weeks. She isn't happy to prescribe it again.

I am only 26, otherwise fit.

My question is, if this so far is the only medication that has helped, and it's such a low dose. What danger am I in taking it?

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • dee88278
    dee88278 thomas96833

    Posted

    You are correct - 10 mg is a very low dose.  I have been on 25 mg for over 20 years.  Was put on it for severe anxiety - started it at the same time I was put on hormones, and the symptoms improved quickly.  Never was sure which one resulted in the improvement, but eventually went off the hormones because of concerns over side effects but stayed on the amit.  I am currently 73 yrs. old, and read an article that this may cause dementia in older adults, so am  working on coming off of it.  Side effects of wthdrawal have occurred - and I really am not sure if I will make it completely off or not.  I am going to go down very slowly as far as I can but if I have debilitating side effects, I will consider staying on a lower dose (10mg).  All that being said, at your age, I am very surprised your doctor considers it such a short term med. especially at that strength. Most people stay on it at least 6 months.  Would consider another opinion that would give you at least enough time to get back on track before stopping it.  Do stop slowly if you decide to go off.  
  • kimberly47
    kimberly47 thomas96833

    Posted

    I have stopped taking it because don't need it no more but I was on 50 mg a day and for a year to help me sleep. My GP never told me it was not good. My primary told me it won't hurt me and that it is a good med. Everyone has different side effects. I have not had any since stopping. Guess every doctor is different with their opinions on it? 

  • Ose
    Ose thomas96833

    Posted

    You may need to get a new dr.. Amitriptlyne is considered a very safe antidepresent. I have been on 75 mg for over 25 years. There is no problem with long term use. Just call your pharmacist. Such a low dose is great if it works. I take it for pain and the sleeping affect . I can not take any pain meds so it is my only answer. Do not ever go on Cymbalta, it will literally kill you because of its side effects and withdrawl effects. Amit. Is a very old tried and true tri-cyclic type antidepressent. I have never heard anyone I all my years say it is short term. Some doctors want to prescribe the new SSRI or SDRI  types that get them a money kickback. After you take 10 mg for a while and you get used to it it's sleepy effect may need to go up, but that is not a problem. Do some research. I can not understand a dr. saying that it is a short term med.. 

    I metabolize meds differently than most and have had a genetic study . If you are taking other meds in conflict with it check the drug interaction websites. 

    I hope you can get this med. prescribed by a knowledgeable doctor. 

     

  • Ose
    Ose thomas96833

    Posted

    I did not see all the very new and possibly  problem antidepressants your dr. Has put you on, but won't give you Amit.. Those other antidepressents are ones that can cause more negative effects in many people. The anti anxiety ones can be addictive and abused. I have never heard of anyone taking Amit.for fun. A pharmacist can give you all the straight truth.

    new and possibly problem pills.

  • brenda20365
    brenda20365 thomas96833

    Posted

    weird if you read this site people have been on it for years.! i would ask your doc why they are taking you off it so early could be because the longer you are on it the harder the side effects are to come off it? but i would be having that discussions with my doc...and dont just stop taking it......tell them you want to wean off it reallllllllllly slowly or you will have side effects...be adamant....some docs have no idea what the side effects of trying to cold turnkey this are like...be informed when you go in
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