Amitriptyline...use for sleep problems?

Helen

I'm new to this forum but it seems lots of you have sleep problems and being prescribed Amitriptyline.

I've had sleep problems for years, due to back pain, but was prescribed what was then (more than 50 years ago - I am now 93!) a sleep drug called Nitrazepam. Because its a benzodiazepine drug it loses its capacity to help sleep but leaves you dependent on it, in fact needing even more.

I was recently prescribed Amitriptyline but it didn't help. Maybe there was conflict between it and Nitrazepam - I  don't know, in fact it gave me feelings of panic.

Wanting to get off drugs altogether, whether addictive or not, I did a lot of research online. This led me to the body's own sleep aid, it's an amino acid in the brain called serotonin, which regulates sleep, mood, and even appetite.

Some foods can produce tryptophan which gets converted into serotonin, but nearly all of that ends up in the gut.

I came across a plant extract that contains something called 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan). As a supplement it has the ability to get to the brain as serotonin. This boost of serotonin can then help with sleep, mood, anxiety, and many other ailments. You can research it yourself online.

I decided to try it 2 months ago using 200 mgs per night. It comes in 50, 100, 200, and 300 mg sizes so best to start with say 100 mcgs if you try it. You can increase it as needed then.

It immediately gave me better sleep, from 2-3 hours I was getting, increasing to 4, 5, and now between 6-7 hrs, waking refreshed, clear headed, and feeling so much better. I actually feel a lot calmer too, although I wasn't looking for that.

I've posted similar information on this forum, having searched it for serotonin posts but found nothing at all about how it helps regulate the body.

So good is it for me that I found it possible to very slowly taper off my sleeping drug, something I've not been able to do before because of withdrawal symptoms. Now, with good sleep and a VERY slow taper, I have come from 10 mgs of Nitrazepam to 8 mgs without any side effects. I hope to continue, perhaps for another 6 months to completely rid my dependence on the drug.

If you try 5-HTP,  bear in mind although it's natural and not a drug, it may not suit everybody, but from many testimonials I have read about  it, most are positive.

Good luck!

Hi all I've been on amitryptyline for about 15 years. I take 50mg at about 8.15 every night. I'm finding 3 or 4 hours later I'm still wide awake. They make me so tired all the next day. I am going to the doctors this week to see if I can come off them. I know it won't be easy but I don't think there helping me at all.

Hi Helen yes amitriptyline is often prescribed for sleep usually at 10mg. I take tablet at 8 pm and go to bed about 10.30. I go to sleep easily. If I don't take tab for a few nights can't get to sleep at all. Best take during the evening x

Hi Helen.

I take it for neve and muscle pain. I had a dvt and 2 PE and get swelling and leg pain. It's helped me relax especially at night. Just started 20mg feel great so far x

Just don't know about long term side effects since I only dosed for 2 days.

Yes, very nice sleep aid, effects kick in slowly.

Others said it all about side effects. I say it impact stamina negatively badly, when I found out during my exercise the next morning.

So I believe when there's no physical exertion the next day, it is better a sleep aid than diphenhydramine. Advising eating sleep aid with empty stomach, this way tolerance doesn't build up for me.

yes