Posted , 100 users are following.
Hi all, i have tried unsuccessfully to withdrawal from amitriptyline twice. every time i get down to 5mg i start with awful symptoms, bad headaches, nausea, belching, abdominal cramps, back ache and my bowels get so upset they feel like they are swollen i get bloated have wind and abdomen feels bruised. has anyone experienced this also?
9 likes, 915 replies
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rob75633 amanda59745
Posted
feel your pain!!
cant believe the struggle i am having off such a short term small dose
nancy72466 amanda59745
Posted
Hi Amanda. just wondering if you ever dealt with increased acid reflux during your withdrawal. I'm down to 3.5 mg of Ami but the reflux has really increased...along with other withdrawal effects. And if you did have it, what did you take to help relieve symptoms. Thanks in advance.
amanda59745 nancy72466
Posted
Hi Nancy yes, Amitriptyline is an anticholinergic medication which, amongst other things dries up all mucus membranes in the body. The whole intestines, stomach, oesophagus and mouth, in fact most places in the body become drier when using amitriptyline. When we stop it or reduce it these areas become more moist again / return to normal.
However, as women age we can develop more acid reflux due to decreasing hormones and general wear and tear so it is not a side effect of amitriptyline withdrawal but, the drug was helping. Although, if like me when i came off the drug previously i became very anxious and this can contribute to more acid. Hope this helps xxx
shawn0202 amanda59745
Posted
hi all ,
its been 6 weeks since stopping amitripline 10 mg for 1.5 months tuk it for headaches
i have so many floaters and grainy vision in low light and then low level tinnitus( 2 weeks post stoping the drug ) in the morning and night .
will it go away ! m so scared .
it feels like infinity
shawn0202 amanda59745
Posted
anybody had tinnitus coming off amitriptyline ?
nancy72466 shawn0202
Posted
Yes Shawn. I have it now....BIG time. It makes me very dizzy also. I am titrating down my dosage and the tinnitus comes and goes. Hope yours has resolved.
armandolev05033 amanda59745
Posted
I started having 8h after 6 months, but not regularly. Today, I sleep even during the day, so you will heal. That must be hectic to manage all these along side with a baby. All the best I hope u get well soon.xxx
mary75226 armandolev05033
Posted
thank you! glad you are feeling well now too!
nancy72466 amanda59745
Posted
Does this EVER get better? EVER? I can't seem to move past 1.5 mg. EXTREME vertigo, tinnitus, anxiety, acid reflux, fullness in ears, hearing loss, insomnia. extreme itchiness, etc. I have taken over 1 year to reduce from 15 mgs to 1.5 mgs. I feel SO terrible and have no quality of life. Do I go back up to 2.0 mg or stay and stick it out? I don't see any end in this terrible tunnel. Also, my doctor wants me to start some 5-htp. Has anyone had any luck with that? (how much/taken how often?). Thanks for nay help.
armandolev05033 nancy72466
Posted
I stopped 10mg cold Turkey after 3months being on it. I stopped on the 16March 2017. I nearly die but I hold it on. Only after 1 year 6 months all symptoms disappeared and I am back to life now. You will get there, stick on it. All the best... I feel for you about the quality of life. 5-htp can help it is not addictive but I didn't take it... fish oil, magnesium helped me a lot.
nancy72466 amanda59745
Posted
Has anyone used 5-HTP to help with the anxiety, insomnia, and the related ills while withdrawing? While I know we are all different, could you state how much you take and what time of day you take it. Thanks in advance. My anxiety is so bad and I'm not sleeping at all.
sab45 amanda59745
Posted
hi, did anyone experience heart palpitations when coming off of amitryptiline?
is that a withdrawal symptom?
Tom1996 amanda59745
Posted
Hi everyone. I have been put on ami for chronic headaches, depression. I have bad anxiety, mood swings, potential adhd, chronic fatigue, muscle aches in general. Ive had to come off ami because it was making me suicidal. i was on 10mg. A dco said i can cone off right away. The doctor who prescribed it me said it wasnt the cause of my suicidal thoughts!
Im currently off them and have been for 3 weeks now but i have no appetite, on and off depression, some suicidal thoughts, headaches, my mood is like a rollercoaster, anxiety is up and down. What are peoples suggestions? AM I EVEN WITHDRAWING? SHOULD I JUST FIGUT THROUGH IT OR TAKE 5mg?
patient_mod2 Tom1996
Posted
Hi Tom1996
We note from a recent post which you have made to our forum that you may be experiencing thoughts around self-harm. If we have misinterpreted your comments then we apologies for contacting you directly. But if you are having such thoughts then please note that you are not alone in this, and there are people out there that can help.
If you are having these suicidal thoughts then we strongly recommend you speak to someone who may be able to help. The Samaritans offer a safe space where you can talk openly about what you are going through. They can help you explore your options, understand your problems better, or just be there to listen.
Their contact details are on our patient information leaflet here: https://patient.info/health/dealing-with-suicidal-thoughts, which also offers lots of other advice on how you can access the help you may need.
If you are having such thoughts then please do reach out to the team at the Samaritans (or the other people detailed in our leaflet) who will understand what you're going through and will be able to help.
Kindest regards
Patient
Tom1996 patient_mod2
Posted
I am but on and off. Got the samaritans on my phone if i need them. Im pretty strong when it comes to holding on but i think I might contact them to see how they can help. Thanks
Tiffany188887 Tom1996
Posted
hello Tom1996
I am sorry you are feeling so horrible. Doctors seem to think you can just stop this drug with no issues. They have no clue how horrid this drug can be for some people. It sounds like you are experiencing withdrawals...which are horrible I know! Have you checked out a site called surviving antidepressants? it is amazing and has a ton of info
Unfortunately there is no magic pill to cure the withdrawals..just time. But you will get there😊
Hope you feel better soon!
larry21907 Tom1996
Posted
tom, I have a lot of your symptoms from ami. wondering how your doing now and how long withdrawals lasted?