Been taking Amitriptyline for 2 weeks, side effects

Was the 'bulging disc' diagnosed on MRI? If not ask your GP for a scan.

Strange how meds act differently on different people. I too started on 10mg for daily headache. Increased after 4 weeks to 20mg. Does not make me feel sleepy at all. In fact I was more wakeful. Stopped me from waking in the morning with pain but headache still develops over the morning. I got concerned on 20 mg cos my distant vision was blurred so stopped them and the vision recovered after 1 week.

has anyone else had blurred vision? 

i have read that side effects gradually get less if you persist with taking them. Depression that some have described is odd isn't it as this is an antidepressant!

 

Thought I'd do a little update.  It's now 3 weeks since I started taking the Amitriptyline tabs and I think the side effects have definitely subsided.  I don't feel muddy headed, or getting the headaches etc. anymore and I seem to be feeling much more positive.  Not sure the tabs have helped the pain yet but speaking to a friend a few days ago, she said she is on the same tabs for rheumatic pain and it takes around 3 months for the tabs to really start working, so I will stick with them and hope for the best.  Now got a follow up appointment at the Pain Clinic but that's not until 30 March, so not good.  I will give a week or so and see if I can get an earlier appointment.  Sometimes people cancel don't they.  

Just wanted to do an update as I've now been on the tabs for almost 2 months.  I don't know how much the tabs have helped the pain but I have continued to take 10 mg daily in the early evening.  I have not upped the dosage to 20 mg in the hope it helps a bit more.

A few weeks ago I had an appointment via my physiotherapist who wondered if the pain was more due to my hip than my back and suggested a steroid jab in the hip but when I saw his physio colleague he confirmed that it was my back and not my hip, so no need for a jab.  He has advised that I go the Guy's Hospital spinal unit and an appointment is being arranged.

I told the physio that I try and exercise as much as possible and he confirmed that this was good.  It can't do any further damage and will help to keep flexible.  At the moment my mood is a lot better that it has been which may be helping the situation.

A major update as of yesterday.  Yesterday I had an appointment at Guys Hospital in London where I saw an orthopaedic surgeon.  On the computer screen e brought up the results of the MRI I had last July and explained that what I had was a Lumbar Decompression.  He is now recommending spinal surgery.  This to me is terrifying and to be honest I don't know what to do.  I am going to speak to my GP as well as the doctor at the Pain Clinic where I have an appointment already booked for next week.  Has anyone else had this procedure, did it help with the pain, was your mobility helped or worsened by this procedure.  I have posted this somewhere else on the forums as well in the hope that someone can help.  Still on the painkillers, including the Amitriptyline which I have upped to 20 mg each night.  Not sure it's making a lot of difference to the pain to be honest but up to yesterday my mood was a lot better.  Since yesterday though, because I am scared of what the surgery entails, I have been very weepy indeed.  Thanks for listening. 

Hi Joyce, do you mean spinal stimulation surgery or.....

I dont know if this helps,I had spinal stim surgery last year,2 wires one for each leg for nerve pain in my spine and connected to a 9 year battery (with memory)in my arse cheek (hence the name duracelldave), it was so simple and no problem,but mine was not as serious as yours, I personally would do literally anything after have 17 years of pain for just a maybe as i cant sit ,walk , stand for long, i know it must be a hard choice , have you put the surgery name in youtube as I found mine there good and bad,There also must be people on here,but what ever you decide I hope your pain is less in the future, let us know how you get on,I have to go as I have to recharge my arse wirelessy how cool is that (technology),have a nice day.

Hi Ronnie here, I have just had a read of your post and it's sounds like I am in the exact same boat as you. Last year I had sciatica for 1 year and spent about £350 on chiropractors and sport massages but nothing worked . Had accupunture the lot aswell. Finally saw the specialist and had MRI scan to which they told me that Iv got sciatica which is like a slipped disc with the nerve rubbing on my spine. He told me to take amytripyline and work up to 3-4 tablets and he was certain it would go. I wasn't very convinced but within 6weeks it was gone , couldn't believe it. Only thing is another year later and it's back again with vengeance and I'm now back on the amitriptyline. Iv started on 2 tablets but have been like a tired zombie all day which I can not remember happening last time. Even had a fuzzy light head. Have you had this problem or anyone else . Wish this would go away tbh as it's getting me down aswell. Hope yours is sorted soon cheers