fibromyalgia and amitriptyline

Hi gemma first of all it is so nice you are supportive of your partner - in my case I couldn't take amitriptyline it gave me headaches and I was very euphoric. My GP said that having Fibro can make you sensitive to drugs so it is very much try it and see until you get the right drug or doseage.

What doseage is he on and who prescribed it to him?

sue x 

Hi Gemma,

Sorry to hear your partner is in so much pain. I have only one experience of amitriptyline and it wasn't a positive one for me either although I know it can be a very good medication in people who don't suffer so many side effects. As with all new medications, symptoms do get worse for the first couple of weeks before you begin to see any benefit, it can sometimes take up to 6 weeks to get the full beneficial effect. I think, knowing the pain that fibro brings, the doctor could certainly provide pain killers to be taken in addition to the amitriptyline which may help your partner to get past the awful side effects stage of the amitriptyline, they should certainly help with the pain any way.

Hiya Gemma, well done you for being sooo supportive and caring...it's soooo important....I have Fibro, was diagnosed 22 years ago but I know I had it for  years before, it's just that it's sooo very hard to diagnose... I take Amatriptilyne  25 mg. One tablet before bed.. Works really well for me...after trying other meds for years, I've been on this med for 16years now and it has never been increased, it apparently is an old antidepressant med...they found out that it numbs the pain at the nerve end and stops it from travelling/jumping to the next nerve...which is what we suffer from..if it's taken in the day you can feel pretty numb- depending on the dosage I suppose...,anyway it gives me a great nights sleep.  Which is vital for Fibro..having no stress in your life is the key, but that's very hard, if you've just been diagnosed...because there are sooooo many different Symtoms that different people have, a med that works well for one may not work for another..  Some people can't take Amithriptilyne as you read, if he can handle it,  its really worth being on it for longer until it gets in your system, and see how you go...

it just knocked me out at first, so I wouldn't have felt pain anyway, however I was prescribed it twice a day and a higher dies..it took a while of trial and error, but eventually...viola..it really works well for me...:-) xxx.  Be blessed, keep on blogging, it's very helpful and encouraging..

i would just  stop taking them doctors throw stuff at this condition they dont understand it and they just dont no how to deal with it .some people get relife from this drug and some dont .and your partner dosent ,

iv had fibro for 10yrs i have controlled symptoms with accuputure ,magneisum bath flakes and oil rub on. 

.some people find a supplement combination of [magneisum, vitd3, and calciun helps in a big way ]  i also take colidaul gold supplement ,

good luck .

Hi Gemma, amitriptyline worked great for my pain, but knocked me out completely, I wasn't conscious until lunchtime so had to rule it out. Its trial and error with what works for who with fibro, it seems different for everyone, but there are plenty of drugs to go at, i tried 3 inc amitriptyline before i found citalopram which works well for me, if somethings not working, knock it on the head and try something else ( but give each drug a couple of weeks before writing them off) Good Luck Carolx

Hello Gemma, It Is a worry for partners my husband doesnt handle it to well seeing me struggle. I am taking Duloxotine in the morning and found the pain didnt ease up so I was then prescribed amitiptyline to take at night , sort of started to ease at night , but today I am in alot of pain and woke with a migraine. Its hard to get the right medication to ease it. I have only been taking amitriptyline for just under two weeks so I am hopeful that with time it will start to help. If not I will be back at the doctors. In the past I have had various things I was on Gabapentin which was fantastic for a while but then stopped helping. I have tried massage, indian head, yoga even offered to pay my daughter just to sit and rub my back she did it bless her for free. I think you just have to try and see the same doctor and keep communicating , dont be afraid to voice what you feel. hope he starts to get some relief sounds like he is suffering.

Hi Gemma    I too am new to Fibro and recently diganosed but have already had to increase my Amitriptylene from 10mg once before bed to 25mg and it does help a lot more  I am managing to get more full nights sleep though still not good first thing of a morning  I suppose its just a case of trial and error  Good luck and its lovely to see you supporting your partner  He is really lucky to have you