Posted , 5 users are following.
I've been taking amitriptyline for the past 5 weeks and feel that my resting heart rate has risen quite a bit. Even when i get up in the morning and walk a few steps, my heart rate shoots up above 100. I had an ekg done in january and that was normal. Is amitriptyline causing the elevated heart rate and if so should I stop the medication?
0 likes, 10 replies
We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.
briann_13083 Imaid18
Posted
i had the same reaction. You need to call your doctor and get off that med. That is a bad side effect.
Imaid18 briann_13083
Posted
Thank you for your reply. Are you taking any other meds that ease anxiety?
alex40328 Imaid18
Posted
I was using xanax from a long time and it had so much bad side effects on my health I was totally okay but after using it my stomach got disturbed and now I have issues with my stomach.
alex40328 Imaid18
Posted
So I think we should not use anti depressant and anxiety pills they are not helping us to get rid of our anxiety and depression.
Imaid18 alex40328
Posted
Did you replace xanax with any other med?
Betty97 alex40328
Posted
Hi Alex
I don't take medication for anything if I can avoid it, back in 1981 a doctor told me that all I needed to make me better was a man and some money and near enough blamed it on me being a single parent plus parents who told me that I had made my bed so lie on it, so basically little support, but it did make me stronger in the long run!! I conquered the anxiety over a few years but I still live with anxiety and get lots of symptoms, dizziness, off balance, pressure, tingling and more..... I reckon the symptoms are from a neck problem as well. I am a naturally shy person and so think anxiety goes with the territory. But despite it all I am happily married with four grown up children and like to think that we are all close as a family. If you feel able to deal with anxiety without medication it is better in the long run but that way of thinking isn't for everyone!!
caz19600 Imaid18
Posted
I was on Amitriptyline for well over a year and my HR was constantly high. Resting could be 90 or above, with regular spikes over 130 without exercises. I thought it was just my anxiety until i came off the medication and just like that my HR came down to an average of 70. I'm on citalopram now, much better I've found.
Imaid18 caz19600
Posted
Thank you for your reply. Did it take a while for the heart rate to come back to normal? And also, did you start citalopram right away after stopping amitriptyline?
caz19600 Imaid18
Posted
It took about 3 or 4 weeks i think to ween off Amitriptyline and then switch to Citalopram. From memory my HR normalised a week or so into taking citalopram but it took a couple of months for the side effect symptoms to fully settle.
briann_13083 Imaid18
Posted
It depends how long youve been on the med. If you have been in it for a while they will have to wean you off of it or if it hasnt been to long the doctor could say to just stop it. And it might take a few days to a few weeks after stopping any med for some of the side effect to wear off. Part of it depends on how your body processes meds.