Posted , 5 users are following.
Hi....do any of you take venlafaxine and amitriptyline? I currently take Lyrica with little effect despite trying varying doses.I am considering discussing adding in Amitriptyline instead of Lyrica with my GP but would welcome any views from you here too.Many thanks and best wishes.
0 likes, 14 replies
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Kikirae bazwaz
Posted
I took amitriptyline for 2 weeks. It helped me get rest but made me to tried throughout the day. I was having migraines day and I was able to get some relief. It is used for migraines, fibro and depression. I was referred to University of Michigan and the neurologist order nortriptyline which is in the same family as amitriptyline. I started this one just last. So far I haven't had any side effects. I am still sleepy today because I only slept 5 hours. I am taking baclofen and gabapentin. I am still experiencing high levels of pain. gabapentin is helpful with some tingling but not all. I'm taking on 300mg 3x/day. Everybody respond differently to meds. Hope you find the right combination for pain relief. I'm still trying after 2 yrs of ineffective meds.
bazwaz Kikirae
Posted
mandy72855 bazwaz
Posted
Hi bazwaz, I've been taking amitriptyline for about 2 years now, I find this helps more with my sleeping issues as opposed to nerve pain, I'm now taking 100mg. I was on fluoxetine for about 1& half years but was struggling with anxiety attacks so mental health nurse changed me to venlafaxine. I'm still having the attacks but not quite so often. I would recommend trying them as our condition is a difficult one to treat and what suits some doesn't always suit others. Hope this helps you 😀x
bazwaz mandy72855
Posted
Thank you so much....you're right...it is difficult to treat and difficult to get medics to take us seriously! I cannot come off the venlafaxine, like you, for anxiety issues, but it's good to know that you've not suffered any adverse effects from combining the venlafaxine with the amitriptyline. Shall book in with my GP, much appreciated.
jeanne81532 bazwaz
Posted
bazwaz jeanne81532
Posted
That's great, many thanks...hopefully my GP will allow me to try them...he's a tough nut to crack where medication is concerned...starts stating statistics at me which drives me mad! I'm an ex Nursing Sister...I don't need that info!! many thanks.
jeanne81532 bazwaz
Posted
Haha! I'm an ex-nurse too, but luckily have a very good GP. Good luck xx
bazwaz jeanne81532
Posted
bronwyn97278 bazwaz
Posted
Hi Bazwaz; I actually feel that taking Venlafaxine is NOT someting that should be taken lightly. this medication should only be used under the guidance of a Psychiatrist, and only, then, for Extreme cases of Anxiety/Depression.
?I, too, take Amitriptylline (2omgms daily), and do find this with my Gabapentin and valium keeps me going.
?There are other meds that would suit your use with Amitriptylline for the relief that we all get from "some" depression that goes along with our Fibro : eg Prozac.
?Even taking other anti-depressants such as Zoloft, can cause major side effects, when taken with Amitriptylline, as this medication also contains anti-depressants (it was majorly used for this alone back in the 60's and 70's).
?I agree that Lyrica did nothing for me, either, and would go off this medication. However, please find another medication to go with your amitriptylline. (eg Prozac).
?Try researching on the net, (eg Webnet for Medications and their interractions), before taking anyting. this is what I do, to ensure that what I take is ok, and to find Side Effects and Interactions. Let us know what you come up with. Bron
bazwaz bronwyn97278
Posted
Hi Bron....I was prescribed the venlafaxine by a Psychiatrist in 2011 before my fibro started, I had a massive breakdown & suicide attempt, but now I've recovered from that my GP keeps me on it for fear of symptomatic rebound. I will discuss other medication with my GP plus I'm considering seeing a fibro specialist in Harley St London, as an ex Nursing Sister I realise we have to be careful with medication interactions but just wondered if anyone does actually get on ok with venlafaxine and the Amit.
Best wishes and thank you.
bronwyn97278 bazwaz
Posted
Seems like there are now a few of us nurses on the forum now which is good. (wondering if our careers have a contributing factor???)
?I am sorry to hear re your very difficult time in 2011; and hence would know how your body reacts with Venlafxine. If you're still taking them (which I think your GP is doing for a very good reason), then this changes what I said before (so am sorry). All you can do then is trial the Amitryptilline, (perhaps starting with a low dose of 10mgms), and increasing when/if you need more, Hey? I find I need the 20mgms when the "burning pain" attacks my legs and back muscles (especially here in the Summer with the extreme heat). If you find this is not enough pain relief, then maybe try adding Gabapentin (I take 400 mgms most days, and up it to twice a day if needed), which is another Nerve Blocker.
?Some people get benefit, others don't, so it will also be a trial and error for you, as with all of us ???
?Do let us know how you get on with your Fibro Specialist, (wish we had a Fibro Specialist.....all we are advised here is to see a Rhuematologist); as it is always good to learn how others cope, and what new meds/therapies work: especially as we get worse (and this I have definately found to be true, as well).............good luck, and take care. Bron
jeanne81532 bronwyn97278
Posted
Hi Bron, I think our careers ARE a contributing factor. I have read that people who get fibro are often those who previously have been nurses or carers or other busy 'doers'. I attended a pain management course last year, and 3 of us with fibro were ex nurses. Gentle hugs xx
mandy72855 jeanne81532
Posted
Hi Jeanne,
Yep, like I said on a previous post, my CFS/ME nurse said in all cases she's known we have all been doers.
I suppose that makes it doubly hard for us aswell. I was assaulted by one of my paitents a couple years previous to diagnosis and suffered problems with neck after it was hyper extended by her. Problems just went from bad to worse then. Got diagnosed 2 years later, after thinking I was going mad or imagined ally pain.
bazwaz jeanne81532
Posted