Withdrawal from Amitripline after tapering to 2.5mg
Posted , 9 users are following.
I was put on Ami for debilitating migraines and chronic daily tension headaches. Both my doctor and neurologist seemed happy for me to take this medication. I had poor sleep patterns which over the years seemed to build up. Ami did help it reduced my migraines it helped to restore my sleep patterns. But after reading about the long term affects of taking this drug links too dementia. I always had decided I was only going to take it for a short as time as necessary . ( 9 months in total)
Coming off 20mg has taken months reducing by 2.5 each time I went up and down with the dose when headaches and general feeling of being unwell occurred, itchy skin, feeling sick, headaches, migraines. So finally took the last 2.5 mg 14 days ago, first week mild headache, the second week has been very difficult, severe headache , ringing in my ears, sickness, loss of appetite, chills anxiety attacks to the point taking a breathe has been a challenge. After reading so many threads desperately trying to find out whether this is still withdrawal from this drug even though I reduced the daily amount taken to 2.5mg is the reason I've decided to write this. I'm hoping for someone with similar experiences to give me a light at the end of a tunnel. I don't want to take this drug anymore but also don't want the daily headaches migraines to return. I've also pilled on the pounds, I do exercise regularly. I take daily Bio Magnesuim. Hoping that this will pass.
Any advice welcomed.
0 likes, 19 replies
marta64509 Agnes67
Posted
I was on it for the same reason and although headaches never went away, the med helped my sleep quality which helped me to deal with the pain better. After about a year on it and putting on 10 kgs in weight I decided to come off it from 50 mg dose...
headaches strength doubled, I also got soooo depressed..
no gp would agree with it but it took probably about year and a half for my brain to recover from how amitryptiline affected it.
herbal sleep aid/ melatonin helped me with the sleep patterns that were disturbed after I quit. I'd also recommend keeping an eye on iron/ magnesium intake in the diet- beetroots, spinach, nuts...
Not gonna sugar coat it- all these are not miracle makers and only help a little and you just have to soldier it out.
charline94768 marta64509
Posted
How long did you taper for? I am trying to come off this medication for the fourth time. I am doing it super slow and so far so good. I am down to 13 mgs. from 30 mgs. Started the taper three months ago. You will feel very ill if you went too quick, maybe go back on a small amount for awhile and cut back real slowly.
Agnes67 charline94768
Posted
I tapered from 20mg to 2.5 using a pill splitter I DID IT SUPER SLOW thankfully I didnt get to the 50mg the neurologist suggested. Still having awful symptoms with quitting 2.5 mg. If your not having any symptoms thats brilliant. let me know how you get on Im finding this last bit tough.
Agnes67 marta64509
Posted
yes iron! need too keep a check on that. Thanks for the support. Im going to keep plodding through this. did you taper or just stop? what do you take for your headaches now?
marta64509 Agnes67
Posted
I decreased the dosage gradually for few months, taking few 5 mgs a week at the last stage. And then just stopped cause I wanted it out of my system.
I don't take anything because nothing helps. trying to go for a run few times a week as it has somewhat meditating effect and I smoke a herbal roll on 😉 every now and then to treat myself to a good night sleep and wake up slightly more refreshed than usually... but don't make an every day habit out of it
marta64509 charline94768
Posted
I did for few months and I guess I didn't experience that many of side effects rather than what I mentioned earlier. but once they kicked in,I was quite determined just to have out of my system and did my best to suck it up
susan40017 Agnes67
Posted
You were given the drug to treat migrain/tension headaches. Drugs that are given to treat pain don't cure the underlying cause of the pain. They just relieve the pain. So,if you stop taking the drug, you start to feel the pain. I took it for 2 years many years ago until i had surgery on my spine. When I stopped taking it, I had no problems because the surgery had cured the cause of the pain. 3 years later, I had the same problem with another disc but this time, it gave me a nasty spinal cord injury. I had more surgery but the nerve damage couldn't be fully reversed. When I tried to stop taking the drug, all my nerve problems came back. Pain and pins and needles.I've since been taking it for 12 years. I have no side effects at all. It does the job it's intended to do. When people talk about withdrawal symptoms, the symptoms have nothing to do with withdrawal because the drug is not addictive. It's just a return of the problems that the drug was prescribed for.
I've just read the complete study that identified amitryptiline as a possible link to dementia. It's in the BMJ (British Medical Journal) . The research looked at amitryptiline used as an antidepressant, not when used in low doses for pain and migraine. When prescribed for depression, the doses are around 200mgs. Like me, you're taking only 20mgs. I'd advise you to talk to your GP about it. Whatever drugs we take, we must always balance the risk and effects of taking the drug against the risk and effects of not taking it. Your headaches are obviously debilitating and taking 20mgs of amitryptiline gave you back a normal life, without headaches. You decide.
Agnes67 susan40017
Posted
thankyou for your reply and your thoughts on research you have studied, yes that could well be the case that the underlying condition has just returned and weighing the benefits against the possible side affects are truly something to consider.
Agnes67
Posted
Also i must say that whilst on the drug my migraine and daily headaches definitely did improve. STOPPING taking ami i feel definitely does cause side affects yes I agree it isn't addictive but it stays in your system and whilst taking it it your body gets used to its function. when you stop your body has to get used to functioning without it...... seemingly causing some withdrawal symptoms. The doctors wouldn't recommend a slow tapper if this wasn't the case. When starting ami it took me awhile to build up to being able to take 20mg. So i expected the same when reversing that cycle. Im on day 15 without taking any amitripline ........ headache and nausea calmed a little. Hope this helps someone. Will post progress if anyone interested :0
THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT
mary75226 susan40017
Posted
withdrawal synptoms are very real. many people are given it for migraines/pain but when they come off they have severe insomnia depression/anxiety, and physical ailments that they had never experienced prior to going on amitriptyline. join one of the many antidepressant or amitriptyline support groups and you will see this is true for some. antidepressants many not be addictive but they certainly cause a dependence, which is why its never advised to come off cold turkey. unfortunately even with a slow taper there are many people who still experience withdrawal effects.
Agnes67 mary75226
Posted
just joined a amitripline group on facebook its crazy how many people are experiencing similar things as myself. Just hoping this isn't going to last that much longer.
kylieah Agnes67
Posted
Sorry to hear you are struggling with this medication. I have been on amitriptyline for a few years and have had no issues stopping it. I didn't even taper and I was on 100mg. I had some really bad side effects while taking it though. I hope you are feeling better soon.
Agnes67 kylieah
Posted
Good to hear that actually some people have had this experience. thank you for taking the time too respond.
susan40017 Agnes67
Posted
Most drugs can give side effects to some people and not to others. On the occasions when someone has side effects of taking a drug, the doctor will try something else. It's often about trial and error until you find the right drug. Then, every drug or treatment you have is about managing risk. I hope your headaches settle.
elizabeth39022 Agnes67
Posted
Im surprised my Dr thinks my side effects will go away in a week if i just stay on 35mg for a week as I initially tapered off from 50mg to 12mg in two weeks. So will see what happens in a week. Im surprised to read so many people have long terms effects from tapering off when Drs seem to think its fine