I am in day 30 since stopping Elavil. I have had about 30 hours of sleep in that time. I am exhausted, depressed and anxious.
Amitriptyline - How long will it take for me to recover natural sleep pattern after quitting Elavil?
Question posted by creneet on 23 Sep 2013
Last updated on 24 November 2019 by Babyyoda
7 Answers
Babyyoda
24 Nov 2019
I was taking amitriptyline for about 14 months for migraines and headaches, first 20 mg for a couple months, then 30mg for a couple months, then back to 20mg for a couple months before tapering off. To wean off, my neurologist had me go down to 10mg for 2 weeks and then just stop. It's been 5 weeks since I've been off of it and now I wish I had a more gradual tapering off process because it felt a little abrupt.
Within the first 2 days of stopping I felt bad anxiety and my nervous system felt really delicate and sensitive, I was even shaking a little for the first couple days but that thankfully passed. The insomnia was horrible for the first 2 weeks- I tried to compensate by drinking wine every night which didn't help much and isn't a healthy coping mechanism.
I have always been a heavy sleeper in the past with little trouble falling asleep prior to taking amitriptyline, so I know that the insomnia is definitely because of that.
After the 2 weeks of bad insomnia, I was able to start getting some nights of deep sleep but it was random, and I'm never tired at night and would end up sleeping all day on my days off. Those days I would get deep, rejuvenating sleep which felt amazing but Id also be asleep for almost 12 hours and find it very difficult to wake up and felt groggy. However, now 5 weeks into not being on it, the insomnia has gotten worse again and last night I got absolutely no sleep and was miserable at work all day. I came home and passed out immediately but only stayed asleep for 3 hours and couldn't go back to bed (so frustrating after being awake 24+hours).
I don't know much about how amitriptyline affects our sleep process but I just feel like my circadian rhythm is super messed up. I am thankful for the nights I sleep a lot but sometimes it's way too much sleep. I was on a relatively low dose too, so I feel for you guys who have been taking higher doses over longer periods and are having trouble sleeping. I'm considering asking for a drug to help me sleep but like many of you, I don't want to have to deal with another withdrawal phase. Seeing I'm not alone with the insomnia is really reassuring though. Hope you all have found some relief and are back to normal sleep.
Rachelvh123
25 Jan 2019
I am 25 in a few months and have been on amitriptyline since I was 18 for insomnia. I had been taking 100mg every night. I tried to come off this drug in 2016 and the withdrawal effects I was experiencing were so severe I thought I had a brain injury. I was dizzy to the point where I couldn’t turn my head without double vision, I had severe migraines, I was vomiting, I couldn’t drive, or work and I had to lay down for 80% of the time because everything was spinning. When I spoke to my doctor about this we actually got into an argument because he told me none of these symptoms could be related to the amitriptyline but this didn’t match all the things I’ve read online from official medical sources. After a week of absolutely no improvement I had no other choice but to go back on the drug, just to see if my symptoms eased by doing so, and to prove my doctor wrong.
After 1 day I felt back to normal and could function properly again. I was so relieved but at the same time so exhausted to be back on the drug I so desperately wanted to come off. It really scared me, I couldn’t handle trying to come off it again until 2018. My doctor (a different one than before) started helping me work out how to wean off them slowly. After many months I am now taking just 5mg at night, however in the UK we can’t get 5mg tablets so I’ve been advised to take 10mg one night and then skip a day. I was fine taking 10mg every night but I’m not coping well with this new change skipping days. I’ve been having nausea, headaches, constant dizziness and double vision again. It’s not as bad as I experienced last time but I’m just terrified of this feeling lasting for a year or more like I’ve read possible. I’d love someone who’s been through this to reassure me it’s going to be OK :’(
Waytreeteresa
26 Jan 2019
Yes I tried to get off amitriptyline I was only on 25 mg , the side effects are as people described , I am back on them only on 35 mg due to insomnia nerve pain and depression , tried other drugs which never worked , as I am 67 years old and have been on these for 5 years I will carry on taking them
Mae5187
26 Jan 2019
Sorry to hear your are going through this. You might receive more support and answers on one of the amitriptyline Facebook groups. They’ve been quite helpful for me as many people on there are withdrawing or have successfully tapered off.
Mae5187
13 March 2019
How are you doing? Can you do a water titration method so that you can taper at smaller decreases?
Waytreeteresa
13 March 2019
Thanks for the reply , but I think I will stay on amitriptyline as I have a lot of issues of my past and the medication is helping me sleep, I have come off my sleeping tablets and feel better since January , I have suffered from insomnia for many years and this is helping me , and talking to my doctor who also takes amitriptyline for sleeping has helped , my mom also suffers from insomnia for the last 45 years
Seelia
3 Feb 2018
I was on amitriptyline (25 mg at night) for four years. I stopped taking it a year ago and did it the right way, weaning slowly from 25 mg to 5 mg.
Still, even though weaning off from it, I started having extreme sleep disorder / insomnia right after stopping it (5 mg to 0 mg). I could "sleep" for 1 hour, then woke up suddenly and then "slept" again for another 1 hour. Some night no sleep at all. I use citation marks when I say sleep, because it felt like I hadn't slept, my sleep was very shallow and fragmentary.
Taking an antihistamine that makes you sleepy helped somewhat (I took an antihistamine called Atarax which is much the same as the product called Sleep Aid in the USA).
Over the months I noticed improvement in my sleep, but it was slow. It was, and still is, two or three steps forward and one step backwards every now and then. At this point I had started to get 4-5 hours of sleep most nights.
After 11 months I finally realised my sleep had become almost normal again! I didn't wake up in the middle of the night anymore most nights and I had started to have dreams again.
Now I sleep already 6-7 hours a night. Before this whole problem with amitriptyline I slept about 8 hours a night, so there still needs to be improvement, but I'm optimistic now – it will happen! I still occasionally have nights with disordered and too little sleep, but not often.
So I took amitriptyline for 4 years and it has taken me for about a year to get to this fairly good situation where I'm now. Be patient.
Rungirl
12 Feb 2018
I was on Amitriptyline 25 mg. for 7 years nightly. Also on clonazepam 25 mg. for 6 years. I was put on for sleep issues... I never wanted to be on any pill, but my doctor assured me that they were like taking a vitamin... Can you believe that!! I do not trust him anymore!!! I have weaned off both... first clonazepam (off for 7 months) and Amitriptyline off for 3 weeks. I too, cannot sleep... I cannot fall asleep some nights , some nights I go to sleep , then wake up... then cannot go back to sleep... This has been going on for about 3 weeks. It does not feel like sleep because I never get sleepy... also very shallow. I am afraid I will never sleep again. I have been trying Melatonin and supplements... It is so hard to function without sleep. I use to be so vibrant and enjoy everything. I am a runner and a very healthy person... so hard to workout with no sleep. Any positive feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you ...
RGartshore
1 Sep 2018
Hi there, I wonder why it is that all of this information regarding sleep deprivation was never mention when amitriptyline was prescribed. I was on 25 mg of amitriptyline for 3 months. I have not slept for out of the last six nights. I appreciate everyone's comments.
Mae5187
5 Dec 2018
RGart and Rungirl,
I am going through a very similar experience after coming off of amitryptiline. I was only taking 25mg for 4 weeks, then 10mg for another 4. I noticed the decline in my sleep after reducing from 25 to 10mg. I wake up every 30 minutes from an extremely shallow sleep. Sometimes I wonder if I slept those 30 minutes at all. I have been off of it for two weeks now and I have headaches and some nausea. It's hard to tell if those side effects are withdrawal side effects or symptoms of sleep deprivation. My sleep does not seem to be improving either. How are you guys doing with your sleep at this point. I hope it has gotten better for you and everyone on here!
Waytreeteresa
6 Jan 2019
I have been on 25 mg of amitriptyline for 7 years , it helped me sleep and stop my anxiety , had no side effects till I took 50 mg then bad headaches , constipation, feeling sick had to go back on the 25 mg no side effects but 25 mg has stopped working and my insomnia and anxiety has returned
Mae5187
18 Jan 2019
Waytree, I’m sorry you’re also dealing with insomnia, I just recently had to go back on it because my sleep was basically non existent for a month and a half and I couldn’t take it anymore. I’ve been back on for about 4 days now and it’s only helped slightly. How are you doing at this time? Any better?
Waytreeteresa
19 Jan 2019
I am taking 35 mg of amitriptyline at the moment at night which is helping I sleep sound for 7 hours a few nights later only 5 hours:sometimes I wake up at 2 o clock and can’t get back to sleep, I’ve tried coming off it but it gave me terrible side effects , as I’m 67years old I think I will try and stay on it , it helps my nerve pain and anxiety
Waytreeteresa
19 Jan 2019
I am taking 35 mg of amitriptyline at the moment at night which is helping I sleep sound for 7 hours a few nights later only 5 hours:sometimes I wake up at 2 o clock and can’t get back to sleep, I’ve tried coming off it but it gave me terrible side effects , as I’m 67years old I think I will try and stay on it , it helps my nerve pain and anxiety
Mae5187
14 March 2019
Seelia, thank you for sharing. My sleep is exactly how you described yours. Shallow and fragmented. I wake up every 20-60 minutes. Sometimes I can go back to sleep sometimes I can’t. Sometimes I don’t even know if I was sleeping or not! I’m 4 months off ami and not seeing much improvement. I’m so anxious and depressed about this. When you started to get 4-5 hours of sleep was it consolidated or were you still waking frequently? I’m terrified this is going to last forever. I was only on ami for 2.5 months! Not long at all. Would love to hear from you! I need some hope right now. How are you sleeping now? 8 hours yet? Best :)
Seelia
16 March 2019
Mae5187, my sleep got more consolidated and the quality of it got better as it got longer. So when I was at 4-5 hours, I didn't wake up every hour or so anymore.
I'm glad to say I'm in good place now with my sleep. Sometimes I get 6 hours and sometimes 9 hours. I don't count hours anymore. My sleep feels normal and normally I get enough of it.
I don't believe amitriptyline can cause permanent damage so that the sleep disorder lasts forever (especially when you were on it for a short period of time). I felt hopeless for several months, but I got better. Don't get alarmed if there is a setback at one point and the progress seems to stop. I had those as well, but it was only temporary.
I hope you get better soon!
Mae5187
16 March 2019
Thanks for your response Seelia. I feel like I should have made further progress by now. I don’t feel like any progress has been made after 4 months. I hope it gets better soon. Reading your story gives some hope. Thank you
ArmandoLeGentil
22 Feb 2017
Hi all, I was on amitriptyline 10mg for 3months then I stopped taking it given that it makes me not sleeping for 3nights. I went over anxiety, panic, itching, headaches, insomnia etc. Now 4weeks, I am not still able to sleep, Maxi 3hrs a night with the help of benadryl each day, and sometimes I will take lorazepam 0.5mg prescribed by my doctor. I am so afraid is this going to last for ever? Will I recover my normal sleep pattern? Please help, I am curious to know about given that not sleeping gives me irritation during the day, I cannot function. Please help.
phillip cole
11 July 2017
Okay I have been on Amitriptyline for 5 years at 100 mgs a night for sleep. I started cutting down by 5 mgs. per week so it has took me a while... I am now completely off but can not sleep at all. Maybe a hour a night of sleep if I am lucky... I am using my husbands e mail because I can not get into mine. I am ready to go back on a low dose just so I can sleep. I know this probably sounds bad but I do not know what else to do... I have tried melatonin , and doxepin to see if that would help but it hasn't. I am at a loss so I need some help here. I am fine except for the sleepless thing so the panic and anxiety and depression does pass, again just can not sleep. Any suggestions ???
RGartshore
1 Sep 2018
how it that taking a drug like this for such a short term can impact one's sleep so dramatically??? And no major warning??? Sounds like something should change.
tilliebug45
21 Nov 2013
Hi Creneet, You don't know how glad I was to see your post, as I have been experiencing the exact same symptoms that you are having because of the Amitriptyline. I have been on 50mg of Amitriptyline for 8 years and started having severe leg pain, and it used to make me sleep then suddenly it stopped. My doctor took me off of this medication as I was only on it for a bladder disease and not depression. The withdrawal symptoms have been horrible and I did come off of it slowly, still my sleep is so messed up I have no clue, same as you, some nights no sleep at all, gone 3 nights in a row no sleep, ended up in the emergency room with 107 heart rate and vomiting. I was dehydrated so I had to have fluids. Anyway went back to the doctor and was put on Buspar. The Buspar side effects are just as bad. I don't want to be on more meds, I just want to be able to sleep. I think if I could just sleep normally then I wouldn't be having the anxiety and be exhausted.
I can't take the over the counter sleep aids because I have thyroid issues, which at this time are not giving me any problems, knock on wood. I am just so thankful I found someone that I can relate too with these problems. It is like no one understands. I wish I had never got on Amitriptyline and I never want to go through this again... Hope you feel better soon and please let me know if you figure anything out and I will for you too if I figure it out as well.
marija976
3 Nov 2014
Dear tilliebug,
I am very curious to know how your situation resolved one year after. I am getting desperate thinking I'll never be able to sleep again :(.
donna 1958
9 Aug 2015
I have been off Amitriptyline for about 1month. I was on it 10 plus years. Wish my general doctor and my migraine doctor would have told me how bad it was going to be. I don't think I would have gotten off it. At first my sleeping was o.k. then I started having problems with not sleeping. It is getting worse. For me it's not just sleeping, it's also having to pee thru out the night. Noticed leg cramping on off thru out the night started after getting off the Amitriptyline. I plan on going to my doctor to discuss this, I can't take another day of not sleeping. I am a nanny, I can't function with no sleep. I appreciate any bodies comments.
marija976
9 Aug 2015
Hey Donna,
You probably slept well first two weeks. Afrer that the med was out of your system and problems started. I wen't through that torture while pregnant. It goes away, but it takes time. You will have good and bad phases. As time passes bad phases will shorten and good phases will last longer, untill eventualy the problem dussapears. It took one year in my case.
Probably best to ask your gp for a sleep aid and the take it when you get really exhausted (like every third night).
And remember, it wont last forever :)
Br - Marija
Phil39
17 Oct 2016
I was taking amitript 50mg for about 8 years . I have stopped about 2.5 months ago and my sleep as improved at weekends but during the week when I know I have to get up early I can't sleep . I'm getting only 2 to 3 hours sleep and struggling as I have a physical job . I've tried magnesium and valerian but not working . Any advise please ?
marija976
18 Oct 2016
It took me full year to get my sleep back. I suggest you go to physician and get some sleep aid. I couldn't get any because I was pregnant and then breastfeeding...
22marilynn
14 Sep 2018
Hello,
My daughter took 15 mg. of Elavil for 8 years till last week. She has been decreasing the dose by .25 mg every 2-3 weeks. Although she hasn’t had any sleep problems till the last week she has had headaches and nausea for the first few days of each step down. The last couple days she has been waking up in the middle of the night nauseas and with continued nausea on waking.
Trudy Scott does a lot of teaching on neurotransmitters and amino acids and antidepressants. She recommends taking tryptophan especially and sometimes GABA for getting off Antidepressants.
So after 3 nauseating nights with insomnia she tried 1 gram of tryptophan and a GABA tablet called CALM and she slept through the night the first night and only woke up once without nausea the second. I am not a doctor or even a naturopath, just a concerned mom who reads a lot on the internet.
I would suggest reading what she has to say and her warnings as well.
I was amazed at how well it worked for her. Mind you now it has only 9 days since she took her last pill, and so far it sounds like she has such an easier time of it. I wish everyone the best in their struggle to be healthy.
Inactive
23 Sep 2013
Hello crenet. It might be a bit longer yet. I recommend you contact your physician and see what might be done to ease the present symptoms. Perhaps a drug to replace the Elavil. Regards pledge
Trinabell
23 Sep 2013
Hey Creneet. Im sorry to hear your having such a tough time. I wish my answer was gonna make you feel better but unfortunately its not. Amitriptyline usage should be weaned down slowly especially after prolonged use to avoid serious withdrawal symptoms. If you just suddenly quit without a weaning process then you can suffer from withdrawal then P.A.W.S (post acute withdrawal syndrome)for up to a year. You made it through the 1st 30 days which is the worst but you can expect a few months struggle to slowly recover a regular sleep pattern again. Just exactly how long depends on how long you took the elavil. If you used it daily for 1yr then relief is week or 2 away but if you used elavil for 10yrs well you've got months potentially before you can truly claim a normal sleep routine again. I suggested going to your local grocery stores cold/allergy section finding the store brand sleep aids then specifically look for the 1 that's 50mg diphenhydramine & buy them.
That nite about an hour before bed take 2-50mg sleep aids & then 30mins later take 1 more. As long as you are over 100pounds & dont have a chronic pulmonary disease &aren't taking other RX sleeping pills this dosing is safe per my Dr. When I was coming off dilaudid after a years use he told me to do this so I could sleep. Also the diphenhydramine is NON addictive so its ok to use them nightly til you can sleep on your own. Hope that helps you some.
creneet
24 Sep 2013
Hi Trinabell,
Thank you so much for your answer to my questions about Amitriptyline. I took 50 mgs every night for about 3 years. I've tried diphenhydramine, ZZZquil, Nyquil, and natural sleep aids like melatonin, etc. Most of the time nothing helped. My doctor called in Clonidene the other day to help me with the withdrawal symptoms. I think it worked some. I just hope it doesn't have withdrawals symptoms when I quit it. I hate to say it but I just don't trust doctors anymore. My doctor and I nearly successfully killed me. I just don't want to have to depend on a lot of meds. I went to my Chiropractor yesterday and he put electrodes on my ears to help reset my bio rhythms. He also told me to double up on the Melatonin and I was able to sleep 9 hours last night. Boy, its amazing what a few hours of sleep will do for you. I actually felt normal today and my pain level was down pretty low since I got the treatment from my chiro.
I believe I am over most of the withdrawal symptoms from the Amitriptyline. All the other meds like hrdrocodone, Flexeril, and Neurontin were a piece of cake to get over.
I am so glad you were able to get off dilaudid. I hear it is pretty hard to get off of it. I'm sure it was tough on you too. Anyway, thanks once again for your help.
marija976
15 Oct 2014
Dear Trinabell,
I was on amitriptyline (50mg) for migraine treatment for 5 years and then 10mg another 6 months. I am pregnant now and had to quit amitriptyline completely three months ago. Since then I had troubles sleeping often not sleeping more than 3 hours a night. Being pregnant and suffering GI issues related to pregnancy doesn't help. Is there anything I can do to help myself? My ObGyn said that there are are no safe options for pregnant women to treat insomnia. I hope this is not going to last throughout my pregnancy :(
Trinabell
22 Oct 2014
Hey Marija. Your situation is a little bit more complicated & unfortunately with you being pregnant there really isn't to many options. Even simple OTC drugs like Benadryl or Nyquil breach the fetal/maternal barrier & pose a threat to your unborn child. I do have a few suggestions that are safe when pregnant. Try sitting in/laying down in a cool mutely lit room with white noise (from a white noise machine or even a fan on high) close your eyes relax focus on white noise or your own breathing. Keep your mind empty & do this for atleast 20mins even if it feels weird to you @ 1st. Do it everyday for a week before deciding if you find it beneficial or not. Meditation is an excellent way to ease into sleep for many. Also soak in a nice warm bath as long as u can then after head straight to bed. Avoid looking at any bright lights like your cell phone or laptop even in a dark room bcuz bright lights trigger waking stimulations in your brain just like the rising sun.
Another thing ive learned is that even if i havent slept well in days i must not start thinking/worrying in my head & telling myself oh I probably won't be able to sleep tonight either. If i obsess over it prior to attempting sleep its almost like i jinx myself. Your mind is a powerful thing & thots r seeds that grow. Sent your room with chamomile & lavender & drink chamomile tea while taking bath before bed as these help induce sleep. Mostly be patient & remind yourself often that this will pass soon. Shortly in your future you'll look back on this & then go to sleep for a full 8hrs easily. I hope these help a little. I know they aren't the best solutions but any little bump helps. Good luck.
marija976
3 Nov 2014
Thank you Trinabell,
I am grateful for your advice and support. I just had another series of sleepless nights and am terrified. Funny how our brain works when we don't sleep. I kind of fear I will never be able to sleep normally again :)
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elavil, insomnia, amitriptyline
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