Amitriptyline User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• Gwe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 20, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I took amitriptyline for a year back in 2016. It did wonders for my anxiety, insomnia, and nerve pain. I stopped taking it because I had gained 30 pounds in that year, and I was afraid that I would just keep gaining. Over the last 3 years, I have tried medical marijuana, Prozac, nortriptyline, Zoloft, CBT, residential treatment, and more to try and treat my anxiety and C-PTSD. Nothing helped, and the SSRIs caused severe side effects. Last week, I decided to go back on amitriptyline. The morning after I took my 1st 10mg dose, I already felt calmer. My mood is better, my anxiety is better, and I am sleeping well. I just bumped up to 20mg last night. Other than a bit of grogginess for a day or two after each dosage bump and a slow creep of my weight, I don't have any side effects from this medication. I plan on watching my nutrition and getting more exercise this time around. I'm thankful I'm back on the only meds that have ever worked for me."

• Yor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 10, 2019

For Pain "I started taking amitriptyline 10mg on 1st Jan 2019. Initially, I slept 12 hours a night, had weird dreams, and was groggy and a little dizzy. This passed, though, after a couple of months. I have now been on it for 4 months and still sleeping well. It helps with pain and has helped with menopause and watery eyes too. Initially, I put on about 8 lbs, but now I am losing it again as I feel so much better and have lots of energy. My only regret is I didn’t start taking it 10 years ago. My advice: persevere as you get used to it and it will help."

• Fru...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 30, 2014

Amitriptyline for Pain "This was prescribed to me years ago in the late 1980s for pain, insomnia, and stress. It was a blessing for me - being able to sleep, no more pain, and stress diminished. I slowly stopped taking it after being on it for three years with no problems after that. I was going through a lot of stress in my life - deaths, empty nest, break ups, job changes, etc."

• Anonymous
• February 29, 2012

Amitriptyline for Pain "I use Elavil for fibromyalgia, and it has worked wonders for my sleep issues. My overall quality of life has dramatically increased simply because I am able to get the sleep I so needed, and it's helping with depression/anxiety. It works better than Ambien. My dose now is only 50 mg, so glad I tried this medicine. I am very scared of antidepressants due to a horrible reaction from Cymbalta, but Elavil is an older medication, and its chemical makeup is different than most of the newer SSRIs. I went from sleeping on average of 4 to 5 hours a night, now I can sleep 10 without ever waking up-literally something I haven't been able to do in 5 years. This medicine is the best medicine for me, and I've tried everything out there as I have had Fibro for 8 years."

• Ped...
• May 22, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I am sharing my opinion with maximum respect to all readers and based only on my own experience. I've had migraines almost all my life. I am 44. My migraine was 50% pain and 50% mood change (which was terrible or even worse than the pain). This has been deeply affecting my quality of life, my relationships (mood changes) and also at work. The last neurologist I visited put me on Amitriptyline 25mg. The medicine helped a bit in reducing the frequency of the migraines. However, migraines came back and the last attack lasted for 3 weeks. He changed the dose to 50 mg. I am now 71 days without migraine and still counting. I am a new person and I wish my comment may help others."

• Mer...
• January 9, 2020

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "After years of suffering from IBS-D, trying multiple prescriptions, diets, over-the-counter meds, etc., I heard about the use of antidepressants to treat it. My GP prescribed Zoloft, but after reading about side effects and personal accounts from other IBS-D sufferers, I decided the risk outweighed the reward. Continued doing research and came across posts about amitriptyline. Sounded promising, side effects of constipation/sleepiness were very appealing. I've also been dealing with intermittent sleep anxiety and insomnia. GI doc agreed to prescribe amitriptyline. Starting dose was 10mg/night. Didn't notice any change or side effects or improvement. Bumped it up to 20mg and definitely noticed a difference. BMs were improving, anxiety and stress levels were way down, sleeping great. Started to feel like my old self again. Been taking 25mg since Nov 2019 and have had 0 negative side effects. Highly recommend this drug amitriptyline to those suffering from IBS-D whose main trigger is anxiety."

• Lus...
• February 8, 2017

For Pain "After 16 years of back pain, I've had every medication and treatment possible - even holistic - and NOTHING has worked. I am three weeks into taking 20mg of this and already feel blessed! Pain is almost gone, head feels happier, and I feel positive I can get back to keeping fit at last! Amen to Amitriptyline!"

• Cal...
• September 22, 2015

For Depression "I have suffered for many, many years with major depressive disorder among others. I have tried way too many different drugs to alleviate my symptoms. While most meds helped to some degree, it was rather like putting a bandaid on a hemorrhaging aorta. Since I have started on only 25 mg of amitriptyline, my life has turned around. I feel like my old self. I never dreamed I would have the opportunity to feel so 'normal'. The years were flying by, and I thought my lot in life was to get by with my bandaid firmly affixed. Now I am strong emotionally, and whatever has come down the pike has not paralyzed my being. I am thrilled and grateful that my Psych let me try this. At 69 (and a half), I truly have a new lease on the rest of my life."

• Mik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2014

For Pain "I have suffered with excruciating pain in my toes for 3 years almost. Suicidal pain was so bad. Codeine had no effect. A new doctor put me on 10mg of amitriptyline. Wow, what a result! No pain and I am sleeping and feeling much better."

• Kay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2018

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I've had IBS-D, endometriosis, and chronic pain for fifteen years. I went on amitriptyline after reading this message board, with the deepest desperation but also complete disbelief that it would help me. Three months on and I hardly have any pain, maybe once in the last month (I used to have chronic pain every day). I can't believe it. It's a miracle, my life is changed, I can live. I don't know why no doctors ever suggested it all the times I went to my GP crying in pain, it was never mentioned. I just stumbled on this message board when researching. It's also really helped my diarrhea, basically disappeared compared with having to take an Imodium every other day and buscopan all the time. Thank you to everyone who commented on here before me and helped me on my journey to a pain-free life :). You saved my life."

• Sco...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 10, 2019

Amitriptyline for Insomnia "I was originally prescribed Elavil for a chronic cough, and it was amazing. Within about one hour after taking the first 10 mg tablet, my cough was gone. I have, just like my grandfather and my mother, always suffered from insomnia. My doctor mentioned that it was also a really good medicine for insomnia. I had been taking 75 mg of Benadryl for many years to help me sleep. I was able to completely stop taking Benadryl, and the Elavil has cured my insomnia too. I have not suffered any side effects at all."

• Eha...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 30, 2025

Amitriptyline for Depression "Elavil (or amitriptyline) changed my life nearly 40 years ago. I was still in high school and was tremendously depressed. When I saw my gynecologist for my routine appointment, he prescribed them to me, kind of as an afterthought (and a pretty new treatment, this happened in the 1980s). After using for a few weeks, I was completely changed -- and a much more popular young lady. Throughout my entire life, I have always taken some form of tricyclic antidepressant (imipramine, as well as amitriptyline). It is the most life-changing drug I've ever taken. I wish you the best."

• Man...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2014

Amitriptyline for Insomnia "Amitriptyline has helped my insomnia by a tenfold. I have issues staying asleep due to my fibromyalgia and anxiety. I sleep all night for once. Unfortunately, it has side effects: no appetite, impotence, daytime drowsiness, constipation."

• Nic...
• January 19, 2014

For Insomnia "I have been suffering with sleepless nights for over 8 years. Nothing seemed to work. Since I have been prescribed a small dosage of amitriptyline, my sleep has very much improved. I fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. I actually look forward to going to bed now."

• boo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2017

For Pain "So you live in horrible pain and I was since 1988. Since 1988! 29 years of agony. Endless worthless 'specialists'. I cannot tell you this unless the 'broken neck' (as I call it, that's how it felt). I need you to understand how it was. I would have chosen cancer over this endless pain. I read about amitriptyline for pain. I said let's try amitriptyline. Quietly and without fanfare, this drug came to me. My pain is completely gone. If you have endless pain, ask your doctor to give you this drug."

• Mee...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 14, 2012

Amitriptyline for Anxiety and Stress "I have been taking Elavil for over 5 years now, and I must say, it has changed my whole outlook completely. I was diagnosed as bipolar, depressed, and an insomniac. This medication has improved all three of my conditions."

• Sna...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 6, 2020

For Interstitial Cystitis "I’ve been on this medication for 11 years. It has literally saved me! I no longer have panic attacks, and (fingers crossed) it has stopped my Interstitial Cystitis (IC) flare-ups. I couldn’t function from my IC, the pain was absolutely miserable. I take Amitriptyline at night 30 minutes before bed. The timing of when you take this medicine is important. I accidentally took it one morning and couldn’t function. You HAVE to take it at night only. I only take 25 mgs. I’ve been on the same milligrams since day one. I’ve not had one panic attack since I started this medicine 11 years ago. I couldn’t go without it because it’s changed my life so much for the good. I wish everyone the best of luck with their health and happiness."

• Muc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 18, 2013

For Insomnia "I've only been on Elavil for a couple of weeks at 10mg, but I have to say it has been a VERY positive experience thus far. I have been in a bad loop by not sleeping well, and then my days were going downhill as well. Now, if I do wake up in the middle of the night, I seem to be able to just roll over and get back to sleep. This is versus waking up in full panic mode and then laying there with my heart and mind racing. I'm optimistic it will continue to work. I'm a 51-year-old male."

• Bet...
• September 23, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I take amitriptyline 30 to 35 mg for IBS-C since being diagnosed 10 years ago. Truly a miracle drug for me. The pain, nausea, and bloating were unbearable and ruining my life. Amitriptyline took care of it all! It took about 4 to 6 weeks for full effect and I felt pretty spacey and almost like in a drunken state until my body adjusted. But it was well worth it and I would highly recommend it. I take it at bedtime and drowsiness is not an issue. Dry mouth is tolerable. I wish more doctors would prescribe it for IBS and start patients on it sooner to decrease patients' suffering."

• kel...
• April 14, 2015

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I have been taking amitriptyline for 3 months now. I take 10mg in the morning and at night due to how severe my irritable bowel syndrome is. I can eat everything now and have no side effects. I used to have diarrhea, bloating, stomach cramps, and bad gas every time I ate gluten, dairy, spicy foods, onion, garlic, and coffee. I've suffered from IBS for 8 years. This medicine has changed my life."

• Vic...
• May 1, 2020

For Insomnia "I'm 57, healthy fit male. I struggle with insomnia and have since 2010. It got really bad, wouldn’t sleep consistently for 3-5 days at a time. On the 4th-5th day I’d fall asleep... sleep for 6-7 hours and then do it all over again. My doc gave me Amitriptyline, 10 mg. I sleep like a baby! And the dreams are incredible. However, at the 4th day mark I start feeling very achy, a bit depressed, and mentally groggy. I don’t “wake up” mentally until 1-2 pm the following day. (So, I just use it 2-3x a week.) So, of the prescribed sleep drugs I’ve been given, I do like Amitriptyline... it does help me sleep and the dreams are unreal! It’s like I’m in a wild, crazy adventure movie every night! But, even at a very low dose, it causes me to feel a bit depressed, groggy, brain fog, and achy. Oh, almost forgot. It increases my libido a wee bit (hence the wild dreams!) ;-) So, I use it sparingly... 2-3x a week. Say hi! Share your thoughts."

• Anonymous
• December 11, 2023

For Insomnia "I probably tried every prescription drug; every natural remedy... everything. I suffered from brutal insomnia for 30 years. After 2 years on Amitriptyline, I can honestly say this medicine has given me my life back. I'm shocked to sleep well every night. Incredible relief."

• Sis...
• October 19, 2014

For Pain "I have had severe pain in my stomach for the last 5-6 years. Sometimes the pain was so bad I could not even move in my own bed. I started this medication after I was told that I have a nerve disorder. I am so pleased to say I have not felt any pain in over 7 days! Not only am I not in pain but I am sleeping so much better! I can also wake up easier and I feel less stressed. This medicine is amazing and it has saved me from more years of pain!"

• Bob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 19, 2014

For Migraine Prevention "I have suffered from migraines on and off since my teens, always visual patterns, then wham! The headache. A few years ago, I just had the patterns and no pain. Then it changed to tension neck pain which then turned into a headache as soon as I woke up more or less daily. Imigran helped but I was popping them like smarties. I tried giving up all the known triggers, but nothing helped. Then a couple of months ago, the doctor prescribed Amitriptyline 25mg every night. I have had maybe 2 or 3 slight headaches since. The first week I was a little woozy, but that passed. Now I wake up with a dry mouth and food tastes different, but no headache. It used to be unusual to wake up with no headache, now it's unusual to wake up with one. I recommend anyone to give it a try."

• wen...
• October 2, 2013

For Anxiety and Stress "I've been on this med for a week for anxiety and depression following a major operation for cancer. I just couldn't pick myself up, had a breakdown, I guess. Started at 25mg, then up to 50mg. Sleep like a baby. No side effects apart from a healthy appetite, which I need as I've lost weight. They have saved my life. I got so low I didn't want to be here."