Amitriptyline for Pain User Reviews (Page 2)

• Franc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 29, 2016

"Started amitriptyline for fibromyalgia 5 weeks ago at 10mg. I started it on a Friday night after reading the reviews in case it made me groggy. The first two nights/mornings I slept significantly throughout the day. But by Monday morning I was fine and up by my usual 5:30 am school route to take my children to school. I felt a slight difference. No other side effects. My pain was still there but just slightly less. Doctor moved me to 20mg after 3 weeks. Again, grogginess but only the first day. But wow! I noticed my pain is about 75% gone after the 3rd day or so. I still get pain if I overwork myself. But I just need to moderate myself. Looking forward, hoping the next increase will be my miracle. Very happy!"

• sassa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 28, 2015

"After having constant headaches for 4 years and being unable to take painkillers because of rebound headaches, I was prescribed amitriptyline. I sleep right through, and on 25mg, my headaches are gone. This medicine has given me back my life!"

• Pronc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2015

"I am taking Co-codamol 30/500 and Ibuprofen 400mg x2 for 10 years as doctors could not find the reason for my pain. I had many scans and therapies but nothing worked, so they just told me to take the tablets. When we moved house, I changed doctors and got a repeat prescription. He asked why I had been taking them for so long and what doses I was taking. I was taking 8x Co-codamol and 4x Ibuprofen a day. He diagnosed me with fibromyalgia and suggested I try Amitriptyline. He recommended starting with 10 mg, then increasing to 20 mg if I had no side effects. He advised me to continue with pain relief when needed. I took some time off work and proceeded. It was amazing. I slept through the night for the first time in 10 years. So happy and reduced my pain meds by half."

• Anonymous
• January 14, 2016

"Following a stroke in June 2014, that Christmas I had become aware of an extremely unpleasant discomfort everywhere but particularly in my hands, arms, legs, and feet. This led to 7 months of tests, scans, and x-rays to try and determine what was the cause. Then finally, a neurologist diagnosed central post-stroke pain. The prognosis did not look good. Antidepressants or anticonvulsants were just about all they had to treat this condition. At first, I was reluctant, especially when I read about the possible side effects, but over time, I was beginning to despair. I decided to talk to my GP and was put on 10mg of amitriptyline and told to come back later this month (Jan). By that weekend, I was sure the tingles and prickly heat were less evident, but I had only been taking them for 3 days; surely it's too soon (I had read to give it 2-6 weeks before I could expect any beneficial change). I have now been on them for 1 week, and to my amazement, they are working. So from a 7/10 and slowly creeping up, it is now a 5/10, and I'm feeling a little better every day, all this in the space of just a week. For me, Amitriptyline has saved my life. I was sinking and in despair and was seriously thinking I could not go on with this chronic pain day after day. How I wished I'd tried this medication earlier instead of being influenced by so many negative reports because for me, Amitriptyline is truly miraculous. I feel like putting the empty box in my bedroom, surrounding it with candles and flowers, and on my knees worshiping it. If you are reluctant about taking it for neurological pain, especially central pain following a stroke, please don't be. Try it; you have nothing to lose except pain. And just one more thing, no side effects."

• zoobaby
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2013

"I have had chronic upper back pain for almost 15 years and have tried diazepam, ibuprofen, tramadol, and finally codeine. The codeine was the main one that worked, but I noticed I began taking them when I had no pain, and I realized I had become dependent very quickly with awful withdrawals when stopping them. My doctor had also prescribed me Prozac for PMDD, which gave me an irregular heartbeat. She decided to take me off codeine and Prozac and give me a low 10mg nightly dose of amitriptyline instead. What a difference they have made. I've believed for a year that only codeine would work for pain, and they helped with my mood too. How wrong I was! Amitriptyline keeps me pain-free, I sleep like a baby, and wake up feeling so refreshed!"

• Robbie...
• November 19, 2011

Elavil (amitriptyline) "No side effects other than some dry mouth. I have had pain in my upper mid-right back for several years. The pain radiated to underneath my right rib cage. After 2 years and many CT scans, my surgeon removed my gallbladder. It was diseased and had small stones, but my condition did not improve. My surgeon said that he thought my pain could be skeletal and started me on a muscle relaxer with a low dose of Elavil at night. My pain has almost subsided, and my neuropathy is much better. I am so glad to be taking it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 12, 2016

"I took 25mg of this drug for 20 years after being diagnosed with 7 different autoimmune diseases including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia. I went off it last May due to increased irritability. My symptoms all returned from the diseases - burning feet and toes, pain in knees, hips, back, and shoulders. So, I started back on my 25mg. The first night I slept through the whole night, the first time in months. I'm on day 5 and still have the hungover feeling 24/7, but nothing hurts. My whole body has a tingling sensation, which is much more tolerable than pain. However, my appetite has doubled, which is a huge worry as weight gain equals more pain in the joints. But I'll take having to watch my food intake over pain any day."

• megam...
• December 28, 2007

Elavil (amitriptyline) "This stuff works so good. I have IBS and I take 10 mg a night, and it works wonders. I don't have pain in my stomach all day long anymore, and I have harder bowel movements compared to before I started taking the amitriptyline. I also have bipolar disorder, and it helps with my stress levels and keeps me calm. I love this medicine; without it, I would be lost!"

• Fit...
• September 14, 2016

"I have a herniated and degenerated disc, sacrum joint dysfunction, and piriformis syndrome. It was very disabling; I was unable to get about, get dressed; the pain was 10/10 had to crawl while being pregnant. If I did a lot of activities, pain was on its way. I tried pain relief, did physio, went to the gym, had a good diet, used a TENS machine. Nothing really worked apart from being in bed for 3 days till the pain eased. I have 3 kids and really thought my life was going to be living in chronic pain. I was prescribed amitriptyline for headaches. Anyway, I asked my doctor for these meds for my back, so she agreed. Well, I have a new lease of life! I still get stiff and have to re-crunch (set) my back, but I haven't been a day in bed since starting them this year. I take 20mg."

• snoopy
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 2, 2019

"I've been taking Amitriptyline for 10 years plus for severe neuropathic pain, increasing the dosage to 200 mg as the pain increased. It has really helped with the pain relief. Although I started on a relatively small dose of 25 mg, I felt totally spaced out and sedated. It took my body a few weeks to get used to taking it. I do experience constipation and a dry mouth but it's better than severe pain."

• Tamz
• August 26, 2009

Elavil (amitriptyline) "I was given this for pain and insomnia. Didn't take it at first because I have a fear of drugs, but after being on this for a week, I wish I had taken it sooner. I am sleeping better and my pain is less. I have fibromyalgia along with Panic/Anxiety. This is a drug that helps it all with very few side effects for me (just dry mouth)."

• Danni...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 16, 2014

"I started taking this medicine about 5 months ago for Neuropathy. The pain has gone away completely. I went from not being able to sleep at night and constant numbness in my toes and aching in my joints to no pain at all. BUT I am 20 and am not always able to go to bed before 10 pm so many days I can't take it because it will cause me to be completely unaware and sleepy for the entire next day. Even when I take it before 10 pm some days I just can't function the next day and that is becoming so inhibiting to where I don't take it. I literally fall asleep while driving."

• Eliora
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2013

Elavil (amitriptyline) "After 12 years of dealing with EVERY DAY a tugging and pulling feeling in my brain, causing me to be determined disabled. I have a new doctor who yesterday started me on 10 mg Elavil. I came to this website to read the comments to see if I dared believe that I could be feeling like I was finally given a miracle that might cure my diagnosed 'transformed migraine' condition! TODAY, for the FIRST time in 12 years, there is no debilitating tugging and pulling, although I feel sleepy and I do feel a slight steady 'pull'."

• Noofie
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 27, 2015

"Been on amitriptyline for 3-1/2 weeks now, i.e. 10mg for 1st 3 weeks and now 20mg for last few days, taken at night before sleeping. It has reduced my lower back and other arthritic pains all day, helped me get better sleep, and also reduced my depression/anxiety levels considerably. So far, I am a definite fan. The only negative side effect so far is occasional moderate dry mouth which is tolerable, particularly considering all the benefits."

• Me-Sh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 8, 2016

"Having been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and night terrors a few years ago, I was taking the maximum amount of paracetamol and ibuprofen daily which were providing very little relief from the chronic pain. After being prescribed 20mg amitriptyline to be taken nightly, my sleep has been amazing and pain levels are almost nil! I feel I have my life back now. I was concerned that I may be a little drowsy in the mornings as I have to drive to work early, but I felt fine and 100% 'with it'. The most amazing feeling ever is one of not having to adjust everything I have to do daily to fit around the pain, muscle spasms, etc. I also keep a 'pain level' diary which is a real help on looking back."

• Beanc...
• December 22, 2009

Elavil (amitriptyline) "I developed near-total numbness in my thigh over a period of 2 months, after which the surface pain was unbearable. I couldn't even touch the hairs on my thigh without gritting my teeth in pain. I saw a neurologist who couldn't identify the cause even after MRI, EMG, and blood work. After trying Lyrica for the pain, which didn't help at all, he gave me Elavil. Using only a 25mg dose, the pain disappeared completely after one week. I did have some dry mouth as a side effect for a while, but that has subsided somewhat. Great stuff!"

• Gazza
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 21, 2016

"I had suffered for 3 months with sciatica and chronic, paralysing back pain. I had diazepam, temgesic, naproxem, solpadol, omeprazole, for pain relief, all across the 3 months and nothing worked. I went to the physio (on crutches) and he assessed me, and couldn't do anything due to the inability to move much. He mentioned trying Amitriptyline to address the nerve inflammation. I went to the doctor and started on a low dose of 10mg x 2 per night. After 3 nights, I was able to stand, walk, sit - basically was back to 80%. I still have sciatic ache in my leg but it has literally changed my quality of life. I have been on them for a week, but it is allowing me to stretch and do some physio now. Yes to the dry mouth, but try it out."

• Maher
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 25, 2019

"I've been taking amitriptyline 10mg for two weeks now for peripheral neuropathy. I initially had side effects of dry mouth, constipation, heavy chest, muscle weakness, swollen tongue, and mouth, and was so anxious for a few days, but it's all passed now, and I am feeling a lot better. I still have some flare-ups, but I also have radiation-induced cystitis. It has also helped with bladder pain and my jaw clenching. Hopefully after the next couple of months, I have even more benefits. I'm extremely sensitive when it comes to medications, so I'm glad I stuck with it, even though I was so hesitant at first."

• McCad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 26, 2014

"Systemic Lupus for 3 years, severe spinal issues and now a trapped nerve in my buttocks. After no sleep for 5 days, I became suicidal. Doc prescribed 10 mg's of Elavil...but it didn't work UNTIL I increased the dose to 30 mg's. NOW, I am finally getting sleep and pain relief. This medicine is more effective than Oxycontin, hydromorphone, and many other medicines I have taken for pain (ibuprofen and other OTC medicines). For me, the key was to increase the dose. Yes, there are side effects - constipation, dry mouth, drowsiness - but this is mild compared to suffering in so much pain that I did not want to live anymore."

• Nemo
• February 26, 2013

"I would like to share my positive experience of taking Amitriptyline as it has truly helped save my life. I was prescribed this for acute and chronic pains in my legs which were also affecting my sleep. The pain was like searing stabbing pain. I was also suicidal. I was started on amitriptyline 10mg and was also told it would help with my other myriad of symptoms - Irritable Bowel Syndrome, weak bladder, insomnia, anxiety, etc. At first, it caused numbness in my fingers and toes and on waking and going to the bathroom I had dizzy spells, my vision was a bit weird. The doctor told me to half my dose to 5mg and although it took a few months, I gradually started to feel better and all of my symptoms improved. I hope to gradually take less so I am not dependent forever."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 1, 2012

Elavil (amitriptyline) "I'm on 200 mg at night. I know it's more than most people. I have chronic pain from degenerative bone disease plus I'm bipolar. This med is old school but it has helped me more than any of the newer meds. It is worth trying if other meds haven't helped."

• Chronic...
• February 7, 2017

"I had an accident at work 5 years ago. This has caused mid-lower back pain and sciatica on and off for several years. Over time the injury has gotten worse. The pain is now also radiating into my groin area. I take co-codamol 60/1000mg 4 times a day, 500mg naproxen twice daily and now on 30mg of amitriptyline at night after the other medications weren't working. The pain hasn't gone but it is bearable. On bad days I was unable to walk. Since starting the amitriptyline, I have had a couple of side effects. Dry mouth and tiredness in the day (however, this has gotten better over time). My quality of life has significantly improved and I can live with the side effects."

• Anonymous
• March 1, 2017

"I am a hospice nurse who has tried Amitriptyline with my patients for nerve pain. Usually, they will know if it will help in a few days to a week and at much lower doses than Gabapentin/Neurontin, which takes many weeks to obtain blood levels and very high doses. I definitely think it is worth the try to control nerve pain, but it does not work for everybody. K."

• Hudso...
• April 9, 2015

"Been on amitriptyline for 2 weeks for nerve pain after shingles. It has reduced discomfort from an 8 to a 3 most days. I take 10 mg at night and other than some grogginess the first 3-4 days, no side effects. I sleep well on it too."

• soulh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 20, 2019

"Have severe pain all over from fibromyalgia and burning pain in my feet and legs due to diabetic neuropathy. Pain level was up to nine. I have been on 25mg of amitriptyline for two months. Takes the edge off the pain and I can sleep. Side effects are dry mouth, somewhat tired during the day. Extremely tired by 8pm. Not much of an appetite, but I do crave sweets."