Amitriptyline for Pain User Reviews (Page 4)

• Ortho...
• January 23, 2016

"I have been taking amitriptyline on and off for over three years after a serious road accident, where my pelvis was crushed and I suffered major nerve damage. It really works, but I am trying to get off it permanently because of the side effects. It helps with pain and sleep, which are my two biggest complaints, but the side effects of constipation, dry mouth, and a weight gain of 50 pounds (from 120 to 170) are really quite terrible, especially when taken in connection with other side effect-causing drugs. I would be very careful about taking this drug. It's very important to weigh the costs vs benefits. Since I was a trauma patient, I didn't have much choice in the matter, and I am still living with the consequences."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 13, 2012

"I lived with chronic neck and shoulder pain, and when my sleep became affected, I went into anxiety and depression. I've been on amitriptyline for twenty years, and I will never come off it. My daughter recently had pain and anxiety. Doctors prescribed medicines that sent her heart racing. She used this, and one month later she's so much better. I believe this medicine stopped the progression of fibromyalgia for me. It also significantly arrests shingles. The good old medicines are tried and true. Amitriptyline is excellent for many things."

• Afran...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 29, 2019

Endep (amitriptyline) "I was prescribed Endep for severe Endometriosis. I was very hesitant with it being used as an anti-depressant in some cases, however I must say it works wonderfully. I have been able to go back to work and get on with my life, I do still have outbursts occasionally but it sure beats living on endone in agony! It is a little harder for me to get out of bed in the mornings although I am fine once up. I sleep better and seem happier, of course with the reduced pain. I haven't lost weight drastically or had any fevers or chills as others prescribed. So far very happy. I am 4 weeks in."

• Niks
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 10, 2019

"I suffer from vestibular migraines. After a hospital referral my consultant prescribed me 10mg Amytriptyline. I took it a few hours before bedtime, as recommended. One hour after taking it I became restless, irritable. It took me a few hours to settle before I finally fell into a deep sleep. The next morning I felt groggy, hungover, light headed and generally yuck. Being a slight build (petite) and being very sensitive to any medication! I knew 10mg was too much for me. So the following night I halved the dose (bit one tablet into two). I personally feel this is more manageable to cope with as a starting point. Once my body is used to it I'll up the dose to a full tablet (10mg). I can't imagine many people being as sensitive as me but I highly recommend halving the dose to start with if you are. And yes, with amitriptyline I'm migraine free. Awful dry mouth but the benefits far outweighs a dry mouth!"

• Joan
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 16, 2020

Elavil (amitriptyline) "My doctor prescribed this drug to treat my severe, chronic migraines. It was a horrible experience. I had vivid nightmares every night and stopped caring about anything. It felt like I was in a fog half the time."

• Viole...
• March 12, 2016

"This can be a life-changer. I'm 22 and had gotten a concussion back in Nov. I was in bed every day for over 2 months, told to avoid ALL stimulation, lost a few lbs, hit with multiple migraines per day. My doc prescribed amitriptyline & within a few days of starting, I was easing back out of the dark and into the light (metaphorically and literally). This med gave me my life back and now I'm able to graduate on-time which was threatened then. Symptoms: a little more constipation than my usual, dry mouth, a dampened libido... they're all not bad sacrifices for me. Also, I've been aura-migraine-free since this medicine too! My aunt has been on it for almost 30 yrs and it's helped her chronic migraines as well. She's about 55 I think. Consider it!!!"

• THERDP
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 3, 2016

"Used to sleep through nighttime back pain. When I wake up at night, it is easy to get back to sleep. I use 10 mg. Initially woke in the morning with headaches, but learned to take it 3 hours before bedtime and no more headaches. Sometimes slightly groggy in the morning, but short-lived. Sometimes wake up in the morning really stiff but had good sleep. Couple of stretching exercises and good to go."

• Anonymous
• January 23, 2013

Elavil (amitriptyline) "I have been on 75mg of Elavil for over a year now for degenerative disc disease and 2 bad knees. It helps me sleep, but the pain is still bad even with a morphine patch and oxycodone. Maybe my case is a rare one."

• Gonzmar
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 29, 2016

"Was given this medication after being diagnosed with herniated discs in the cervical spine. For years before, I tried all kinds of pain medication with no relief at all. Amitriptyline did what none of them did."

• Jules...
• February 25, 2015

"After recovering from a brain tumor and having it removed, I suffered from awful pains in my eyes. I think it was eye strain from reading and using the iPad while recovering. I was desperate for the pain to go away, trying all sorts of painkillers, sometimes taking more than I should have. Until my great doctor prescribed amitriptyline, after a few days I felt relief. I'm now pain-free and limit my time on the iPad."

• K8E
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 3, 2018

"Doctor prescribed this for sleep disturbances. I didn't believe it would work but it absolutely worked! Not only that it has helped with my hip and back pain....I just realised it had helped after reading the comments of people using it for pain. I've only been on it for a week at 25mg. If you take it no later than 8pm as intended you don't really feel groggy in the morning. I've slept through the night every night without getting woken up by my pain. I've even been able to sleep on my side....something I could very rarely do before taking this. I'm absolutely blown away. I did read that something like 1 in 4 people will feel the benefits for sleep/pain. Someone suggested to do more testing but I think it just comes down to trying it and if it does work keep taking it. It won't work for everybody. For the first time in a long time I actually am looking forward to going to bed, not dreading it. And its on the PBS in Australia so about $6 for a pack of 50"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 4, 2017

Elavil (amitriptyline) "I was given this medication to help my daily chronic headaches. Started it a little over a month ago. Three days in I had one of the worst headaches ever. After that the headaches started to diminish. I now have weakness and loss of feeling in my hands arms and legs and feet, seizure activity, confusion, and sleeping all the time. I don't feel like myself and I'm super miserable all the time. Dr doesn't want to take me off this medication but I cannot live life like this. I don't recommend this medication."

• Atsmi
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 30, 2015

"I was prescribed this for vulvodynia after seeing 2 gynecologists with no clue what 'disease' I 'had'. My third gynecologist put me on 25mg each night, after a year of experiencing excruciatingly painful intercourse for no apparent reason. After just 2 weeks, Amitriptyline successfully took away the pain! I'm so thankful for my gyno's knowledge of this drug and her shot into the dark on prescribing me this, despite it rarely being prescribed in an OBGYN clinic!"

• Miss...
• May 29, 2011

"I'm diabetic and I've been taking amitriptyline hydrochloride for five weeks for pain from peripheral neuropathy in my feet and hands. I'm amazed at how well this medication works. I'm on 30mg daily and my hands are 90% improved, and the pain in my feet has vanished for the first time in years. I do have a few of the more common side effects... vivid dreams, occasional dry mouth, and once in a while, I feel lightheaded if I stand up too quickly. I can live with all of these if I can be pain-free."

• Rev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 13, 2017

"After 12 years on T3's twice a day so I can walk with less pain following broken back caused by drunk driver, I am starting to see the light (not that one!). I am really noticing a big pain difference and am even skipping T3 doses (unheard of)! I am elated, hoping Doc will be too. I am even noticing that I am not hungry and have stopped eating regularly scheduled meals until I am. Maybe I'll drop a few pounds too! Love & Light, Rev T."

• Silly...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 9, 2016

"I have severe pain due to a deteriorating ankle joint. I had great difficulty sleeping at night with the pain associated. I take a 25 mg tablet at bedtime and not only does it help me sleep, it stops those painful leg jerks that would make my ankle react in painful spasms. It is an absolutely wonderful drug for stopping the night pain."

• Sweet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 18, 2017

"I have had chronic pain since I was about 11 yrs old, I'm 43 now, due to a genetic blood disease. It's caused arthritis that's led to neuropathy, spine degeneration, and many damaged joints. I have been taking toradol and gabapentin for nerve pain for almost 3 years. Recently a bleed in my feet caused extensive nerve damage that would make my feet burn at night. My doctor added 50 mg of Elavil to my bedtime meds and after 6 weeks I notice a significant improvement. It has been 3 months and 90% of my foot pain and numbness is gone. I have also noticed an overall improvement in my face pain and back pain. I am lucky enough to not have any notable side effects."

• Eeds
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 6, 2019

"Started taking this drug at 10mg for neuropathic pain from cervical stenosis. Little to no effect. Increased to 45mg. Excellent pain effect but breasts enlarged so much, super sensitive like when I was breastfeeding. Stomach bloated to the point where I had to recline to get comfortable. Pain upper right abdomen. Stopped taking it and within days breasts were back to normal and stomach so much better. Will have to live with the pain as side effects too debilitating."

• Randi...
• June 19, 2016

"My experience with amitriptyline I take 20mg in the evening, and it helps my pain tremendously. I can't take Lyrica, gabipenton due to edema side effects. My only complaint is that I can't wake up! It's causing problems with my marriage, and other family relationships. It's catch 20/20. Do I take only medication that allows me to function on daily basis with my chronic pain,or live in pain to maintain family relationships. : /"

• Te Jay
• September 22, 2014

"First I would like to thank each of you for your comments. After reading the side effects of this medication, I was very leery about starting it. I took my first one last night. 25 mg. Nothing on the ppr work stated it would help head aches. I've had a constant head ache since June 28th. Sometimes a little better, but most times it stops me in my track. I will follow up the longer I take it. Thank you again."

• Lulu...
• October 23, 2016

"Developed a prolapsed disk during pregnancy which caused burning/throbbing sciatica all down right leg. I could only sleep for a maximum of two hours at night before the pain woke me up and it was also pretty grim throughout the day. Worked my way up to 20mg of Amitriptyline (5mg more every few days) and found that after several weeks the pain had reduced greatly. After a few months tried reducing dose to 15mg (due to side effects of tiredness and feeling groggy in the morning) but the pain returned so increased dose back to 20mg and pain has gone again. This drug might not suit everyone but for me the benefits of this medication definitely outweigh the side effects and I shall be continuing to take it."

• Fal
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 4, 2016

Elavil (amitriptyline) "Was prescribed Elavil mainly for chronic headaches. Also suffer from depression, anxiety and insomnia so my neurologist had me start Elavil to try and kill many birds with one stone, so to speak. Elavil worked great to reduce the intensity of my headaches. Although they were still going on it was much more tolerable. I had been on Elavil only one month and a week before I stopped. First week my insomnia and anxiety seemed to be simmering down (This stopped soon after week 2). As for my depression... Elavil put it under a magnifying glass. I was suicidal and crying on a daily basis, it was not the medication for me... It helped with the main objective but at a horrible cost."

• Bina
• June 14, 2016

"I was in good health but developed severe neuropathic burning pain all over the body due to an MRI scan. I have been taking 10mg amitriptyline for the past 4 weeks and it seems to be starting to work, the burning pain is less severe so far. It hasn't helped any other symptoms which devleoped following teh scan but I would recommend it for neuropathic pain- also, I haven't develeoped any of the stated side effects. My friend also takes it in a higher dose (50) for depression and she is fine on it (no weight gain etc). Side effects not a reason to not take for pain."

• Shell
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 21, 2015

"This is the only medication I can take that gives me some relief from the pain I suffer in my back and leg. I have disc damage and nerve damage. I at times can be taking 75mg per night and other times only 20mg pain dependent. The only side effect I suffer is the chronic munchies the next day until I have completely flushed the drugs out of my system and a slight drowsiness. Without these, I would not get any sleep at night. These guarantee me 3 solid hours and some pain relief."

• DKNY
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 10, 2017

"I was prescribed Amitriptyline 10mg nightly for nerve pain. I have had spinal surgery involving a C5/6 discectomy, while C4/5 and C6/7 are prolapsed. With the C6/7 prolapse worsening the pain through my neck, upper back, shoulder and arm was becoming unbearable. Although the initial pain at the C6/7 disc site has not completely gone (due to the disc nearing surgery stage) I have found it gave me great relief from my peripheral pain allowing me to get some sleep. The side effects in the first few days was a bit of confusion, felt a bit dizzy and tired, my husband saw me through the first couple of days, it was worth it. I have had cortisones and am now coming off all tablets. Headaches, but not bad."