Amitriptyline for Pain User Reviews (Page 5)

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

Amitriptyline "I was prescribed Elavil mainly for chronic headaches. I 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 ongoing, it was much more tolerable. I had been on Elavil for only one month and a week before I stopped. The 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."

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

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."

• Bin...
• 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 10 mg 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 that developed following the scan, but I would recommend it for neuropathic pain. Also, I haven't developed any of the stated side effects. My friend also takes it in a higher dose (50 mg) for depression, and she is fine on it (no weight gain, etc.). Side effects are not a reason to not take it for pain."

• Sil...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 30, 2021

"I’ve contemplated suicide due to how bad my back pain was. I am 26, fairly muscly, good healthy weight, but unfortunately, I suffer from multi-level degenerative disc disease and have 3 bulged discs. The pain was too much. I felt like cutting my wrists. I was in so much pain. I had episodes where my back would spasm, and I’d be unable to move for 1-2 weeks, this all happened so quickly. One day I was healthy and living life to the fullest, and then suddenly, 5 years of agonizing pain. I was then put on this medication, and I still have the odd ache and pain, but I finally feel normal and happy again. The pain has reduced from 100/10 to 1/10. I would recommend this to anyone. The amitriptyline hasn’t stopped the back spasms, but they are less frequent and do not last as long."

• Kdi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 16, 2018

"I have thoracic facet joint synovial cyst that is compressing the spinal nerve (foraminal stenosis). My neurosurgeon suggested surgery. I've been in severe pain for more than a year (I injured my back during a ballet competition). I have tried everything and every possible medication, and nothing helped for that sharp, shooting back pain. Pregabalin helped only for neuropathic pain but nothing for bone pain (facet joint), but it made me depressed. My pain was mostly 7-8, some days 10. I have been taking amitriptyline 10 mg only 2 days now, but my pain level is now 2-3, no more shooting pain, my bone pain is almost all gone. This is a miracle, and no side effects, nothing at all, no more depression due to pain, and I have a lot more energy."

• Cra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 26, 2016

"I have had chronic pain for over 13 years, as a result of a head-on MVA (the other driver was impaired) 33 years ago. The impact caused several injuries, but my broken knee and fibula were the worst. I had several surgeries that kept me pain-free and active until a TKR was required. Due to my age, it was put off, and though the surgery went well, it was put off too long and triggered chronic pain. I take morphine 60 mg x 3 daily, which helps me function. Recently, the doctor put me on amitriptyline 25 mg x 3 nightly. I have cut back to one, as it is very difficult for me to wake up in the morning, no matter how early I take it the night before. It does help with the pain though, and I do sleep much better!"

• rik...
• November 1, 2017

"I have been on amitriptyline 75 mg for a year and a half. It does amazing things for depression and even pain. I was suicidal every day until I was prescribed this medicine. I have had only one side effect: dry mouth! The dry mouth is terrible. I carry gum with me always, lol. I recommend this medicine to anyone with depression, nerve pain, and insomnia. It will change your life for the better! I promise you! Give it a try!"

• 123...
• June 27, 2017

"Started taking 10 mg at night, around 7 p.m. After two weeks, I began taking 20 mg, this knocked me out, and I took a long time the next day to recover. I spoke to my GP, who suggested that I take 10 mg only for another 2 weeks. Then I started taking 20 mg around 3 p.m. This works fine. Along with physiotherapy, my back pain level has reduced from 10 to around 4. So keep trying them until you find the dose that suits you. It is now time to wean myself off them. GP suggests that I go back to 10 mg, and then after 2 weeks reduce to 10 mg every other day until you are off, this takes around a month. Good luck all, with your pain management."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 19, 2016

Amitriptyline "I have been on multiple medications for the burning and tingling and shooting pains in lower legs. Finally have found the most rewarding relief. I saw an endocrinologist and she ordered a nutritional drug called Metanex. I take 1 capsule twice a day and the Elavil 50 mg at bedtime. I give thanks to God and that's it. Unbelievable relief in the symptoms I have suffered with for over a year. Anyone with these symptoms should look into getting their doctor to order the Metanex for them in conjunction with the Elavil."

• Te ...
• 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 paperwork stated it would help headaches. I've had a constant headache since June 28th. Sometimes it's a little better, but most times it stops me in my tracks. I will follow up the longer I take it. Thank you again."

• mys...
• February 9, 2013

"I have neurological Lyme disease, and I currently take 20 mg at night. I also take Panadeine Forte for breakthrough pain. Without the medication, I wouldn't be able to work. It helps me sleep as well, which is a huge bonus. I was reluctant to take it at first because of my experience of being told the illness was in my head. A good, caring doctor convinced me of its efficacy. I would recommend it as a first port of call."

• tho...
• April 16, 2008

"I have only been on amitriptyline for about 6 weeks for chronic pain in arms and hands due to nerve damage. So far so good. I am able to sleep at night and am pain-free during the day. I take 50mg before bed and 25mg twice a day. For the first time in five years, I actually sleep at night!"

• Anonymous
• April 15, 2012

"This was a miracle initially. Been on it since around 1995, I am up to 100 mg at bedtime. I now find it very difficult to get moving in the morning. I have NOT had constant PAIN since starting this medicine. I recommend it."

• Ali...
• August 2, 2017

"I was recently diagnosed with a pinched nerve in the mid-upper back due to scoliosis (at age 66). I have suffered pain in both the mid to upper back as well as my lower back. A friend who recently broke her back told me I needed to ask my doctor about Elavil. I was very familiar with this drug as I took it 40 years ago for panic attacks. I was on 10 mg for 2 weeks and have now been on 25 mg for 2 weeks. My upper back pain is virtually gone, and if I do have breakthrough pain, I can usually control it with Chinese herbal warming gel, Biofreeze, and DMSO. I am sold on this medication! Not 100% pain-free yet, but am at least 95% pain-free."

• Eli...
• July 11, 2013

"This is an update to my previous post about 4 months ago. Now, through close monitoring and guidance by my doctor, I am taking 40 mg of amitriptyline around 10 am and 20 mg around 10 pm. Side effects at this dosage are insignificant (dry mouth, bitter taste, sometimes sleepy 3 hours after the morning dose), considering I am getting much relief from the constant pushing/pulling. I rated it 8 this time because this amount seems to be the most I can take. I'm so grateful for having about 15 days and evenings where I can sit normally to watch TV or read, not having to be lying down. So I encourage any people with transformed migraines to ask your doctor about trying it. I forgot to mention that I can finally get REM sleep now. No more Ambien."

• Lol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 9, 2016

"I was prescribed this medication for neuropathic pain, widespread head-to-toe muscle and skin pain (allodynia), and vulvodynia. This medication did nothing to ease my pain, it just made me feel horrible. My hands and feet were burning with pain just as bad as before the medication, and I remained as sick as I was. I had disturbing nightmares with it every single night, and daytime fatigue. Then I was prescribed Imipramine 50mg, a similar medication, also a tricyclic. Wow, did it take a lot of my pain away. I felt like a human again, also, I slept like a baby without having to worry about nightmares, and my bladder burning pain and urgency completely diminished. I highly advise anyone with severe pain to try Imipramine. It saved my life big time."

• sma...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 6, 2019

Amitriptyline "I started this drug as a migraine prevention treatment, beginning with 10 mg and moving up to 50. I also have fibromyalgia. This medication did not help me whatsoever with the migraines or the fibro. Thankfully, it does help with insomnia, but I was really super disappointed that I didn't get any headache relief. It also makes me feel stupid because I'm constantly hungover and tired during the day."

• nei...
• February 5, 2010

"I recently had a neck injury which caused the nerve to the left arm to be damaged. I used 300mg Lyrica and 50mg of amitriptyline, at first, and then increased to 100mg at night, to help with the pain and allow me to get to sleep. I went off the Lyrica after 4 months but have chosen to stay on the amitriptyline. The bonus that I experienced with using amitriptyline was that for the first time in over 20 years I was able to get more than 4 hours of sleep per night. This has changed my life dramatically as I have energy that I haven't experienced in many years and I wake up fully rested and ready to meet the day."

• pos...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 14, 2015

"Elavil has been used by orthopedic surgeons for neck and back patients for over 40 years. I believed then and now it is to relieve the patient from depressive symptoms while helping with relief of nerve pain, neuropathy, which pain meds cannot. I take it for post-operative cervical disc fusion that causes neuropathy."

• Jul...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 2, 2017

"I started taking 10 mg of amitriptyline in December of 2015 when I was diagnosed with interstitial cystitis. It takes away the constant sharp burning pain I was having along with the constant urge to urinate. Once in a while, I will have a flare-up of symptoms, but even then, my pain is very minimal. The only side effects I've noticed are that it makes me drowsy in the first few hours of taking my dose. The first month or two of taking it, I would experience extremely vivid nightmares, but those have subsided to simply being vivid dreams some of the time. I've also noticed that if I forget to take it one night, I have difficulty falling asleep and some anxiety similar to the feeling of drinking a little too much coffee, which is tolerable."

• Hun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 29, 2015

"I went to see my doctor about restless legs at night, which is quite painful. She prescribed 25 mg at night before bed. It was working well... no pain. However, I fell over a couple of times, which I thought was odd but didn't set any alarms off. I began to feel stiff and unable to bend over to pick things up. I was afraid I would hurt myself, not realizing this was the drug. I figured this is what happens when you are close to 50. The worst side effect was the weight gain. I was on the drug for 3.5 months and gained 30 lbs. Once again, I figured it was because I was getting older. So, the drug certainly helped my leg pain... but altered my body to look like the pilsner dough girl."

• Gli...
• May 8, 2015

"I was put on amitriptyline 25 mg at Mayo Clinic in 1983. After a thorough workup, they thought I had MS, but then gave the diagnosis of neuropathy pain. At this time, I'm taking 50 mg at bedtime, which has been the only thing that works. I'm able to sleep without pain. Now I just tried to refill the prescription, and the cost is $219.00 for 180 pills. The last time filled was 12/2014, $16.00 for 180 pills. Even though this is a generic, why the higher cost? Just can't afford it anymore. Don't know what I'm going to do. Have tried Tegretol, Cymbalta, and many others, NOTHING ELSE WORKS."

• moo...
• December 12, 2009

Amitriptyline "After a car accident a year ago and having horrible life-disrupting headaches every day, I finally got prescribed Elavil at 25mg once before bed. It has improved most of my headaches, and I sleep like a champ... all the time! The only downfalls are I sleep more now than ever, and I have gained 15 lbs. I almost think I'd rather have headaches than gain this weight."

• Daw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 4, 2017

"Upped dose from 5 mg to 10 mg and again was scared. Still no signs of pain relief, but it has only been about 6 days since starting. As for side effects - a bit of a dry mouth and slight grogginess for an hour. Nothing that I can't deal with. The dry mouth only lasts for ten minutes. Not sure what if I will have to increase dose, but so far, so good."

• car...
• February 14, 2017

"I have suffered with post-surgery (heart valve replacement) nerve pain for over a year. Nothing helped. I have only been on this drug for 10 days, and I can sleep, and I'm also beginning to feel better. I am hoping as time goes on, over the next 2 weeks, I will see more improvement."