Amitriptyline

when.will.it.end · 11-12-2014, 10:41 PM

Hello all!

Does anyone have any experience of this medication for insomnia or otherwise? What dose were you on? Was it helpful? Were there any side effects?

Thanks x

Tig · 12-12-2014, 12:20 AM

Hi Katie,

I was on it a long time ago and am now on nortriptyline which is supposed to work in a similar way to amitriptyline.

They do have slightly different ways of working but I thought I'd make a reply just in case it's of any help as I know that this type of medication can be quite generic but at the same time everyone is different!

I am on a low dose for pain but it was hoped that it would help my insomnia. Unfortunately for me it hasn't so far (the insomnia) but I am incredibly treatment-resistant it appears and also as I said, on a low dose.

Side effects wise I have found that I get a very dry mouth and often wake up with a sore throat because of how dry my mouth is so I'd definitely advise drinking plenty.
I did unfortunately get quite bad constipation as well (sorry!!) and I imagine this is related to how it can dry things out so again, drink plenty.

Other than that though, it wasn't as bad as I had feared for side effects.

From what I remember, these experiences were much the same when I was on amitriptyline but I was on a high dose as it was used as an anti-depressant for me.

x

Ballerina123 · 12-12-2014, 01:07 PM

I use to get a great sleep on it. I liked it. Can't remember what dose I was on sorry.

Emmabob. · 12-12-2014, 10:50 PM

I was prescribed it for sleep and genuinely think it was gonna send me hypo :|

Crazy Cat Lady · 13-12-2014, 06:40 PM

I've been on Amitriptyline for 2 weeks now; and was started on 50mg. It has certainly helped me to sleep although hasn't done much for my pain yet. I find it makes me very drowsy in the morning, I'm hoping this subsides.

Let me know if you want to know anything else.

K x

Steel Maiden · 13-12-2014, 08:20 PM

Amitriptyline is pretty sedating and can also cause quite strong antimuscarinic effects, one of which is constipation. I was nearly put on it for migraines but as I was on clomipramine for OCD at the time they obviously couldn't trial me on it.

when.will.it.end · 13-12-2014, 10:14 PM

Thanks for the replies.

I'm only on 20mg which from what I gather is a low dose but doc said it could be upped. It's not done anything for me sedation wise so far but we'll see.

Tig · 14-12-2014, 01:55 AM

I hope it will work for you soon Katie :)