Amitriptyline

[shaneystar2]

Has anyone any experience of taking this drug ?
The pain management clinic have recommended that I take a low dose for severe arthritic/rheumatoid pain .
However my GP is reluctant to prescribe it .The side effects that he explained to me were quite scary and he said I'd have to have an ECG and blood tests first anyway. He didn't exactly refuse to prescribe it but said he wouldn't be doing his job properly if he didn't point out the side effects .
I've read some reviews on line and a lot of them say it's awful stuff.
Shall I throw caution to the wind and take it or KBO ,gritting my teeth :)

[black_cat51]

KBO?

[Sqad]

\\\\The pain management clinic have recommended that I take a low dose for severe arthritic/rheumatoid pain .\\\

The key phrase is "low dose."

Observing many of your threads over the years, i assume that you are not getting adequate pain relief from conventional painkillers.

If that IS the case, then i would certainly give amitryptiline a trial and no, i would not have an ECG or blood tests before.

Yes...I would throw caution to the wind and no, i have not had experience in taking the drug.

[ladyalex]

Amitryptiline has been on the market and used for many decades now.
Unless there has been some recent evidence of side effects etc, I think your GP is being very cautious.
In 'normal' doses it is an antidepressant but in low doses it is a very effective pain relief drug. Side effects are usually drowsiness and dry mouth, possibly constipation.
I jave not taken it personally but have knowledge of people who have taken it to goos effect and without incident for both depressive illness (normal dose) and pain relief (low dose).
You must be guided by your own doctors, but if it were me I'd place more weight on the pain management team....unless. i had a good reason not to.
All the best .

[ladyalex]

^ 'have' and 'good'

KBO = Keep B*ggering On

[crapmemory]

I have been taking Amitriptyline 10mg tablets for almost 3 years. (I take one tablet a day.) They were prescribed by a consultant at my local hospital after my GP sent me to see her about my migraines. They have definitely helped as my migraines have lessened in frequency and pain. In addition, I had to have an ECG and blood tests for something else and they both came back as normal. :)

[boxtops]

Yes - I took it for too many years, mostly to do with anxiety and depression. It worked for me - but I'd give you a caveat - you don't want to plan to take it long term, although as sqad says, low dose under medical supervision may well be fine.

Bear in mind that GPs can't be expert in everything, where your local pain clinic ought to be.

[flump1]

I would try a low dose Shaney, I have been taking it and it helps me at night. I have regular blood checks done but I don't remember any issue with Amytriptyline being mentioned.

[Kathyan]

I am on 55mg of amitriptyline and the only side effect I've had is a dry mouth, but that is getting better. I get a good nights sleep though so I'll put up with it!

[China Doll]

I'm not clinical but seen my consultant (paediatrician) prescribe this at a low dose for chronic fatigue and/or unexplained symptoms patients suffering with pain. It does seem to help them. These afe usually adolescent patients.

[Bulbarra]

A doctor gave me 10mg of Amitriptyline in January of 2013. This was for sleep problems brought on by a case of shingles. I did get a few nights' reasonable sleep, but wasn't happy taking them as they can become addictive. In fact searching through my medicine chest I found a couple of tablets I hadn't use which I'll now dump. I would add, I still don't sleep too well. Having said all that, perhaps a low dose would help with your arthritis.

[woofgang]

the bloke who does my decoration and household stuff has been on it ever since I have known him which is about 15 years. He used to be a shop fitter and electrician but had a bad fall and injured his back. he was left in a great deal of pain and had to stop work. He was prescribed amytriptyline for the pain and says its a miracle. he went self employed and says he never looked back. He is busier now than when he did shop fitting.
Its not uncommon to take it for pain and the success rate is high.

[shaneystar2]

Thanks everyone for your kind and helpful answers .
I think I'll go back and see him and give it a trial run .Can't be any worse than having to load up with 800mg Ibroprufen just to get to the High Street and back,a five minute walk.
I'm not fond of popping pills but needs must now as my mobility has become very bad .

[woofgang]

an interesting website Shaney
http://painconcern.org.uk/amitriptyline/

[shaneystar2]

Thanks for that Woofy ,very interesting .

[Eve]

I've been on it a few times, can't ever remember having had to have tests before like that but maybe it's a newer thing.

If a low dose then I'd go for it. It can make you drowsy though, especially on higher doses but pain wise, if it works and gives you better sleep and less pain then all good. It helped my migraines too while I was on it.

I came off it some years back after a GP put an extra zero on the amount for my prescription accidentally and it wasn't noticed until I ended up back there like a zombie and about to lose the plot (lots going on other than that too) and they spotted the mistake.

ECG is very quick though, I had my last one done in the GP surgery by one of the healthcare assistants then they seemed to transmit it through to the hospital while she was talking to them on the phone. Only took about 10 minutes I think.

[Scarlett]

Drowsy and dry mouth doesn't sound too bad, but my experience of it was complete room-spinning weirdness, and I lost my sense of humour. I felt numb. not like me at all. And the extreme dizziness meant I couldn't do my job of teaching children. I couldn't have even crossed the road. That said, I stopped taking it after 3 days so you probably have to give it longer!

[shaneystar2]

Thanks ladies for your feedback .That's terrible Eve .Zombie feeling is a route I definitely don't want to go down !
Having the blood tests and ECG don't bother me as they've drawn plenty of blood out of me over the years and I had an ECG when I was diagnosed with underactive thyroid .I just don't get why he thinks I have to have these tests first before he'll give me the gubbins .
Room-spinning weirdness doesn't sound good either Scarlett. I'm enough of a dizzy dame already ....lol.
I am getting tremendous help from the occupational therapy people though who have made good suggestions as to how to make life easier and I may be able to have some acupuncture and physio ,so there are lots of options to consider other than drugs .
I'm going to have to give this some serious thought .

[Greedyfly]

I have had this drug prescribed a few times for a few different problems and an safely say I was lucky not to have any side effects but was unlucky enough to have no effect from it at all. I know a fair few people who take this successfully with no notable side effects. But everyone is different and reacts differently.

[kvalidir]

My brother took it as he had bizarre super painful headaches which they thought it might help with, but actually didn't. Whilst he took it he suffered lack of co-ordination, vagueness, exhaustion and a few other nasty things but to be honest once he'd come of them he continued to suffer these, so clearly they were linked to his neurological problem rather than the drug itself.

[shaneystar2]

Thanks both . I'm still dithering about whether to take it or not !