Amitriptyline Alternatives

[khaleesi]

Because it's affecting my vision, I've got to discontinue taking amitriptyline for depression and sleep problems. I know its a bit of a long shot, but can anyone suggest any alternatives that i can ask my doctor to prescribe me please. I really liked the fact that this helped me fall asleep at night, and also kept my mood up, as opposed to antidepressants that solely just help my mood,

[Buenchico]

Possibly worth a read:
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Antidepressant-drugs/Pages/Introduction.aspx

However your GP might decide that it's a good time to try to get you off medication altogether, perhaps via a course of CBT.

[gingejbee]

...and I think that GPs don't like patients telling them what to prescribe....it's their job to offer alternatives.

[woofgang]

gingelbee, I think that went out the window when Patient launched.
https://patient.info
People certainly can’t insist on what is prescribed but its certainly not uncommon (and a good idea IMO) to do your research and go in with suggestions/questions. GP’s who don’t like it will need to learn to live with it.

[khaleesi]

Thanks for posting that woofgang. My gp always asks me what i'd like to do when it comes to my mental health (been struggling on and off with it for nearly ten years now). As it affects people in such different ways, i think its hard for a doctor to choose a pill when there are so many different ones out there, especially when they only have a ten minute appointment to diagnose and presribe.
Thanks for the advice and link chris. I was planning not to go back onto them after i stopped taking the amitriptyline 4 days ago, but after today i am going to need something. A bit gutted really. If the world was filled with people like you and woofgang i wouldn't need them.

[gingejbee]

Woofgang...although a good GP will ask a patient how they would like/expect their treatment to progress, they wouldn't expect a patient to arrive with a list of medications, saying that they would like to try drug X and/or drug Z.
GPs (under their own admission) aren't necessarily the best people to choose specific medications for mental health problems. Mental health professionals are much better equipped to choose medications and adjust doses to suit the individual patient/condition.
My views come from personal experience of my OH.

[Patsy33]

Hi Khaleesi, I used to take them about 10 years ago. I used to have night terrors on them. I actually saw people in my bedroom,! Scary stuff. Obviously had to come off them about a year. Shame really, apart from that I felt quite good on them. I was eventually put on Mertazapine, which gauranteed me sleeping at night. They worked quite well but a lot of people pile the pounds on. Hope you can find something to suit you soon.

[khaleesi]

Hi patsy, i'm the complete opposite to you. I was put on these, as the escitalopram that i'd been on for over a year was causing me to have really horrible nightmares (never saw people in my room though, i cant imagine what that must have been like for you) Although i felt like crap for the first ten days, the amitriptyline really helped me to fall into a natural sleep, and i would wake up feeling really good and generally speaking, stay like that all day.
I was prescribed mirtazapine yesterday too, but i've been told to discontinue use after a night of throwing up on them. Getting a bit feed up wth all this now.

[Patsy33]

Hi Kahleesi, aww that's a shame Mertazapine didn't suit you. What strength were they? as I couldn't take anymore than 15mg, didn't suit on higher dose. I'm sure there is similar ones out there to suit you. It's just trial and error I'm afraid. Don't get too down about it, you'll get there....x

[trt]

## Because it's affecting my vision, I've got to discontinue taking amitriptyline for depression and sleep problems. ##

Hi Khaleesi,

How is it effecting your vision, and was it your choice to discontinue, how old are you?

[alphacentaurus]

If the GP wont prescribe anything you could try St Johns Wort (for depression). Vogels is a good buy.
5HTP should help you to sleep.

[Cloverjo]

Maybe try Fluoxetine for the depression and something like Nightol for the sleeplessness.

[cybil2403]

Not knowing your personal situation you're possibly in a vicious cycle. Because you're not getting the sleep you need, you're becoming tired and depressed. It could be your GP is prescribing Amitriptyline for a side effect use, as it makes you drowsy therefore helping you sleep. Amitriptyline is known as a 'dirty drug' due to all the side effects, next time you see your GP, ask him if he would take it himself or prescribe to his family!! There is an alternative drug to Circadin, which helps get your melatonin cycle back into its natural cycle. There are no side effects nor is it addictive. Something to consider. Good luck

[khaleesi]

Thank you so much for all your kind words and support. I did only take 15mg patsy : -( Even if it didn't make me sick, i really don't think it would have been right for me as i slept so much the next day. After my body got used to the amitriptyline the backs of my eyes would start hurting - as if someone were pushing against them every night, about an hour before i was due to take it. After a couple of weeks, one night, again just before i was about to take it, my vision went how it does after you spin around alot. I called the 111 service and the doctor told me to stop taking it and go back to my gp. Which is when i was prescribed the mirtazapine. Again, it was a doctor from the 111 service that told me to stop taking it after it made me sick, and to go back and see my gp for some different anti-depressants.
I haven't been back yet, and i've actually done quite well this week not being on anything. I think imma give alphacentaurus and cybil's advice a go as. Thank you so much for those suggestions, they really do seem good

[khaleesi]

@ trt i'm 27