Amitriptyline As Pain Control

[douglas9401]

One wonders what the panel thinks of the idea of a patient doubling the prescribed dose of the above (10mg in the evening) to have another in the morning.
Currently being used as pain relief augmentation with paracetamol and ibuprofen for moderate to screaming back pain and associated stuff in the buttocks and left leg.
Codeine's off the menu after some rather disturbing, err, blockage issues and frankly not looking at the pain.
I note that it can take weeks in some cases for Amitriptylene to take effect but wonder if there's any harm in moving things along slightly.
Drowsiness and driving not an issue as I have a kept woman able to transport me. :)

[Mamyalynne]

Well, it is a marvellous drug when it works but can have some unpleasant side effects which of course may increase with dose.

My Mum had terrible hallucinations with them.

I understand about the Codeine, I have to take a senna with them and when mine was bad ended up on Tramadol too.

Hope someone better equipped can advise re upping your dosage.

[gingejbee]

Not an answer to your question, but....when I was waiting for back surgery (major disc prolapse and associated nerve-root "sciatic" pain), the only thing that kept me sane was maximum dose of diclofenac. Nothing else worked.

[Sqad]

Well, if you are going down the amytriptylene route, then 20 mogms at night and 10 mgms in the morning seems fine to me....modest even.

On a personal note, I would have replaced the amytriptylene with Pregalin........but in answer to your question and has your GP has suggested that regime, then I would go with your suggestion.
Is it acute sciatica that you are dealing with?

[NoMercy]

I've know Amitriptyline used as a neuropathic pain block in doses of up to 200mg.

[Sqad]

I like the idea of gingejbee of Diclofenac (Voltarol) particularly Voltarol SR (sustained release).
I'm going to bed now......

[NoMercy]

Buenas noches, mi Corazon ;-)

[bednobs]

10 mg is not a pain-relieving dose normally. I like sqad's suggestion of pregabalin

[douglas9401]

Thanks all. It's being called sciatica by the GP, not sure if that's from the same playbook as 'it's a virus' but we are where we are.
As far as I can work out the initial damage was done making an awkward lift, the resulting 'twinge' getting progressively worse until I couldn't get out of bed two days later.
I'm signed off (for the first time in my life) till 24/8 and have a scan appointment at our shiny new Jubilee Hospital on the 25th (joined up working).
In the meantime I'm attending a local chiropractor with a good reputation in the area until I can track down the man who repaired me 20+ years ago. Next appointment tomorrow at 3, fingers crossed for a wee smile after. :)

[Mamyalynne]

Hope so Douglas,

[douglas9401]

Ta. :)