Taking 10mg at night. Not anymore a zombie the next day whether I take it or not. Helps to ease the heaviness, soreness and some little spasms I get in my joints at night. Can make it easier walking the next day, but I’ve given up taking it at the moment until I see my GP again.
Nortriptyline is a completely different drug that does the same job. Very much like aspirin and ibuprofen- in the same family of drugs, that do the same thing but works differenty bio wise. So one might work better for you than the other.
I saw my Neuro yesterday and have been advised to start this for pain/ heaviness in my legs and insomnia. I’m already on Pregablin 200mg which I tolerate well but I’m worried about the side effects of Amytriptylene- especially the zombie feeling and weight gain. I stopped Mitrazapine 6 weeks ago as it made no difference and I was constantly hungry and gained 1 and half stone in 6 months! I have gastro problems as well and worried it might make that worse? My Neuro says I will know within the 1st week if it will agree with me- is that long enough? The tiredness and pain in my legs put me off exercise but should I try pushing through this before risking more drugs? Any thoughts?
I take 40mg of Amitriptyline per day. It works for me, the way to take it is
a) start on a low dose, ie 10mg
b) take it early in the evening rather than just before you go to bed, so by about 8pm. This way you avoid any ‘hangover’ type side effects the next day
c) increase it very slowly if 10mg isn’t doing the job.
It should help with nerve pain of the burning type. It should also help you sleep a little better.
I’ve never had any gastric problems with it, and although I’m a good bit fatter than I’d like to be, that’s got more to do with immobility and disability than a drug reaction.
Chances are that if you manage to reduce the neurological pain and sleep a bit better, you’ll feel more like doing exercise. So if I were you, start the Amitriptyline, then start the exercise regime. Believe me, you should get going with exercise as soon as you are able. It doesn’t take long without exercise for muscles to start getting weaker, and that’s the route to greater disability.
Thanks for your reply… I started the Amytriptylene about a month ago on 10mg a night. Felt really good, happy, good sleep and only a little pain.
I upped the doseage to 20mg as advised by the Doctor about a week and a half ago and feel dreadful. Initially when I take it a few hours before bed I feel great and getting a good nights sleep but the next day I feel awful. Can’t wake up, aches in my arms and legs much worse than before, feel shaky all over and feel my head is on another planet. Can’t organise my thoughts and seem distracted all of the time.
Cant go on like this so I’m going to to reduce it back to 10mg and see how I go… tried to persevere but do you think the side effects should of settled down by now? Even typing this is making me feel dizzy!!!
Persevered with 30mg for 4 weeks and symptoms settling down a little. I am also slowly getting over the Tiredness. So… Might be worth slowly building up slowly. I did previously post a comment saying that they are not for me but not so sure now.
maybe start with 10mg for 4-6 weeks and see how you feel then increase to 20, etc slowly.