I was diagnosed with MS 5 years ago and have been on Pregablin which has helped with the pins and needles and tingling. My condition is relatively mild but I suffer really painful, heavy, achy legs and at the base of my back. I also suffer insomnia which is sometimes worse because of my burning twitchy legs! I am constantly fatigued because of this. I saw my Neuro 2 weeks ago and he has suggested starting Amytriptylene at a low doseage to start at nighttime to see if this helps but I’m a bit apprehensive with all the side effects. I was on Mitrazapine for 6 months which didn’t help and managed to put on a stone in weight which I am only just starting to lose now.
Any personal experiences with Amytriptylene or advice would be much appreciated x
I’ve taken Amitriptyline for several years now. It’s definitely a good drug for burning, tingling (why does that word have such positive connotations?) legs and feet.
The advice I was given to avoid an Amitriptyline hangover is to take it a good couple of hours before you go to bed. That way, it’s out of your system by the time you get up. This works in my opinion.
You should start on a very low dose, 10mg is the usual starting dose. If you find you can tolerate that, but the symptoms continue, then try increasing it.
I currently take about 40mg, starting at 10mg at about 3pm, 20mg at 8ish and 10mg when I go to bed at about 10pm. But I’ve increased it very slowly over years.
can’t remember the dose I was on, was almost 10 years ago, but I hated it. your mileage may vary. did nothing for pain/tingling/burning. even taking at night I was still a zombie all day and it caused me to talk in my sleep it works for a lot of people, I am not one of those people tho
i have taken various does from 10 to 50. i had very dry mouth next day but the was less if i took it at 6pm. i have not taken any for 5 yrs but it took me several months to reduce and stop it safely and practised meditation instead. i am aware thats not for everybody but i persevered cos i thought it was worth it-and it is! if required it something i will take again.
Hi, I weaned myself off Amitryptyline about 2 months ago because i decided i didn’t need it. Im going to start taking it again because my nighttime symptoms have increased. It gave me funny dreams but i slept well and a good nights sleep is so important. Good luck with it xx
I’ve been taking Amytriptyline for at least 2 years. I currently take 20mg or 30 if I feel I need it.
The side effects I’ve experienced are the vivid dreams- initially I was amazed at how vivid and realistic my dreams were.
To be honest I enjoyed them but I know some people felt uncomfortable with that.
With the Amytriptyline hangover, initially I did feel a bit monged out in the mornings but not too bad. This is easily overcome by taking them earlier in the evening, discover it through trial and error.
Without them I have difficulty sleeping. I have the MS hug so my left chest is in permanent spasm and some spasticicity in my left leg. I often need to pee during the night and the Amytriptyline allows me to get back to sleep, without it I’m unable to get back to sleep. I also take Baclofen 10mg every night.
Hi - I have been taking it practically since I got diagnosed - so around 4 yrs. I take 30mg to 50mg depending on my discomfort. Like some others I have vivid dreams which do seem very real sometimes - but it helps with the pain which obviously helps me sleep. So I feel it is worth it.
As others say give it a go & see how you get on. xx
I hadn’t realised that people were finding they had vivid dreams with Amitriptyline. I’ve had incredibly realistic dreams over the last couple of years (at least) and I’d not tied together the two things.
So maybe that’s been affecting me. Mostly I’ve enjoyed them, a couple I really haven’t, but it’s been very realistic. So much so that the feelings sometimes stay with me all day.
Barts are advising patients to stop this drug, I loved it and it really helped but have come off on there advice. If you look at the blog barts ms and search the drug the reasons are listed.im still unsure if the benefits out way the risk as i also felt happier on it as well as sleeping soundly with less symptoms.
I think it’s all a matter of risk versus benefits. If there is another drug that will have similar effects, then it would it seems, be better to come off Amitriptyline. However, if the is no suitable alternative, then maybe the benefits outweigh the risks.
I hadn’t read the Barts blog info about anticholinergics before, it’s definitely worth considering though, I think I’ll have to have a bit of a rethink, and maybe try Duloxetin instead. The problem for me will be whether my liver will like Duloxetin!! It has a habit of disliking change.
Ive been trying to look for the Barts blog but I think they’ve stopped it temporarily. I’ve also searched for any new warnings re Amitriptyline to no avail…what exactly did it say? Xx
After a four year wait I have recently been diagnosed with progressive ms spinal cord phenotype. Today I was fitted with FES (for foot drop) but I am finding it really uncomfortable/painful but it does help with my walking. Is it just a case of getting used to the strong vibrations? I have one electrode on my lower leg and one behind my knee to make my knee lift. Can anyone offer any advice please?
Sue, you’ve joined in a thread about the drug Amitriptyline so you’re question will get “lost” in it. You’ll get a better response if you post your question and start a new thread. Top of the page to the left hand side.
it works for a lot of people, I am not one of those people tho