New neurologist, amitriptyline

I met with my new neurologist from Cov & Warks Hospital today, after being kicked out from the QE B’ham for not living in the right postcode, after they changed the boundaries!

Very pleased with apt today, but had to run through my ms life story as no details had been passed from the QE yet! I will be having an MRI in approx 2 weeks, which will be good, as it’s been 7 years since my last one and as my syptoms are becoming more prevelant, it would be interesting to see what changes there are.

Just wondered if anyone was taking amitrptyline? I have been perscribed 20mg to be taken at night, about an hour before bedtime, although he did say I could increase it o 50mg if it wasnt having much affect. My neuro think the new meds will help with the painful head spasms and the numbness and tingling in my right arm. Any thoughts?

hi,yes amitryptiline is great. I started on 10mg about 5 years ago for the same tingling/pins and needles but in my foot. They worked well. Since then I progressed to 50mg when I got bad nerve pain in my arm. At the minute I am back down to 10mg (I did try not taking it at all, but pain started creeping back in so I went back to10mg). Another thing when I wasn’t taking it was I couldn’t sleep, and when I was on 50mg I was almost comatose! Hope they help you

Lynne x

I have been on amitriptyline for about six or seven months and it does help. I started on a low dose and worked up for 50mg at night, at first I felt dreadful on it and it affected my sleep (kept me awake! so I took it earlier in the evening about 7pm) but this settled down over a few days and now I take it when I go to bed. I have sensory pain and pins and needles and it definitely helps with that, doesn’t make it go away but definitely dulls it, I have gone down to 40mg and sometimes take 30mg if I’m feeling ok, I do notice the difference though.

Hope it works for you, and if you feel rough and the beginning it is worth persevering for a while, it can take 2-3 weeks to take effect.

Where do you live then if you have been kicked out of the QE?

John

I have just read the box of the amitriptyline and the note on it from the chemist and it says DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL. Really, forever and ever???

I just love a glass or two of he red stuff on a Friday and Saturday, after a long week at School.

I have just read the box of the amitriptyline and the note on it from the chemist and it says DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL. Really, forever and ever???

I just love a glass or two of he red stuff on a Friday and Saturday, after a long week at School.

I have just read the box of the amitriptyline and the note on it from the chemist and it says DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL. Really, forever and ever???

I just love a glass or two of he red stuff on a Friday and Saturday, after a long week at School.

Hi, I have taken amitriptyline now for about 3 months. Take 20mg at night and still have my wine, good luck with it, Chis

Hi, I have taken amitriptyline now for about 3 months. Take 20mg at night and still have my wine, good luck with it, Chis

Hi, I think amitriptyline is a super drug. i`ve been on it for 12 yrs or so, for nerve pain.

I began with 20mg and got up to 100mg, before it zapped the pain good and proper. I am now on 75mg at night.

It did give me lovely 10 hours sleep.

Now it doesn`t help me sleep, but it does keep those nasty pains away.

luv Pollx

Hi ive been on amitriptyline 25mg for 12 years for nerve pain.They are still wonderful and i couldnt do without them.The only time i dont have them is when i have a drink and thats only once a week.I did try it once but never again.

Kim

Hi I have been taking amitriptyline for a while. I started with 10 mg but it didn’t help. My nuro has slowly increased it to 75 mg which has really helped. I have a better night sleep. Hope it helps you too. Sheron

Ive only been on it a matter of weeks,I did have the dose trippled by my doctor and I think it needs upping again.It does help but at the moment I dont think my dose is right and needs to be increased again.BUT I dont mind some pain,I can cope with it,but I do take painkillers that have been recommended by my GP.

If after a few weeks you dont feel its working ring your GP and they can increse your dosage.

I dont drink on my meds but I have never been a drinker anyway.

Just be aware to read the leaflet that comes with your meds,I ran out of painkillers and I asked my niece if she had any of the same.She brought me some,but for two days I felt terrible,I then checked the painkillers they were NOT the same as I was prescribed.I learned a valuable lesson.

Charlie,x

Hello Everyone,

I’m a new to the forum diagnosed yesterday with M.S. Been reading comments on the forum all very interesting and helpful and it’s given me a sense of relief in a strange sort of way. Cant post much as yet, early days, my medications not yet sorted apart from one I have been given , awaiting appointment to see another consultant to sort any others I need. Amitriptyline as been perscribed 10mg a day for 2weeks then 20mg a day there on, comments on this drugs seem quite positive from you all. Just to say Hello to All and thankyou for your imput and knowledge for whats ahead. XX Christine.

Hello Christine and welcome to the forum and fellow MSers and most of all friends who understand.

Charlie,x

Hi Sallum, I live in your area too, my consultant is from uni hospital Coventry! I have been on amiltriptilyne for three years. I came off by choice as I thought weight gain was a side effect but soon after I got a lot of the itching and the crawling sensation back again so went back on it. I was literally scratching welts into my skin and bruised myself by rUbbing my itches that were caused by nerve sensations. I know now I could not be without this drug as it relieves my symptoms to almost non-existant.

Hi all, I have been on amitryptiline or however you spell it! For about 3 years to help with leg pains. It gives me a great nights sleep and I think it also lifts your mood, all good. The down side of taking it for me is dry eyes and mouth and constipation but these are out weighed by the benefits. I have 75mg and I sometimes have the odd glass of wine or cider with it. Living dangerously! Ellie

I’ve been taking 50mg Amitriptyline for about 10 years as a migraine preventitive. I didn’t know it was used as a painkiller. It is used as an anti-deporessant, isn’t it?

I don’t drink much but I have always taken it when I have been drinking.

hi, i take 20mg of amitriptyline at night (along with other stuff!) have been doing for a while, whether it works or not i’m not sure, sometimes i stop taking things to see if it makes a difference. hoping to be put on some disease modifying drugs again soon, had them about 5 years ago when i was first diognosed but only took them for 5 weeks, injecting every day got me down, can’t wait to see if the new tablet will be available. i had a second mri recently , didn’t really tell me anything new. the amitriptyline should help to relax muscles, it helps me stay a bit calmer! sue