HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Amitriptylene takers beware

Support Forums
>
Chronic Pain
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 5/27/2009 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

Just a friendly warning from your burnt-to-a-crisp friend: beware of sun exposure if you are on amitriptylene!

Yes, it says that increased sensitivity to sunlight is a side effect of the medication (and I actually do read these things before I start something), but I, happy about a nice warm, sunny day, forgot. I spent several hours outside planting my veggie garden. The garden happens to be next to our pool & as it was a hot day, I was wearing my bathing suit, so I could jump in the frigid water when I got too hot. I never felt like I was burning (I usually do feel these things), and I wasn't wearing sun screen because I almost never get any sunburn where I live & I wasn't planning on being out as long as I was. I should have known better.

Came inside after I was finished, and when I was showering, noticed that my back was "slightly" burned.
By the evening though, oh boy. I have NEVER been burnt this badly in my life, except once when I was way down south & there was a fault in the sun screen I was using (kept feeling like I was burning & I kept putting more & more on, and it did nothing, turns out it was a bad/recalled batch).

Really, my back looks like a lobster. Or worse.. smhair And it hurts like, well, you know. Just what we need right? Another source of pain!

So, I just want to make sure that everyone knows the danger of amitriptylene + sun. I'm probably over reacting, as I'm sure my pastey-whiteness contributed too. But I really, really don't want anyone to have to go through what I went through, so wear that sun screen!
For reference, I am taking 75 mg.

Skeye turn

Post Edited (skeye) : 5/26/2009 8:14:20 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/27/2009 3:38 AM (GMT 0)
As kids befor e the use of sunscreens we use to have tepid baths with a cup of vinegar in them . It helps take the sting out of the burn. Old southern hemisphere recipe for burned skin!!! You poor thing, its so long since I was last burned but I still remember the pain!!! Hope you feel better soon, drink lots of fluids too, best wishes, golitho.
Posted 5/27/2009 4:01 AM (GMT 0)
I am soooooooooo very sorry that happened to you. Luckily that never happened to me when I was taking elavil, but I'm glad you posted it as a warning for others to be alert. Thanks.

Feel better soon! Hope it goes away fast without too much blistering too. Poor dear.

Lindaloo
Posted 5/27/2009 6:34 AM (GMT 0)
Skeye,
It's probably a good reminder for all of us - even if we're not on a medication, although I'm sad you ended up serving as an example in such a painful way!

Does aloe help soothe you at all? I used to burn horribly for awhile as a kid, until sunscreens started coming out, and when I'd visit my parents in Florida someone showed me how to cut an aloe plant and use it to directly soothe. Beats the stuff you buy in the store.

I hope you heal from the burn quickly!

((((((((((((Skeye))))))))))))

PaLady
Posted 5/27/2009 1:25 PM (GMT 0)
That is some serious pain too.  Sunburns are horrible.  You can't move, you can't sleep.  Thanks for this reminder.  It is a good time of year to remember sunscreen and hats anyway.

I hope you are feeling better soon.

Posted 5/27/2009 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
Skeye, I am so sorry that you are sunburned so badly. I know how much that hurts. Bless your heart. I also take elavil but haven't had a sunburn on it yet. Could be b/c I am not in the sun very much. I can't stand to be hot!lol You have been given some good advice. The vinegar and the aloe are both wonderful to use. I do hope you are able to get some relief soon. You can put the vinegar in a squirt bottle and add a small amt of water and spray it on you. It does help. The smell is not the greatest. But who cares about the smell when something works!! And the aloe is wonderful too. I hope you feel better soon. Sending you very soft hugs.

((((((((((skeye)))))))))))

Anice
Posted 5/27/2009 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
sunburns hurt like crazy. I remember once when I was 16 I went to a tanning salon with a friend and she let me use her tanning lotion and it had the word "fire" in the name, but I kept slathering it on, and I tanned for 15 minutes and about an hour afterwards the pain hit, I was blistered and peeling like crazy, and I didnt sleep for several days afterwards....I havent been tanning since and I'm always sure to wear strong sunblock in the sun cause now I have a fear of that happening again. The blisters where huge and all over my body, I probably should of went the hospital but I didnt, I just learned my lesson, and especailly learned to not use lotion that has the word "fire" on it lol.

hellokitty
Posted 5/27/2009 10:26 PM (GMT 0)
That sun relfecting off the water was like adding fuel to the fire. I never burn anymore but I do know what the relfection can do-oh and you are really white, bad combination to say the least. Back in the days when I did burn was on the overcast days, really cooked a time or two. The vinegar bath is an excellent old south recipe,lol and it works on putting out the fire. Had alot of those baths as a kid from frying at the pool. Never use sunblock/lotion left over from the previous year either. Once the sunning season is done I throw it all out, forces me to buy new the next year. Take care of that skin. Susie
Posted 5/28/2009 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for all the hugs & suggestions!! I can definitely use them both! I am definitely going to try the vinegar when get home tomorrow night! I don't have a bathtub (or vinegar) where I am at the moment, but I do have both at home. Aloe is also great. I actually have 3 huge aloe plants at home and I stupidly forgot to bring some branches with me (although I remembered to put it on the dog's ear turn). I bought some "pure" aloe gel at the store yesterday, but PAlady is right. It isn't the same. Hopefully tomorrow I start to feel a little better, no such luck today.

hugs,
Skeye
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply