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Elavil for FM, migraines, and depression?

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 10/22/2008 2:08 AM (GMT 0)
So... my doctor prescibed me Elavil for all my pains and issues I've been having. Has anyone tried this? What are the side effects? She has me starting on a low dose, like 5 mg, but is going to try to up it to 50 eventually. I'm going to take my first dose tonight, and I'm a little apprehensive. Can you share your experiences with me? Thanks a bunch!
Posted 10/22/2008 2:29 AM (GMT 0)
Hi garnetstar!

I've tried this med before and it's nothing to fear. The worst part for me was drowsiness. Some people are affected that way and others aren't. It didn't help my pain but may people do have good results. It is often used for nerve pain and the doc is hoping you get some relief since fibro is amplification of pain rugging through the nerves. The best doctors can do is try something and see if it works for you.

Good luck and sleep well,
Chutzie
Posted 10/22/2008 2:20 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on elevil/amitriptyline for 10 yrs at 100 mg at night. I didn't think it was working so I cut back on it in the spring and the beginning of June had the worse flare I have ever had. I went back up to 100 and haven't had that bad of flare since.

 

It does make you crave sweets. I have been lucky in not gaining much weight on it. Dry mouth is another problem and I don't need that with the sjogrens but..........

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 10/22/2008 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
I started that a couple months ago, at 5mg too. My doctor was supposed to up it, but I think he forgot about me. I just saw him a couple weeks ago and he did up it. It really helped me sleep at first, I hadn't realized how poor my sleep was until then. It hit me pretty hard the first week where I had trouble gettign up the next day, but that side effect is gone now. Other than that I did notice dry mouth, but I just drink extra water, which I need anyway. Did it help my pain? Hard to say, but I think so, a bit. But it's so hard to tell with fibro as symptoms come and go so quickly! I started taking it just when I went to bed, but now I take it about 1 1/2 hours before, so I can get to sleep easily.

Oh, I just realized, I haven't had any headaches this week, or much fewer anyway. I used to get 3-10 a day, so it must be doing something for me!
Posted 10/22/2008 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
I just started taking Elavil on Friday. I take 10mg at night. It does make me tired and helps me sleep but I also take Flexeril at night too. I started taking it for migraines and I have yet to get one!! I usually get about 2-3 a week. It doesn't make me drowsy in the morning as long as I take it a few hours before bed time. I have noticed though that I am more tired the next day usually in the afternoon so I nap. I have heard that the tiredness will fade as your body gets used to the medication so I hope that is the case. As far as pain goes I have not really noticed a difference. I do take Soma (muscle relaxers) during the day and Plaquenil for mixed connective tissue disease. The only complaint I have for elavil is that it makes my mouth so dry. Everyone reacts different to medications so I hope it works well for you!


Kitkat

Posted 10/22/2008 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on Elavil/Amitriptyline for 8 years.  It's worked great.  I started on 20mg nightly, and now I'm on 30mg for the flare.  Helps with the sleep.  So far so good!
Posted 10/22/2008 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
So I just took the first dose last night, and I slept sooo good! I only got woken up by my cat early in the morning, but she was so loud, I think anyone would wake up. I'm so glad that it works with migraines. I've been having such a problem at work with them, but hopefully it'll get better. Thank you guys for sharing with me!!!!! smilewinkgrin
Posted 10/22/2008 6:03 PM (GMT 0)
I'm glad you had a good sleep!  If you find that as you are going up on the dose, you end up having a "drowsy-hang over" feeling the next morning, try taking the pills earlier in the evening.  I found that if I took the pills 90 minutes before bedtime (which is recommended), I was too drowsy the next morning.  So I take it with my supper now!  I don't get so tired in the evening that I'm in bed by 8:00, but I sure am ready to sleep by 10-10:30.  The effect of the meds is much less potent in the morning then.  Little tricks to make life nicer! cool

 

Posted 10/22/2008 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Ginny! I'll definitely try that. I took the dose around 8:30 last night, but luckily I have the day off today to sleep in. I have to usually get up around 6:30 AM, so grogginess would probably be a problem for me!
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