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I can finally sleep with this pill..

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/30/2015 4:05 PM (GMT 0)
It's an antidepressant but has many other uses. It's used for depression, anxiety, migraines, insomnia, pain, and I'm sure there's others that I'm leaving out, but those are the ones that I care about the most with my disease being active. The drug is called amitriptyline. I've taken it for three days now and I am finally getting the rest my body needs. My doctor prescribed it saying I'll sleep better and I didn't believe him because I've struggled for 3 months now trying to get a decent sleep. The first night I took the pill It worked. The other benefits won't kick in for a few weeks but the insomnia benefit is immediate. I'm on a low dose to start (10mg) and over time this dosage will increase. If you're struggling with depression I recommend asking for this because of its multiple benefits for UC including helping with pain. Just thought I'd share and maybe help some people out. Anyone else try this before?
Posted 8/30/2015 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, my GI prescribed it but my condition continued to deteriorate so I stopped it. Barely gave it a chance to be honest. I was just getting so sick so quickly.
Posted 8/30/2015 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
I use a very low dose for my fibromyalgia and my spouse uses it for stress headaches. I've taken it for years and the times I have gone off it, my pain level skyrockets. It doesn't help with my pain from diverticular associated colitis.

I'm so happy to hear it's helping you!

Post Edited (lealee) : 8/30/2015 12:12:41 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/30/2015 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
Yup, was on it for almost two years. Also claims to help ibs. My advice for you is to remain on the lowest possible dose that is effective. It's hard to come off these drugs. Google amitriptyline withdrawal, it's an eye opener. I've been tapering off for months. Not saying the drugs isn't needed, I def needed it, but didn't realize stopping would be so hard(and I didn't want to be on for life). Sure did help me sleep though, I was up to 25mg.
Posted 8/30/2015 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
Did anyone notice the mood boosting aspect of it? And how long did it take to feel that effect if you did? Also how about increased appetite. I read a lot of people stop the drug from weight gain but I actually NEED the weight, badly lol.
Posted 8/30/2015 9:23 PM (GMT 0)
I would not recommend it for people like me who suffer from tremendous fatigue due to IBD as it has a sedative effect. I know at very low doses like yours it does help people with pain who can't sleep. You need a much higher dose for antidepressant effect.
Posted 8/30/2015 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
But if you take it at night then the fatigue shouldn't be an issue, or am I wrong?
Posted 8/30/2015 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
The sedative effect can last to a lesser extent longer than the night. Depends how sensitive you are to meds.
Posted 8/31/2015 12:15 AM (GMT 0)
I'm envious. My GP prescribed me 10mg amitriptyline for insomnia and it had **** all effect :/ The only thing that really works for me is a proper sleeping pill, like zoplicone.
Posted 8/31/2015 12:30 AM (GMT 0)

You-See said...
Did anyone notice the mood boosting aspect of it? And how long did it take to feel that effect if you did? Also how about increased appetite. I read a lot of people stop the drug from weight gain but I actually NEED the weight, badly lol.

The only thing that is going to help with weight gain is improvement of your inflammation. I doubt you will get that side effect without remission. Sorry.

I take sleeping pills when I need to. I hate taking something every day. If I am really depressed I will take something for a year but I usually try to get off it eventually if I can.
Posted 9/1/2015 10:18 PM (GMT 0)
I was experiencing fatigue from malnutrition at the time and had to stop taking it quickly. I was so tired, I could barely get out of bed in the morning. I didn't notice any positive effects related to pain or mood.
Posted 9/1/2015 11:15 PM (GMT 0)
If you want to gain weight, look into mirtazapine. A friend of mine had to give it up, despite it otherwise working well for her, because she said all it made her do was want to eat. It's the antidepressant most strongly correlated with weight gain, I think. And it also has a sedating effect, so hopefully it'll help you sleep as well.
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