Amitriptyline withdrawal how long it t last

Hi all, I am new here and I have been reading great stuff on this forum. Here is my story:

I was put on 10mg of amitriptyline after a panic attack due to job related issues. After 3months on amitriptyline I decided to stop taking it because of some bad side effects, I was like a zombie everyday and couldn't function well and been a software developer, I couldn't work properly. After coming off of it, I had anxiety, panics attack, itching, headaches, suicidal thoughs and insomnia. I could not sleep for 1month but my Dr gave me 10tablets of lorazepam 0.5mg to manage with. I went to see doctor and he sent me to see psychiatrist, then the psychiatrist put me again on amitriptyline 25mg. I took it again 2days but I could not function at all and got just 8hrs of sleep within those 2days, then I decided enough is enough and stopped it directly. Now 3weeks I stopped it, I have managed to be positive and keep in mind that the insomnia won't last. I sleep for 3hrs per day, some time just 2hrs. I have a lot of mood swim but keep reminding myself of withdrawal. I have anxiety too but I am trying to manage it, it is so bad the withdrawal, my personality has changed a lot. How long all these symptoms will last? I am sick, couldn't take a proper decision, giving that all the time I am afraid of what will happen. Please I need help, I don't want to die. Thank you very much, any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Hello Scare Cat, I am so happy reading your quick reply. It gives me some motivation again. I am struggling with all the withdrawal symptoms, anxiety and agitation is out of the scale but I will keep reminding myself that this is for some time.

I want to be medication free, because I strutted Drs before when I was still in good health. But during this short time I noticed that they are just there to prescribe medications without any understanding of what we are going through. The psychiatrist really scared me in this sense, during my visits with him, he kept prescribing meds (trazodone, hydroxyzine, naproxen, Escitalopram, Ambien, sumatriptan). Among all these meds, I took the Escitalopram for 2days then I was suicidal and stopped it. I didn't feel anything with the hydroxyzine which I took for about 5 days. The sumatriptan was for migraines headache as migraine came out as one of the side effects I was having with amitriptyline. The naproxen is for headaches and never helped me. The Ambien for sleep, I decided to not take it at all as it is addictive from my research on the web.

The 10 tables of lorazepam was so helpful as I did manage to use it and sleep well but it was just 10 table of 0.5mg and Dr said it is highly addictive and don't advise me to take more then 10 tablets, this was during the first withdrawal.

Well, even the psychiatrist didn't understand why my Dr gave amitriptyline at first, because I wasn't depressed or having insomnia.

Thank you very much I will read what you recommended and try to find a therapist. I hope things gonna be fine in the near future. If I may ask, have you ever seen anyone who recover completely from this drug? Thanks.

Hi arm I went off from amitriptyline after 17 years on 70 mg I wanted to get off from these meds so went cold turkey and stop taking these meds its my week 4 since my last dose I am have all the withdrawal symptoms as you mentioned especially burning legs hot legs did you do something about that how did you manage this please help as I am very determined to be medecine free thx

Hi 007 and welcome!

I am sorry to hear of the continuing withdrawl effects you are currently experiencing. Unfortunately since you did stop abruptly...this is just something that goes along with not tapering gradually.

The burning is likely due to overactive nerve endings responding to the absence of the ingredient that worked on their suppression since Amityrptyline works as a nerve pain Rx, as well as being an antidepressant.

You may find some relief in using Fish Oil supplements if you are not already taking them...

...and please see our Resources at the top of the main forum page here for great self help material that will help you through this challenge...and beyond, since it is your hope to be Rx free.

Best wishes and post with us anytime for sharing and support.

Scaredy Cat

IKR?? SMH @ some of these prescriptions dr.s are giving....:/

You said you went from 25 mg of amitriptyline for headaches 8 months ago.

Reduced over several weeks to 5 mg.

Then said, “Started having constant nausea, bloating, and cramps. Could not get immediate appointment with doctor so went to ER. Did an abdominal CT scan....all negative. Symptoms continue to get worse....while still taking 5 mg.

"Am now considering doing an endoscopy. Increased dosage back to 25 mg two days ago. Felt great on first day but then nausea again after second dose increase. Could this all be because amitriptyline withdrawal?”

You said after dropping from 25 mg to 5 mg over several weeks, you started having constant nausea, bloating, and cramps.

Riveroakstreatment.com says “Withdrawal symptoms that have been reported in individuals who are believed to be undergoing withdrawal associated with discontinuing amitriptyline include:6

• Dizziness and headaches.
• Other physical symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, diarrhea, muscle aches, aching joints, fever, chills, and sweating.

• Psychological symptoms, such as appetite loss, an increase in anxiety, irritability, fatigue, insomnia, problems with concentration, restlessness, issues with memory, hypersensitivity to environmental stimulation such as lights or sound, and crying spells (mood swings).

• More serious psychological symptoms, including feelings of depersonalization (feeling as if one is not real), severe depression, panic attacks, and even suicidality (very rare).

• Feeling as if one has the flu during withdrawal (e.g., headaches, fatigue, nausea, etc.).


Net says “Endoscopy is a nonsurgical procedure used to examine a person's digestive tract.”

Webmd.com says about headaches: “When it comes to headache remedies, medications and others can help prevent headaches from starting, but they aren’t the only option. Changing your lifestyle to control stress or avoid triggers may work well, too. These tactics may even prevent you from getting headaches. What works for one person may not work for another, so talk to your doctor to figure out the best remedy for you.”

As a bipolar, I think the last 5 mg can be the worse. My wife was given Elavil (amitriptyline) for headaches long time ago. What does your doctor say about your symptoms?