wanting to know more about amitriptyline

[wannabfre2b]

Hi out there, just got back from dr's office, my lower back and legs are giving me alot of pain, (several bad discs) and they prescribed me amitripyline (anti depressant) 100 mg to take at night for pain.  I am trying to stay away from opiates, but i started reading all the side effects, and cautions on the net,   huh, are these things addictive too,  and if you have  drink with them it says REALLY bad stuff, not sure i want to try them.  What do you all think?  Im a little nervous, especially the high dosage, does it help for pain?

[Xsane]

I have been given a Galaxy of Drugs for my Back Pain (Mid-Back) for around 2 years now. And that's basically what they start most folks on. But usually around 10-25mg or so? 100mg sounds Very Excessive - even for Chronic back Pain.
Didn't do much for me, other than make me Very tired - and gave Me Restless Legs most nights...Which is Miserable, since that Much Amatriptilyne will make you so tired and you can't sleep due to Restless legs. -- EESSHHH.
But, I wouldn't worry about addiction - would be the same as getting tired off of Benadryl, thats really the only effect.
What I predict - is that the Amitriptalyne will Not work -  and you will then be Bumped up to a Heavier Drug or Narcotic ? Like Vicodin, Oxycodone or maybe even Methadone in the future...Next thing ya know, you're hooked on Opiates.
Back Pain and Using Meds to Cure it is a Vicious cycle of Med taking, and then finding yourself cursing that you started it in the first Place..
But I understand - all you want is a Little relief and to get atleast a decent night's sleep. GL with that...

[my_mayberry]

i've never heard of addiction to amitriptyline. it's an old-school antidepressant and today is often prescribed for certain types of nerve pain. this class of drug has been around for a very long time and typically work very well. the reason they are no longer front-line treatment for depression/anxiety disorders is because they do tend to have more side effects than newer drugs. at 100mg, it would not at all be uncommon to experience dry-mouth or constipation...etc.  in any event, i've taken another drug called imipramine for the past 15 years...its a sister drug to amitriptyline....and i've never had a problem. the only problem i've ever had is if i run out...it tends to be very very hard to sleep. infact...you just want to make sure you DON'T run out. the reason is because this is just like any other anti-depressant...it needs to be tapered off or else you experience "discontinuation syndrome"....which is a kind way of saying you've become physically addicted to them. bear in mind, though, that this physical addiction is not uncommon at all and can easily be side-stepped with a not-so-elaborate taper. psychological addiction doesn't occure. there ARE stories of people abusing this drug, but namely because they are stupid and don't know what it is. they mistake it for a 'downer' because it does make you tired.

[Dav125]

100mg seems a little excessive to me. Its one of those drugs that Dr's normally start you at a low dose and gradually increase it.. My doctor prescribed that along with clonidine (back in August.. I went to him for help in getting away from the oxy meds post surgery which I had done in June).

The amitriptyline does a couple things from what he told me. It is a mild antidepressant with some pain killing properties to it..He had my dose at start with one 25mg pill during the first week at bedtime and then one or two 25mg's if I tolerate it ok. I pretty much have stuck with one pill at bedtime though.

.He said start with one to see how it reacts as he said it can cause dizziness, dry mouth, etc in some people so it's one of those drugs that agrees with some people and not with others..

The objective of prescribing this with the clonidine was to help re-stabilize my sleep over time. The clonidine lowers your BP so as to relieve some of the stress associated with wd's The amptriptyline helps relieve anxiety and tension associated with opiate wd's along with helping increase your energy level...It may take a week or longer for it to reach its full effect.. Neither one are what you would consider a "sleeping "pill..

So far I haven't noted any problems or side effects of concern..As far as it being addictive I can't say one way or the other..I did note though that its recommended "not" to just stop the drug suddenly if you have been on it for awhile at elevated doses. That this should be discussed with your Dr....Hope this helped some...Day5 ? Your over the hump..Good job :)

[wannabfre2b]

Oh, i am on day 5, and doing somewhat ok, anxiety issues and pain issues, but better that the alternative.