amitriptyline

Has anyone been prescribed this for numbness, tingling, and burning?  Has it worked?  I have this waiting for me at the pharmacy but I'm a little hesitant since amitriptiyline is actually an antidepressant. I know a lot of antidepressants have other uses but I've never had luck in the past with them so I'm wondering if someone here has.

Thanks in advance for the comments!

Laura

[zenhound]

I was on it for a while. My psychiatrist took me off eventually because she said its mechanism was too similar to another anti-depressant I'm on (effexor).

It was prescribed to me for pain, so I'm guessing they're targetting the burning. It helped a little. To me it muffled the pain but didn't get rid of it. I tolerated it fairly well, although when the neuro started moving it up higher I got really zombified. And in fact the first few days I took it I was pretty zombified, but then either I got used to that feeling or my body got used to the drugs and it stopped.

It wasn't my favorite drug ever but definitely not the worst I've had (that honor goes to buspar). In my opinion it's worth trying, but I'd start on a weekend or sometime when you don't have to function the next day, just in case.

[Sarahsmom46]

Definitely start it on a weekend like Zen said.  I was given this a few years ago for pain/spasms at 25mg starting dose.  It zonked me out so I only took it at night so I could sleep through the pain.  I know people who are doing great on it and have used it for years with no problems.  Others, not so much and they went on to different meds to help with the pain.

Again, like Zen said, it is worth trying to see how it works for you.  There are so many other drugs that can help with pain so if this doesn't end of benefiting you then you can ask your neuro for something else.  

Do you know what dose you are starting on?

[Pfurs]

I take amiltriptlyn for nerve pain and my dog does for incontinence. It works  well during the day   I notice the burning pain at the end of the daywhen I want to sit and relax. For me, I find if I keep myself busy or go for a walk the pain subsides.   Doesn't make any sense to me why walking helps but it does.

WhAt are some of the other meds for nerve pain?

[Sarahsmom46]

Gabapentin/Neurontin have been around for years to help with nerve pain.  Cymbalta was being tested for nerve pain for awhile now and has finally been approved for this purpose.  I tried it and it did help for a few months.  

What else have the rest of you (forum friends) used for nerve pain?

[Needhelp16]

I do not know the dose my doctor is starting me on.  My concern is that I have 2 small children and I can't afford to be in a "zombie" like state.  The doc wants me to take it before bed but I'm worried about not being able to wake up at night if my kids need me.  I guess I'll just have to try it and see how I am.  I know everyone reacts differently to meds...I think I'm just torn on what to do.

[Wendywen74]

I was worried about that as well, being that my husband works overnight, and I have 2 6 yr olds. Even though the 1st week it did knock me out, after that it just makes me drowsy (I take it before bed) and I STILL am able to sleep light enough to hear the kids if they need me..im sure everyone reacts different to it, but that has been my experience so far:)

[opie74]

It was given to me a number ofyears ago to prevent migraines.  I hate the stuff and vowed to never take it again.  My mother called from 1000 miles away and told me that she was dieing of cancer and I could not even muster an emotional responce.  I never want to take another anti-depressant for any reason other than depression.  Some people, like me, are excetionally vuneralbe to the mental side effects.  Try it, and if you don't like it, step off of it.

[RazCarver]

I haven't tried it. I take dilantin for pain. It makes. It tolerable.

[SarahL2491]

I took it for migraines for 20 yrs, it slows down your heart beat, and made me sluggish.
never noticed the side effect opie74 voiced..........guess depends on the doseage.......

[Needhelp16]

I read that its used to treat people who are bipolar.  That would explain why some people might feel like a zombie after taking it.  I'm not depressed, have uncontrollable anxiety, etc so this is just another reason why I'm leary to start taking it!

[doublevision1]

I've taken it for a couple of years for neuropathic pain.  It doesn't make my pain remit entirely, but reduces it enough to make it worth my while to continue.  That, combined with gabapentin.  I started at 50mg per night I think;  now I'm at 75mg nightly and an additional 50mg the odd day when the pain is at it's worse.  I only notice the sedative effect during the day, but on those days I'd rather that than the severe pain.  For me the worst side effects are dry mouth and urinary retention.  I don't notice any effect at all on my state of mind.  I've never been depressed nor taken a med like this in the past.  Generally the dose of amitriptyline prescribed for pain is much less than that which used to be prescribed for depression, hence the effect on mood/affect should be minimal if at all.

[opie74]

I like gabapentin, and I took the lowest dose of amitirptaline possible.  It does mess with your heart rate.

[Yankeesfan4life]

I have been on it for 3 months now. My reason for being prescribed it was to help my severe headaches. It worked real well for me after bout a week headaches lessened, but now the headaches are back so I am thinki9ng we need to try something else. I wish you the best and let us know if it helps.
Michael