Elavil Withdrawal - itchy

I've been taking 75 mg of Elavil to prevent headaches since early 2003. Over the last month I've been weened off of it. I had gone off of it once before, so for the most part knew what to expect. I'm having all the typical withdrawal symptoms, dizziness, headache, general stomach discomfort, nausea, sleep issues etc....One thing that I'm having problems with is that I'm very very itchy. Mostly the arms, and scalp, but it won't stop. I haven't found anything online about itchiness being a symptom of withdrawal, maybe it's something else? Nothing else has changed in my routine, I don't have allergies that I'm aware of, so I don't know what else it could be.

Is this normal? Should I be concerned? And in general, when should all the withdrawal symptoms finally go away (I eventually started taking it again the last time I tried to stop because I couldn't take the withdrawal effects even 2 months after being off the meds).

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Thanks for writing in.
Elavil withdrawal symptoms include headache, irritability, nausea, vomiting, diaharrea, trouble sleeping and vivid dreams. Elavil is known to cause rash, hives and itching.
http://www.medicinenet.com/amitriptyline/article.htm
Since you do not have any history of allergies it is very likely that the itch is due to Elavil.
Please discuss this with your treating doctor. It is always advised to reduce the dose of Eklavil gradually to decrease the chances of getting withdrawal symptoms.
Take care!