amytriptyline

I have been taking amytriptyline for 20 years, of course prescribed by my family physician. He started treating me years ago for major headaches and this med seemed to do the trick. He says he has had patients on this drug for 20+ years with no problems.  I heard a horror story today about a local lady in our town that has been taking amitriptyline for 15 years to treat her fibromyalgia and she quit all her meds cold turkey last week and she is near death right now. Specialist came to the conclusion that the amitri. has paralized her colon, cause she cant have a bowel movement on her own and now she can't eat. My question is, can long term use of amitriptyline cause such horrific health problems?  I  go for yearly checkups with my Doctor faithfully every year.  I have tried twice to get off of this drug, but my headaches are unbearable to deal with.
Thanks

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

Every drug has its side effects, and amitriptylline is no exception.  However, the side effects are usually mild and manageable, and what happened to that other person may be an exception and a rarity.  Of thousands of people who are taking this drug, it is very hard to ascribe the occurrence of a major side effect to the drug if it happens to only one person.  It is always best to have yourself regularly checked by your doctor and report to him or her any symptoms.  This way, your doctor will decide if these symptoms can be ascribed to any medications that you are taking.

Take care and God bless.

[Sand123]

Thanks, I feel a lot better. I have talked with my Dr. about trying to completely get off of amitriptyline and he said you have to do it over several weeks period by slowly reducing the doseage so that is what I am trying. I'll see how that goes. I have been on it so long,
Thanks Again
Sand123

[migrainer1974]

I was taking amitriptyline as 1 of my preventatives for migraines for a couple of years. I was only on 10 mg and didn't have any luck with this med of the other which was Topamax so my DR switch both. She took me off amitriptyline completely and is weening me off of the topamax slowly before adding in Depakote. Hopefully this will work.

My question is since she started this I have had leg aches ( not cramps or burning ). Just aches like they are tired. This was before I started the Depakote. When I asked her she said she is assuming it was from coming off the amitriptyline but hasn't heard of it to just continue with the plan and take motrin for the aches. Now this keeps me awake at night so I'm not getting much sleep. If anyone has experienced this please help. It has been 2 weeks of no amitriptyline and legs are driving me nuts!!!