Elavil for pain

[skarey]

Went to the dr today and he gave me a trial presciption for Elavil.  He said it is an antidepressant used for nerve pain and that it may help with the pain and burning I've been having.  Has anyone else ever used this?  I'm really nervous about trying it.  I don't like antidepressants.
  
I'm thinking I can tolerate the pain.  It's just the burning sensation I am gettin in my shins and top of feet that gets uncomfortable.  

I'm still thinking I have lymes, fibro, or poss MS.  The dr's say no to MS, but it can't be 100 ruled out.  I don't have the painful points I don't think that people with Fibro have.  But I have every sx of fibro.  So does that leave Lymes??  

  I'm sick of being sick and not knowing!!
    thanks for listening!
   Karey

[Amyloo]

Hi,  There are a whole list of antidepressants that can assist with pain.  Don't let their name (antidepressants) stop you from trying them for relief from pain, they work.  I take neurontin for nerve pain, which was originally meant to be an anti seizure med.  

They work.  My advice is try a half like you said.  Give it a month or two.  If it doesn't give you relief, there may be another one that you can try.  Cymbalta is also a good one.  I am not in the medical field so don't take this as med. advice, just speaking from personal experience.  God bless you, Amy

[skarey]

The dosage is for 25 MG.  I am super sensitive to meds so I am thinking of breaking it in half at first.  Did anyone have bad side effects on it?  My mom took it several years ago for Depression and she said it made her feel crazy.  So naturally I'm a bit nervous as I seem to have the same effects from meds that my mom has.
  Thanks!
  skarey

[Military_Wifey]

I am luking here, awaiting MS diagnosis after brain MRI. I am on Amitryptyline, which is the generic name for Elavil by the way). I was prescribed it by my pain management doctor as a sleep aid. I have been on it for 2 years, with a few breaks where I had narcotics due to multiple surgeries. I have not heard of it being for pain, but I am getting as a sleep aid because my pain keeps me awake. So, in a way I guess it could help, but depending on dosage, will make you VERY sleepy. As Todd mentioned, you should not stop it abrubtly. If you have problems with it (I have not) let your doc know so they can work your dosage down. Hope this helps!

-Dee

[patsy10]

I tried it for a bried period of time but it made me very sleepy.  The dose that is given for nerve pain is generally much lower than the dose required for antidepressant treatment.  

[Todd36]

I was on amitriptyline for about three months, which is another antidepressant that has broader applications.  I recently went off it and the burning pain returned in a bad way.  Apparently antidepressants block pain receptors, which is why they help.  I didn’t really notice a difference when I was talking them except for it helped with dealing with the pain.  If you can get by without them, do it, but I wouldn't be too worried about it if you decide to take them.  I read, however, you should slowly wean yourself off antidepressant when you decide to stop taking them, as stopping abruptly could have side effects.  

good luck!