Hi, I was taking 75/100mg of amitripiline for chronic pain. (5 Yrs) The pain has now disappeared & i came off amitripiline over 6 weeks. After about 3 to 4 weeks, i am still waking up extremely early & having trouble going to sleep. But the main thing that concerns me is, i have developed a prickly sensation all over my body which i have had for about 7 weeks. The doctors thinks this has nothing to do with withdrawal from amitripilne, i have had antihistimines & creams which has no effect. Has anyone experienced this sensation on withdrawal.
Hi, I have been on a very low dose of this drug for two years...just half a 25mg tablet at night for nerve pain...and I have this sensation,.it's like an itch which doesn't go away until I can fall asleep. I think it maybe due to nerve damage from AS. as it is like tingling and small bug bites...I also have a rash which I have had for a long time. The neurologist says not to worry about it as many people experience this. I am also on a low dose sleeping tablet but still have trouble sleeping..same as you takes ages to get to sleep and then wake maybe four hours later...has anyone any ideas...to add.
Hello YES I have been experiencing the PRICKLY HEAT plus excessive sweating during the night, mostly at night but, sometimes during the day as well.
My sleep pattern has gone to WHERE ???? i do not know?
My sleep is , interupted often during the night, getting up frequently to pass water, wherefore previously I did not wake up or wish to pass water??
I awake far to early in the mornings & often feel tired during the day.
I have been off AMITRYPTALINE now for about 12 weeks.
The side effects of withdrawal are horrific, A WELL KNOWN FACT.
I have tried many times before over the years to come off AMITRYPTALINE without success & have given inbecause of the side effects.
This time I am detrmined to keep going.
AMITRYPTALINE is a very strong & somewhat good but, addictive drug.
I personally wish I had known about this drug before the Consultant had placed me on it.
I wish the MEDICAL TEAMS would let patients know more about this drug before deciding to administer AMITRYPTALINE.
It is a big NO FROM ME.
Kindest Regards Jackie
I was on it for P.T.S.S. plus CHRONIC SPINE PAIN AFTER TWO SPINALS OPERATIONS.. FOR ABOUT 20+ YEARS
Hi Patrick
I was on 200mg amitriptyline per night for 18 years. I stopped taking it completely about 5 months ago. I also have the prickly sensation since stopping taking it. For me it's worse in my hands for some reason. The sleep problems are also a withdrawal side effect. I have been using the supplements 5-htp and valerian and they do help with falling asleep. Unfortunately I haven't found anything to help with the prickling but have started taking magnesium because I was told it might help. If anyone on here has a solution to the prickling I'd love to know.
Stick with it, you are not alone.
Diane
Hi Jackie
I just wanted to reply to your post and send you some support. I stopped taking amitriptyline 5 months ago after 18 years on 200mg. You're right the withdrawal side effects are horrendous. Insomnia, prickly heat, stomach cramps, anxiety etc. I've had it all too. Valerian and 5-htp help as supplements at bedtime. 5-htp increases serotonin and melatonin levels but takes a few weeks to work properly. Doctors are sceptical that my continuing symptoms are withdrawal but they began when I stopped taking amitriptyline and I know they are. It does gradually get better so please hang in there even though it can feel like it won't. You will get back to being yourself.
Take care
Diane
Hi, Thank you all for your replies, much appreciated.
I am sure the prickly sensation will disappear in time as our bodies return to normal. Doctors should be aware of the withdrawal symptoms of drugs. My Doctor told me, that the drug would be out of my system after a couple of weeks & that any withdrawal symptoms would clear within a month. I knew the prickly sensation was to do with withdrawal.
Thanks
Hi,
Sorry I forgot to mention, I was adviced to take Vit B50 complex for the prickle sensation, it takes about 3 weeks to work. I will let you know what happens
Kind regards
Patrick
HELLO PATRICK. yes yes & yes to all of what you mention, plus many more.
Sleep pattern is terrible, cant get to sleep, awake early, sweating terribly, flushes, hot & cold, & shakes.
Everything is happening & it is all withdrawel symtoms of taking this very STRONG & ADDICTIVE DRUG.
Jackie
Hello Patrick again.
PS I was informed by my GP it could take a year or more to overcome the withdrawal symtoms of taking AMITRYPTALINE if not more.
Jackie
I have not been taking them now for about 14weeks & I am still having problems
Hi Jacqueline,
I was on this drug for 10 years and my doc weened me off over a 5 week taper. Started with 10mg but over time my dosage was increased to 50mg. i think It should have been a 5 month taper but the doc disagrees. I have had horrible symptoms as well (withdrawal I assume) I was finished taking the drug in early May. You think this is going to take until next May to get over this? could I go back on a low dosage (10mg) to releive the symptoms? and just ween off over the next year?
Rich
Hi
Can you please tell me your other withdrawal symptoms. I'm having a terrible, no horrific time it's 8 weeks since my last dose.
Hello Heather,
I stopped taking amitriptyline in April. I had been on 200mg per night for 18 years. Apart from insomnia I've had terrible digestive problems causing me to lose 14lbs in weight, I'm now intolerant to gluten, lactose, meat and soy. I've also had weird brain zaps, tingling itchy hands, feet and head and severe anxiety and depression. The insomnia will gradually improve, I'm using 5-htp, valerian and avena sativia, magnesium helps also. Once I gave up gluten, the stomach problems eased a bit. It takes a while but it does get better. Hang in there. Let me know your symptoms and if I have experienced them I will let you know if I found anything that helped.
Diane
Hi Diane
I stopped take no amitriptyline in Aug this year after 16yr.i feel dreadful, exhausted,so weak, depressed, a sense of doom.
Pain and muscle stiffness everywhere, tingly and odd feeling in my head, especially one side like a kind of pressure. I also have a kind of numbness / altered sensation in parts of my face. The head and face problem is there most of the time. Vomiting and tummy/ bowel problem.
Do you ha e any of these?
Cheers Heather
Diane I should also have said I can't concentrate, can't think properly.
Heather
Hi Heather
Yes! I experienced all of those things. The pain and stiffness took about 3 to 4 months to go away and whilst it was happening it was dreadful. No medication helped but it did stop eventually so take comfort from that. I'm still battling with the stomach issues. Try giving up gluten for a while, it helped me a bit.
I'm sorry you're having such a bad time. Try taking 5-htp supplements, they increase serotonin levels which will be hugely depleted after so long on amitriptyline, this helps with depression and sleep. Your digestive issues can lead to depression as well. After 6 months I'm beginning to feel a little better. Like you I haven't been able to work, or leave the house much for that matter but managed a walk on the heath yesterday. I still have tingling in my hands and head.
Your symptoms will improve but it takes time and I do understand what you're going through and how horrible it is.
Diane
Yes, I had that too. Couldn't even watch a tv programme properly because my mind flitted about. That settled down after a few months. I took avena sativa drops in water. They are very calming and stop the anxiety and sense of doom you mentioned.
Hope this helps.
Diane
Hello I thought it was just me but, after being on AMITRYPTALINE for 30+ yrs I thought it was me & my body changes that had given me a wheat intolerance , I am now also intolerant to meat & also suffer very bad stomach problems ie digestive problems. I am also now loosing weight naturally as my appetite has reduced dramatically.
I am off amitryptaline now & I am so very glad but, I am still suffering withdraawal symtoms.
Jackie
Hi, yes I've also become intolerant to meat. I feel dreadful if I eat it. Good to be off the amitriptyline but the problems caused by not taking it seem to be huge.
Diane
Hi Jackie I stopped amitriptyline in Aug I have no concentration, really depressed very weepy. Odd feeling in my head, numbness in my face, weak exhausted, muscle tension, pain, vomiting, bowel problem. Do you have any of these?
Hello Heather , I have had all of what you have had & more, I saw my GP & she has put me on PROZAC 20mg twice a day & I have improved greatly.
I am no longer depressed & feel more energetic but, I am still having the withdrawal symtoms of the AMITRYPTALINE which I came off in JUNE/JULY 2016 so, it has only been a few months since I came off them. I have been told many stories about the time it takes for the withdrawal symtioms to wear off as well, some say 6 months some say a lot longer, fingers crossed, it is a ong a terrible journey but, you must get some help with this as I did.
Kindest Regards Jackie xx