Amitriptyline 50mg for pain??

Brain and nerves
1

Help please

I'm currently at work, cannot afford to take anymore time off this month and i am in AGONY! My knees/legs are just awful today. Anyway, over the counter pain relief isnt touching me. I havent been prescribed, but have been given by a family member some Amitriptyline 50mg. Can i take one for the pain or should i stick with the Nurofen?

2

Amitriptyline is an anti depressant ...although it might help your pain relief work it is a prepscription drug which you should only use if prep scribed to you ...it does have withdrawal symptoms and does make you drowsy ..usually prescribed to people with m.e. To help them sleep ..

3

Hi, 

Amitriptyline is often prescribed for pain as it blocks the pain signals to the brain. I have two friends who have used it for this purpose, neither have M.E. Sally is right you shouldn't use it if it wasn't prescribed for you, it can have dangerous interactions with other prescription and non prescription drugs, it does make you drowsy, amongst other side effects at first. 

4

Hi, I'm currently taking 75mg at night of Amitriptyline just to help me sleep as the pain I experience in my body keeps me awake. I used to take Naproxen and Omezaprole for the pain during the day and for Migraines but this gave me a stomach ulcer and bleeding. I now cannot take any NSAID drugs and find the only thing that helps with the pain is Co-codamal but probably because it makes you so drowsy. I wouldnt reccomend taking Co-codamol on a daily basis as it is highly addictive as I found out, Apparently the Period pain Nurofen tablet works well.

What I have found that helps is Hydrotherapy I attend Burrswood Hospital which is in Groombridge and also my local Health Spa which have a massive Walk in Hot tub, the heat really seems to help relax the muscles and joints, maybe try something like this a couple of times a week. Hope you find something that suits you.

5

Hi Sara-Loui

I would not take Amitryptyline  unless it is prescribed for you. As people have said it is often used to help people sleep, so could make you very drowsy. I take 10mg at bedtime to help me sleep and I am often drowsy the next day.

 

6

Okay- Thanks guys and girls for your help! I will have to stick with what i have got for today. I can't believe how bad the pain is this morning. Fine when i woke up, and then it hit me like a train! I cant concentrate on anything

Does anyone find the pain moves around the body? Like, it won't necessarily be in the same place/area as it was the day before for instance?

7

l was prescribed amitriptylene for intersticial cystitus, as are most with it, being its a nerve end calmer, and is sedative so helps with sleep. l think most take about l0mg a night to help. l had 50mg a night for a week or so, and it make me really groggy, its quite a strong dose particularly taking it for first time. Hope your gp can advice and help you with something.  

8

Hi

So sorry to hear you are in such pain. I take abstention for pain. You can take up to 3 tablets a day but I take one in the morning and one at night. It just takes the edge off. The best medicine for my pain is actually a hot sunny climate! I therefore find on days like today with the weather as it is, pain is worse. I also take amitriptyline but at night to help me sleep. 

Both are prescribed medicines. Ring your doc and see if they can do you a script without having to get an appointment.

Paz

9

Hi Lynne.  did the Amytriptline help the IC ?  i'm really struggling with same @ the moment.

with thanks.

10

I agree that you shouldn't take amitryptiline without prescription. Have you tried co-codamol for the pain, if nurofen isn't working? Warning, it tends to cause constipation!

11

Hi saraLoui.  so sorry to hear you're in such pain presently.  as far as i understand, Amytriptline, works on the nerve ending, so is a pain reliever for nerve type pain.  it also works as an antidepressant and helps with sleep. i haven't used it, so personally can't comment on it's effectiveness. 

C

12

Hey Sarah,  if the over the counter medication does not touch your pain, you need to ask your doctor for something stronger that will help ease it so you can function better.  You can also get an electric blanket which is like a gigntic heating pad to help your legs & knees feel better at night, and then hopefully they will feel some improvement during the day too.  Also a hot tub or just a hot bath or shower can help as well.  But it really sounds like you also need to talk to your doctor about a stronger pain medication to help you get through the day at work.  One other trick would be wrapping the knees with an ace bandage to keep them warm while you're working, and plus, the pressure from having them wrapped can really help relieve the pain some.  Just be sure they aren't wrapped so tight that they cut off your circulation.  smile

 

13

I don't know what country you live in, but is there any way you can get government disability and stop working for a while? Continuing to work when you're in so much pain--from this illness, I presume--is not a good thing. It can end up making you far worse, and result in your not being able to work at all. This is what happened to me. There came the point when I pretty much collapsed at work and had to leave. No choice.

14

l think it did help for me, it also reduced output of urine, and its the frequent passing of urine in small amounts that aggrevate, also helped me get a better nights sleep. It was gps who started me on 50mg, which despite help made me like a zombie following mornings, but urologist said you only need small dose to  calm nerve endings, lomg, which is smallest dose, although l sometimes take half. l think it can be used in larger doses for depression. Seems commonly taken for i.c. and think it helps most. gps usually obliging prescribing it, hope you get some help soon. x

15

Thank You Lynne, that's valauble infomation.  i'm plagued with both IC & Insomnia.

C

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l am so grateful my ic is fairly well settled, 90 percent better, at its worst its horrible, and that adds to not being able to sleep, but l also get up at least once and ave 4-5hrs a night, seems like half the population sleep badly, the amitrip does help a bit.  Hope you get a break from it soon.

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thanks Lynne. pleased to hear it's helped you so much. what a relief.

i'm seeing my 'new' Doc. tom. so will put it to her. interestingly, anti-biotics do help the acute  IC flares ups, eventhough urine tests infection free. 

C

18

Just noticed my predictive text had changed gabapentin to abstention??!!!

Sorry! 

Paz

19

I take 50mg of this at night you take it 2 hours before bed I wouldn't take it during the day xx

20

Thanks everyone! Really appreciate you all taking the time to comment

I've been told taking a Tramadol 50mg can help with the pain at work. Someone i work with has mild fibro and takes them as and when she needs them. Anyone know if they would help at all?

@jackie00198 I have just reduced my working hours, but i Live in the UK and getting any kind of government help is incredibly long, and hard work. I think i would have to be on my death bed or completely imobile to qualify for any financial help.