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[HelloSam666]

Hi Everyone,

this is my first post and i'd like to let everyone know what has worked for me with regards to my menopause symptoms.

I've just turned 54 and for the last few months have suffered from insomnia, increased hormonal migraines (these started in my mid 30s and recently became more frequent - 4 times a wk on average) as well as night sweats on chest/neck/head.

After blood tests with my GP and being advised i was menopausal i made an appt with a private menopause doctor and was prescribed an oestrogen patch 25mg & Utrogestan nightly - I was told to stay on mini pill too. After a week on this regime i feel absolutely awful - worse than anything i experienced prior to starting - mentally & physically. I was advised to stop and within a day or two felt myself again but still had the symptoms i had prior to starting.

So back to square one & i made a tele appointment with my GP. I explained that the migraines and insomnia were my main issues and he suggested trialling 10mg of Amitriptyline. I'm now on my 2nd week of taking this. At first i felt a bit tired next day & a touch of dry mouth but that's all. It had been nothing but miraculous and i feel like a new person.....or more to the point, how i used to be like, personality wise. Sleep is solid - 7 - 8 hrs per night and since the second wk, no migraines and no night sweats on chest/neck/head.

Additionally, i don't get the nauseous feeling late afternoon that i had been suffering from these last few months and just feel like i have more energy, more zest and an altogether better person.

I hope this will last, i'm thrilled to bits and will continue with this regime of the 10mg along with Cerelle mini pill. I hope my post may help as alternative for some ladies in the same situation

[Rosie63]

Hi and welcome to the Forum. I was really interested to read your post as I haven’t been able to find a HRT regime that works for me without horrible side effects.  I have been prescribed Amitriptyline before for digestive issues and now thinking it might be worth giving it another try for my menopause symptoms. I have actually got a few left from before although they’re probably out of date now. I guess I’ve got nothing to lose !

I’m pleased you’ve found something that works for you.  Long may it continue 👍😊

Rosie63 x

[HelloSam666]

Hi Rosie,

coincidentally re digestive issues, i was diagnosed with IBS in my late teens, although there was no remedy for it back then. I had a particularly bad flare up in my early 40s and had all sorts of procedures done -the doctors weren't sure if it was coeliac, crohns or ulcerative colitis & i had to undertake a fodmap diet with the dieticians. To cut a long story short, i've since kept a wheat free diet although it's not eliminated all the symptoms i've had - swinging from constipation / diarrhea / nausea etc. But with anything, you just get on with life and try to deal with it.

This last week taking amtriptyline, i've had no issues whatsoever. I really cant believe it and only a couple of days ago, i read that this medication is in fact, prescribed for IBS symptoms too. Wish i'd know that years ago!!!

[Postmeno3]

Hoping to not go off piste here, but I wonder if the calming aspect of Amitriptyline might take the edge off the impact of many symptoms, enabling systems to function in a less "dis-stressed", "insulted" way? 🤔

[HelloSam666]

Postmeno3, i have to say, it's crossed my mind & i've also thought that finally getting good regular nights sleep solves a multitude of issues too. It's only 10mg though so i wasn't sure if that amount helps to 'mellow' you somewhat but in any case, its done wonders.

With regards to the hormonal migraines, prior to this drug, I was taking far too many sumaptriptan for the migraines which were nearly daily and if i had to take 2 in a day, they made me feel lethargic and a little out of it. So to not suffer these has made me slight euphoric too :-).

[Nas]

This is interesting.
I haven’t found a regime which tackles anxiety and insomnia. I was prescribed Amitriptyline and mirtazapine to try.

10mg of Amitriptyline did the trick for about two weeks. Now I’m back to restless sleep, early waking and awful anxiety in the morning. I’m debating whether to up my Amitriptyline or take mirtazapine regularly?

Is Amitriptyline meant to be calming?

[lindyloo1965]

This is something i am going to explore as i suffer from IBS and anxiety, one pill to cure both would be fantastic

[HelloSam666]

Hi Nas, lindyloo,

i was actually telling a friend last night about the amitriptyline and surprisingly, she has been taking between 5 - 10mg for a couple of years but had never mentioned it to me. She was prescribed it after her mum died due to feeling very down. I didnt realise at this low dosage it could help in this area but it did make a difference to her. As i mentioned, it's helped tremendously for my migraines / sleep so far but i feel so much better too. Perhaps a small dosage can help with moods too although i guess it depends on the person, it's all so very personal isn't it. Sam

[CLKD]

Tnx for sharing!

[Polpringle]

I used to be on Amitriptyline for insomnia due to Fibromyalgia and nerve pain. It’s an Anti depressant and used to treat low mood, nerve pain and migraines. Unfortunately it won’t help with sweats and other symptoms but I had the best sleep ever on it 🥰 I just stopped taking it as didn’t want to be on AD’s any longer as was also on Fluoxetine and a plethora of other drugs.
Worth mentioning to Drs as it obviously helps with some symptoms we have!!

[Kwebst]

It’s commonly used to prevent migraines and for IBS, low doses at 10mg can be all that’s needed.

[Lyncola]

I love using Amitriptyline, I’m currently on 62.5mg, and I go up 12.5mg every two weeks. My mood is wonderful and helps sleeping.

My neurologist put me on them and I’m supposed to go up 12.5mg every two weeks until I get to 100mg. I’ll have random short sometimes long headaches and facial pain, always in different spots. Before taking them in July this year I was depressed. And my IBS was really playing up. My neurologist said most patients get relief at 75mg. I pray that this will work for me, currently I’m on 11-25 headaches and facial pain every day. On a bad day before I’ll started amitriptyline I could get up to 100 headaches and facial pains.

I personally have no trouble with Amitriptyline

[HelloSam666]

Yes, i've had no problems so far with Amitriptyline although i know it's early days & the dose is quite small. I did have a look online once i'd been prescribed them and was alarmed to see weight gain as a major obstacle but i've not had any or changing patterns of wanting to eat more.

I know it's been mentioned that it won't help with night sweats but i have not had any sweats on my chest/neck head. Perhaps it is coincidental but this is my experience and it's a blessing not to have to change me night gown every day or every couple of days. Like i said though, we're all different and i hope it helps anyone in my situation who is having similar problems