Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: JeanneA on June 14, 2013, 03:20:02 PM
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Due to my sleep problems and very 'down' generally my G.P. has put me on a anti-depressant called amitriptyline which I have to take each night, 70mg. Has anyone else been on this anti-depressant?
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Hi JeanneA
I recently had a very brief use of 10mg Amitriptyline.
It was to reduce migraines and neuropathic (all along right hand side) pain.
It helped to reduce headaches for a while but the right hand side pain didn't go, possibly even got worse but I'me not certain. It was good for getting a good nights sleep however!
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Hi JeanneA, I tried the 10mg a while ago, but had to stop because I couldn't get used to the drowsy feeling in the morning.....So I am wondering how you will get on with 70mg......everyone is different of course,do let us know how you get on.
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They gave me such a horribly dry mouth and I was only on 10mg.
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Jeanne have you taken one yet or is this a new prescription? x
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I take 10mg at night to help me sleep and am fine with it.
Lesley x
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Meno last time I saw my GP re sleepless nights due to hot sweats, he gave me some Zopiclone, I take 1/2 tab maybe 2 or 3 times a week, cannot function after 2 sleepless nights, but he did mention, some form of A.D 's 10mgs might help me with sleep, how long do you sleep for with Amitriptyline? x
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Had another thought
I had tried 10mg Amitriptyline for pain relief before, and had to stop because I got so brain dead.
Swore I would never use them again.
However, headaches and other pain became tedious, so I had another go.
The brain fog / death was much less this time, but did strike with vengeance after 2 weeks.
So that, in connection with the fact that the pain wasn't sorted, has meant I've given up again.
I'll try Gabapentin next to try and stop pain, might work...............
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Thanks very much for all the replies. I have on them a week now and am sleeping much better. I usually only wake once a night now. However I do feel drowsy in the mornings, so I will have to see how things go and if I continue to feel too drowsy I will go back to my doctor again. I do get a dry mouth but I was getting that anyway due to one of the symptoms of the menopause.
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Hi Rosebush
I sleep for about 8 hours on average. When all my meno symptoms kicked off I wasn't sleeping at all, it was like torture. I do still have the occasional night that I do not sleep at all but on the whole I it's a lot better. I have thought about trying to wean myself off as have been on it for 2 years but couldn't handle not sleeping.
Lesley x
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Amitriptyline is an older AD - what they call one of the "tricyclic" anti depressants. They have been around for many years. They do make the mouth very dry, especially at the larger doses. They are also not that great at lifting depression, but they can help sleep - as you have discovered - they have a bit of a "hangover" effect.
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Blimey, 70mg :o
I take 10mg per night and it does help with sleep, but I have to take it by 6pm or I'm a bit of a zombie the next morning (can just about function by 10am). Did try 20mg but that was too much for me. Was supposed to help with pain but it didn't - although I guess if I can sleep better at night I can deal with the pain easier...
I did read somewhere it's used to stop bed-wetting ??? which may explain why I no longer need to get up in the night to visit the bathroom :)
Good luck with them :)
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Thanks for the replies. I may try 60 mg tonight and see how I feel tomorrow morning, go down in dose slowly.
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My husband took this briefly for trigeminal neuralgia as it works on nerve pain as well as being an antidepressant but he was sleeping all the time (he slept through an entire Xmas day on it!) so he stopped taking it. Pity really because it helped with the pain - he was just unable to stay awake!
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I only take 20mg each night to help with back pain and to make me sleep. It does both these things extremely well in my case. I do sometimes wake feeling a little light-headed but nothing that I can't cope with.
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Hi ladies. Like Greyhoundgal, I take 20mgs at night for pelvic pain, and I "zonk" out to a lovely night's sleep! I struggle to get up, but once I am up and about, there are no residual effects. The only thing is, they advise to "avoid alcohol if possible", so too much of "the little glass of wine", is a bit naughty!
MINNIE XXX
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Hi minnie thanks for your reply, it's nice to hear of someone else who seems ok on this medication.
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hi jeannea..iv been taking 50mg of amitriptyline for over 4 years now,for anxiety and depression after a break down I had while going through menopause .it has helped me makes me feel a lot calmer and I sleep better.still feel drowsy in a morning but wears off through the day ,,been on different,antidepressants after stopping them ..but I always go back on the amitriptyline..i cant tolorrate the ssri antidepressants cant take hrt ,so they are the only thing iv relied on ..hope they work for you x daisie
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Hi Daisie, thanks so much for your reply, like me then you are from England :) I live in Chelmsford, Essex.
I'm pleased to hear amitriptyline works for you. What time of the day do you take the 50mg, or is it taken over 2 times during the day? I take mine at nights which helps me sleep. I have added you to my buddy list, I would like to P.M. you, I guess you have to except my 'friends request' first then can we email privately do you know?
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I have nerve damage in my shoulder from a shoulder reconstruction. It wakes me up in the night as when I sleep on it for too long it goes numb. Instead of Amitriptyline I take Zispin a newer antidepressant 15mg it helps with the pain and helps me sleep. It is slightly sedative like Amitriptyline. Amtriptyline is horrid so the Pain Clinic suggested Zispin.
Jeanie, I am moving to near you South Woodham Ferrers. :)
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Hi Ellie
I've just invited you to be my buddy! Moving to SWF, that's where my daughter lives. :-) Let me know when you move, if would be nice to meet up. I am only about 30 minutes car drive away from SWF. Sorry to hear amitriptyline didn't work for you. I have never heard of Zispin sounds quite a good one. Do you get a lot of the awful hot flushes?
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Jeanie, Must eat then I will be online and sort this buddy thing :) Use to have horrid hot flushes but not since I have been on Femston. Yes it would be lovely to meet after we move we are putting an offer on a house in the next 2/3 weeks.
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Hi Ellie, I've never heard femston did you get that from your doctor?
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Jeanie, Yes Femston 2/10 is on prescription as HRT.
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Jeanne, added you as a buddy now :)
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hi jeannea..I take mine about 7 o clock at night just 1 tablet I have a good nights sleep once I drop off I don't wake while the next morning,not every one can tolerate this med.i cant take the ssri antidepressants tried them make me feel sick ,,how do you add to buddy list x daisie
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Hi ladies thanks for your replies and adding me to your buddies list hope we can catch up later? :) Is there a chat room on this site??
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hi jeanneA.i found the buddy list and added you..don't think theres a chat room..x daisie
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Hi Daisie I've just replied to your email. No don't look like there is a chat room on here. Never mind we can communicate via email. Thank you for making me your friend. :)
Jeanne