amitriptyline (elavil)

• By CC
• Posted October 29, 2007 at 9:36 am
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Long before I was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis, I was put on low-dose elavil to manage the pain of arthritis--It was helpful in that way, but not better than glucosamine-chondritin, and I put on about 20 lbs which is a common side effect from elavil. I'm sorry I don't know anything about its affect on cough.
cc

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• By Dawn1973
• Posted October 29, 2007 at 9:36 am
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Hello Brown
Elavil is a tri-cyclic antidepressant. Not sure how this would help with coughs. This and other tri cyclics male me absolutely neurotic!!! shakes, aggitation, can't walk straight, the whole 9 yards. Was on nortriptyline before for depression and ended up in the hosp to get off of it as the last thing I recall was trying to put my head through a brick wall!!! Then a lovely neurologist about 10 years or so ago who thought my headaches were literally all in my head (turned out to be double migraines (on both sides)) and instead of looking at the fact that the nortrypteline set me off before, he gave me amitriptyline and called it Elavil and on day 1 I had bad side effects. Just be careful with this one please and ask the pharmacist about possible side effects. I have had several friends with legitimate symptoms who have been given tri-cyclic anti-depressants just to shut them up. proceed with caution and be sure to do your research!!!!
Be well
Dawn

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• By Cathy5
• Posted October 29, 2007 at 9:54 am
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Hi, I was using amitriptyline as the neurologist thought it would help build up pain tolerance because I have migranes. I was on it a couple of weeks and had routine blood work done. My liver enyzymes were 4 times normal. My primary dr. told me to stop it and we repeated the blood work which then came out fine. Just be careful. Medications work differently in everyone. I was upset to stop taking it because the migranes were killing me and I had hoped that would help. If it works for you then great but make sure you get blood work done regularly. Cathy

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• By RFischpera
• Posted October 29, 2007 at 10:06 am
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Cathy
I been on amitriptyline 50mgs at night to help with leg pain. It really works well I just take it earlier around 7:30 pm so I don't sleep to long the next morning. I tried requip for my legs but that did not help. I have many blood tests done over the past 4 weeks and all levels are normal. My the drug works on different people differently.
Rick

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• By singernomore
• Posted October 31, 2007 at 11:48 pm
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my cough is not too bad right now, so can't offer any personal experience.


there have been some studies concerning the effectiveness of amitriptyline with "sensory neuropathic cough" - some reasonable results, though the issue appears to need more study. since the drug is likely to help w/ any pain you might be experiencing, seems like it might be a reasonable one to try.

let us know if it helps.

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• By chrystallblu
• Posted November 8, 2007 at 6:23 pm
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Hi,

I read "Dawns" reply which prompted me to write this to you.

Though I swore I would not take any more drugs I did this week. I saw my Pulmonologist on Monday (November 5th) he talked me into trying this drug. He is a great young doctor dont get me wrong, but when someone is telling you it will help your sarc and the chronic fatigue that goes along with the disease it is tempting. Well, anyways, I took it Monday night (50mg) I fell into a comatose state for 3 hours. I awoke and felt drugged but only wished I could fall back to sleep. When I went to work Tuesday morning I was a 1/2 hour late due to my drugged condition. So, Tuesday night I took the drug and again fell into a comatose sleep for only 2 hours and again could not fall back to sleep. I got to work looking like I had one hell of a night and I had an over whelming feeling of being scared and I was trembling at times. I called the doctors office and he immediately called me back. I am not taking the drug at this point.

My Chiropractor tells me to say NO to the drugs and that I should go thru my accupuncturist for nutritional, herbs and vitamin advice etc..

So, here I am just telling you it did not make me feel well at all. I believe the drug would have made my mind insane. So please be careful. Also if you take this drug, your Liver Profile (blood work) needs to be done the first month. Please let us know how the drug works out for you.

Chrystallblu

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• By Dawn1973
• Posted November 9, 2007 at 4:48 pm
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Hi
Just as an add in here....... for really bad coughing at night my doc gives me vicodin 7.5 mg pills and it works.(I am allergic to codeine cough syrup). Vicadin also helps with the pain too!!!
Be well
Dawn

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• By SharonLauger
• Posted November 11, 2007 at 9:48 pm
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I took this drug for migraines several years ago, and came off it when we learned it made my panic attacks unbearable, a fact the psychiatrist didn't share but was treating with another drug. We fired him! The panic attacks stopped when the Elavil did. The migraines are still with me, but are getting a different treatment. Elavil does affect the sleep cycle. It is often used with fibromyalgia because it supposedly helps the patient fall into a stage 4 sleep wherein fibers can heal. My sister found Ambien more useful. My Sarcoid doctor says my sleep studies show chronic pain keeps me from falling into deeper stages of sleep but to not take sleep medication.

On a positive note, I have been doing much better so I know from personal experience that we can improve. I am not all better. I have just been having a whole lot of better days.

Love to all of us,
Sharon

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