elavil question please valium question too

[lhmm]

I am trying very hard to tolerate the Elavil because I think it helps but when I take it..I have trouble swallowing and some reflux.I have attempted 4 times already and I only take 5ml...Does anyone take this small dosage and has anyone tried taking it every other night instead of every night???

thanks all

also has anyone tried valium for pain????

[kadi]

Hello Ihmm,
I started Elavil @ 10mg per night. It has been for me the most effective medicine in my IC treatment plan. I went from sleeping only 20 min at a time (I was voiding up to something like 50-60 times a day). The first night I took Elavil I slept 4 hours straight! After a week on the Elavil I was able to sleep 8 hours with only 1 wakeup. I was able to return to work within a week, even though I'd had laparoscopy that week also (I was initially misdiagnosed with endometriosis- which was ruled out by that laparoscopy, which led to referral to better urologist & prescription for Elavil).
My pain level went down after about 3 weeks on it.

I went up to 20 mg of Elavil after 5 months on 10mg. I did get some weight gain at that dosage, but it reduced my pain & frequency further. Compared to the misery I was in, I can live with the weight gain. (although grumpily at times) I think too, if I'd been more careful about portion sizes, I wouldn't have gained the 20lbs. My usual hunger/fullness signals don't work as well on it, so I need to use a more structured approach (food plan with preplanned quantities)

I don't know if every other night would work, you'll have to check that out with your doctor. Also be sure to tell him/her about the swallowing problem & the reflux! And if you're not on the diet, do try it--it works for a lot of us!

Good luck! Wishing you pain free days soon!