Stopping Elavil - anyone?

[theclownster]

Hi all! I saw my urologist this week. I've been having some difficulties for quite some time in terms of gaining lots and lots of weight. I've also been extremely tired. He suggested we try taking me off the Elavil and see if that helps. For the most part, if I take my meds I do pretty good in terms of my IC. So, I'm just wondering how this is going to go and if my symptoms will return. Has anyone done this and had a successful outcome? As of right now, I'm cutting my pills in half. In about a week, he wants me to stop taking them and see what happens. I'm willing to try it, but I won't lie - I'm nervous as to what it could do long term in regards to my symptoms. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!

Warm regards,
Jennifer

[tigger_gal]

(((((jen))))) I stoped mine because I was mean on them.. Its been 4 years so I can't remember if I was worse or better when I stopped taking them.

good luck.

[ICNDonna]

If your symptoms worsen after you stop, you can always go back on it.

Donna

[Prissie]

I also stopped because of the weight gain. I feel that I improved after stopping.

[theclownster]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate your replies. I hoping all goes well. I'll keep you posted.

Have a great day!
Jennifer

[windwalker]

Hi Clownster!!! :) I stopped taking them because they made me no better or no worse. Didnt have any trouble getting off them. Good luck and like Donna said you could always go back on em ;)

[Rosalie]

I'm having trouble with the weight gain as well but it helps so much with the pain that I'm not game to stop taking it.

[Lyn40]

I stopped for 4 weeks one time. My mother was in her last days of cancer and I needed to be more alert at night to take care of her. I definitely slept less, but my IC symptoms were no better or no worse.

Lyn

[Sarojini]

Hi Jen -- I've never taken Elavil, because I cannot take any antidepressants due to another condition I have, but I hope you have good luck with stopping. I'll be thinking of you and hoping this doesn't cause a major flare-up!!! :grouphug:

[JaniceB]

Hi Jennifer, I wonder if another option would be trying a lower dose? I don't know what dosage you are on now but I started at 10mg and have read about some people taking even less than that. Have you been on it for a long time?

I went from 10mg-75mg over the course of 6 weeks for study purposes. . am now back down to 25mg and I think that is where I am going to stay unless I get in a flare. I know what you mean as I was really nervous going from 50mg down to 25mg but so far its been fine.

Janice

[theclownster]

Hi everyone! Thanks for you feedback. I appreciate it. I think I've been on elavil for about 1 1/2 years. I originally did not think that pain was one of my symptoms, but after being put on Elavil my pain (that I got so used to and didn't realize it was there) disappeared and I realized that I had really been in pain. So far, things are going pretty well - I think. I have a pretty bad headache right now and my lower back is feeling a little pain, but that could be from anything. I'm having a pretty stressful week - and to be honest I'm kind of overwhelmed with everything I have to get done this week. This probably wasn't a good time to stop a medication. I think he told me to cut the pill in half for a week and then stop taking it. I'm not sure I'd be okay cutting it out completely yet.

The other big change in my life is that I made the decision last week to change my primary care doctor. This was very difficult for me - brought tears to my eyes, but in the end I think it will be best. I'm going to see the new primary care doctor this upcoming Friday. I'm wondering what I should do in terms of the Elavil. Depending on how I feel tomorrow, I'll plan to call my urologist and see what he says. I have not met the new primary care doctor nor do I know anything about her. That's kind of scary. I called a surgeon who I trust (he referred me to my current uro which I really like) and he suggested this person. She's like 2 miles from home - which is awesome. I just hope she's good and listens to me. I'm trying to be hopeful.

Well, I appreciate everyone's feedback. If need be, I'll probably ask to go back on the elavil. The doctor also told me that he could up my atarax and that might help. I was on 25mg of both meds (Elavil and Atarax). So with cutting the Elavil pill in half I guess that puts me at 12.5 mg (roughly).

I'll keep you all posted.

Thanks again!
Jennifer