Elavil

[JUICE118]

My Doctor Just Increased My Elavil Dose From The 25mg To 50mg. When I Was On The 25mg I Didn't Really Feel It Too Much And I Was A Little Tired My First Couple Days On It, But That Was It. I've Been Taking The 50mg For About A Week Now And I Can't Seem To Wake Up. Has Anybody Else Had This Problem And If So Does It Go Away And How Long Does It Take To Go Away? Only Meds I Take Is The Elavil, Elmiron, And Urelle.

[weezer]

I had the exact same problem with Elavil - I could not take the 50mg. without wanting to sleep all the time. It also made me have other side affects that were not pleasant at all. One was, it made me very depressed. That was a very long time ago, but I wouldn't touch that pill with a 10 ft. pole. It really scared me. Just my opinion.
Weezer

[sami4]

I love Elavil and have had excellent results in the pain and frequency area with it. It helps with urethral stinging and burning also. It started out taking 10 mg at night, then added 10 mg and now take the 25 mg at bedtime which helps me sleep.
I think the 25 to 50 was too big a jump. My Doc RX Elavil 10 mg and we added and subtracted as needed, you might even ask for a 10 mg RX to make the titrating easier.
Sammi

[jah]

I want to go off Elavil. I really am not happy with it, but I am afraid to go off it because either my symptoms are masked or I am in remission. How does one know? I do not like the side effects of Elavil. Has anyone gone off it successfully?

[sami4]

So why is this an either or decision? Why dont you just scale back your dose 5 mg a week until you start having symptoms again. You might find out you dont need the higher dose and may be more satisfied with the lower dose?
Sammie


Comment by ICNDonna: It is never a good idea to adjust dosage to a medication without consulting a medical professional first.

[ICNDonna]

Nobody should adjust their elavil dosage without first talking with a physician. If you wish to wean yourself away from it, ask your doctor for help. If you feel your dosage is too high, ask your doctor.

It may be that 50 mg. is too much for you. My suggestion is to telephone your doctor's office and let him/her know how it is effecting you. There may be a need for adjustment of dosage.

Warm hugs,
Donna

[kat]

PLEASE, do not go off Elavil without weaning yourself off it. I did it once on the advice of a pharmacist (who apparently knew nothing!) and had horrible anxiety attacks! Really scary! Your body becomes accustomed to the dosage you're taking and you need to go off it a little at a time. Definitely check with your dr. I'm back on the Elavil...this time without unbearable side effects and it's really helping me. I'm on 25 mgs a day. Funny how different I feel on it after a few years of not taking it. My mouth's a little dry but not bad...and occasionally I get a jones for sweets, but mostly I'm okay this time. Maybe another anti-depressant won't have the side effects you're getting on Elavil. Good luck!

[swarr]

You Are Right About Reducing It Gradually. It Gave Me Those Panic Attacks Too.

[sami4]

My doctor not only allows me to titrate the Elavil up and down but encourages it. The main thing though, is that it is done gradually in small increments until I find the dose that is working for me. I found out that if I have a problem during the day, 5 mg or half a ten mg pill will help the issue but not make me sleepy, where I need more at night.
Sammie

[Briza]

I agree with Donna that is best to talk with your doctor about increasing/descreasing your dosage of any medicine. I guess I am lucky that I rarely get side effects from the meds I take. I am prescribed 10 mg Elavil and it helps me most with frequency, sleeping thru the night, and vulvodynia burning, respectively. Since I only get occasional mini-flares now, I talked to my gyn and I am able to take Elavil as needed, since it starts working within a couple of days for me and I have no problems going off of it when I feel I don't need it. Sometimes I take it daily, other times every other day, sometimes I double the dose to 20 mg if I feel something coming on. Those days I do feel more groggy, but it helps to take it a dinnertime rather than right before bed. It has taken a couple of years to fine tune my meds, but pretty much have it worked out now where I know which med to take, when, and how often. Sometimes I only need only one of my meds, sometimes a couple, sometimes all of them, depending on my symptoms and their severity. I have never taken more than 20 mg a day, but can imagine that a jump to 50 mg without titrating slowly up to that dose would knock me out cold. Best wishes :)