New to Elavil-should i be worried

[cosette]

Hi all-
I started a generic brand of Elavil a week ago, and I seem to be doing loads better. i do, however, seem to have noticeable constipation. My last movement was Wednesday...should I be worried?
Does the constipation ease up with time?
is there a safe and effective way to manage it?

I'm not interested in changing meds just yet, as this seems to really be helping.:pray:

Please let me know what helps.

Thank you!

[leelee88]

cosette,
elavil is great!!... but constipation is a side effect from elavil, I would suggest try stool softners, thats what helps me.... But you should talk to your dr and tell him about the constipation, he could give you something like zelnorm for it..

[Freckles]

I suggest flax seed. Buy some flax seed from a vitamin store and keep it in your fridge or it will go rancid. Just grind up a bit each week and store that in there too. Mix it in your cereal, yogurt, meatloaf, and other foods. It is nutty tasting, great for you and will definitely cure the constipation problem.
Karen

[Freckles]

Has anyone gotten really bad twitches from taking cymbalta? I started on 60mg and took myself off after about 3 weeks because I could no longer stand the terrible twitching I had. I asked my pain doctor if it was the fentynl patches and he said no, so the only other new pain med was the cymbalta..... anyone heard of this?
Karen

[cosette]

Thanks, Freckles.
My PT suggested making a paste of bran, applesauce, and prune juice that you store in your fridge... maybe I'll look into the flax.

Tell me not to worry about the constipation. I've had 2 movements this week, but again, last one was Wednesday, and not too substantial.
I had some pelvic floor pain, but physical therapy yesterday quickly relieved that.
Whew!
All this stuff just really gets crazy at times, you know?

But I'm pleased the elavil is working...

[cosette]

Thanks, Ronda!

[leelee88]

Karen, I did have twitches when I first started cymbalta.. But the twitches have gone away now, and im on 60mg.. to me dealing with the twitches was nothing compared to the pain I was having before cymbalta...

[Freckles]

Okay maybe I'll keep taking the cymbalta then. Did it help your pain a lot? I really want to get off of all the pain patches I am on. I am tired of feeling like a drug addict. I would rather be on an antidepressant then the fentynl patches. I'll keep taking the cymbalta and hope the twitches stop. They were freaking me out. I couldn't sleep because every time when I got relaxed I would twitch awake. I'll start back tonight. I'm glad you responded.
And about the flax seed. I order mine from a mill in Georgia called Nora mill. They have a web site. It is very fresh and even with shipping is cheaper than I have ever found in a store, they also have a lot of other grains etc.
Just remember to store in the freezer or fridge. I use my coffee grinder to grind it up. It definitely will keep your motor running if you know what I mean.
Happy Holidays!
Karen

[leelee88]

Karen,
The Cymbalta helped my pain so much I went from 3 pain pills a day to just taking maybe a half every now and then, and the pain I have is just a little ache, nothing like the pain I was having..

As far as the twitching it would affect me when I would get still, like laying in bed or the recliner..
I think im going to try the flax seed to....:smile tee

[Freckles]

Okay, you convinced me. I'm going to go back on the cymbalta. I have been out of work because of the terrible shape I'm in but I will give the cymbalta another try. My doctor said to stop the elavil, but I had to go back on the elavil and still take the cymbalta. Without the elavil I was up peeing again all night. So now I'll just take both and hope it's okay. I want to go back to work so bad. I am so bored with staying at home. I know though if I got a job now I couldn't keep it. I was layed off from my last job because of this stinking disease. And I worked for a friend of mine. Some friend. Thanks so much for responding. How long did it take the cymbalta to start working for you?
Karen

[Cahyah]

so people have had success on elavil, yes? i am starting 25mg tonight, i hope it helps me sleep, andi hope it helps these darn pangs to go to the bathroom and this frequency!!!! its ridiculous! has anyone else had help with frequency from elavil? what else did it help> :help: :angel: :confused: