Anyone on Nortriptyline?

[RAS6]

Hi all! I have been doing well on Elavil (I went from 6+ trips tto the toilet to 3-4), but after a few months taking it, it is making me SOOOOOOO sleepy. Even though I only took 20 mgs and I took it at 8:00pm I still am exhausted in the mornings, often falling asleep while taking care of my 2 year old (not a good thing!) and needing naps almost everyday. Because of this my new Doctor put me on nortriptyline. He said it works well for pain like Elavil, but is less sedative. His hope is that I will be able to take more in the evenings and use it occasionally during the day with my pain meds if needed. Has anyone been on this? I did read about it in the IC survival guide, but there wasn't much of a description. Any side affects or complaints? Any success stories?
Thanks!
-Rachel

[riag]

I have been taking nortriptyline since october. 10 mg. once a day. I also take 2mg of valium 3x day for pelvic spasms. My gyn prescribed the nortrip. instead of elavil because he says it has less side effects.

IN the beginning I was groggy, but I'm not sure if that was because of the nortrip. or the valium. Anyway, my body has adjusted to these meds and I am feeling so much better. I barely have any pelvic pain. I still have some vaginal and vulva pain and am still afraid to even try to have sex. I have also been using topical lidocaine 3x a day which has helped greatly.

The only side effects i seem to have now is some dry mouth. I dont know which med is causing it.

Good luck to you.

[RAS6]

I asppreciate your reply. I am filling the prescription and will start it tomorrow. I thought if it does make me tired at least it will be saturday and I won't have to get my daughter on the bus! I just saw an IC specialist and he brought up valium, but said we will see of the new meds help before we try it. I have similar symptoms as yours and can relate with the fear of sex. My husband and I have had to try other things for now. I have dry mouth alot too, but probably b/c of Elmiron.
Hope you can get more pain relief soon!

[sami4]

The dryness is caused by several medications given to ICers; antihistamines such as Atarax, Benedryl, bladder medications such as Detrol, Ditropan, Elavil. It is highly unlikely that Elmiron has anything to do with your dryness as it is not mentioned in the PDR as a side effect.
If you take more than one of these medications such as Atarax, elmiron and Detrol you are taking three drying medications every day.

[mayray518]

elavil saved my life as far as IC is concerned. There are side effects but I am now down to 5 mg and I have been in remission for 7 years. the tricyclics work on the nerve endings and, in my case, this was part of the problem. Good luck.

[Paininthe*.*]

elavil saved my life as far as IC is concerned. There are side effects but I am now down to 5 mg and I have been in remission for 7 years. the tricyclics work on the nerve endings and, in my case, this was part of the problem. Good luck.

Anyone know more about how trycyclics work? Are they just "masking" the pain, or do they actually help calm the bladder? How long have some of you taken them before you really started to notice a positive difference?

[Buckwheat]

:help: Has anyone experienced flares with spasms while taking Elavil? I tried 10 mg. last night and within 1 hr. began having spasms. Same thing happened when I tried Lexapro, Paxil, and Zoloft.

[Want2BPainFree]

I switched from Elavil to Nortriptylene b/c of the side effects of Elavil.
Very tired, couldn't function basically plus the weight gain. I gained 9 lbs in 30 days on Elavil.

I now take 25 mg of Nortriptylene, and I lost 4 lbs in one week once I switched. I have not had the tiredness or the weight gain. I have sometimes had a difficult time going to sleep lately, esp. in comparison to the Elavil which knocked me out cold within 30 minutes of taking it.

To answer buckwheat. I have not had any flares with spasms any greater than normal due to taking tricyclic antis.

I was originally prescribed Elavil for vulvodynia.

[bunnykinb]

Wanttobepainfree,

How long have you been on nortriptyline? I only take 5 mg of Elavil (originally prescribed 10mg), but I feel the need to eat all the time. I started Elavil 11/30/06 with 10 mg making me nauseated for 3 weeks, then the hunger pangs kicked in. I am only 5'2" and weight between 108 and 110. If I don't eat when my body wants to eat, I feel cranky like right now, but I can't eat all day. I just filled my Elavil generic.

I read that nortriptyline produces hunger cravings too.

Thanks,

[Want2BPainFree]

I switched over a month ago. I have no cravings, but I am constantly hungry. I eat something about every 3-4 hours to keep my mood in check. I think my blood sugar drops too low if I wait. And if I keep full with mini-meals, I don't overeat.

I am a lot bigger than you, though, at 147lbs and 5'7", so I don't know if maybe you just a much faster metabolism and your body is really needing the food rather than actual "cravings". Is it possible you don't eat enough b/c of IC? I find that is true for me with all this.

I also take 25 mg of Nort.

[bunnykinb]

See, you do feel hungry with nortriptyline. Are you able to control the hungries with this better than Elavil. I was just looking up what antidepressants work without weight gain or cravings. Wellbutrin and some other I never heard of.

Yippee, I am glad you posted fast. I have always watched my weight and if I gain a bit, I immediately cut down. Now, I want to eat not because I'm hungry. I am going to eat lunch now, yummy.

[Want2BPainFree]

I wasn't clear and I'm sorry for that. I'm working and typing on here.

I am always hungry anyway. That is why I eat every 3-4 hours, to keep that at bay.

I never noticed cravings or hunger in addition to what I had before when I was taking Elavil. What I noticed was that I was lazy, tired, slow-moving, basically lethargic. And when I could get up in the morning, it was all I could do to get going. Low energy. I think that Elavil caused me to gain weight b/c I was suddenly lazy on it. Like a vegetable.

On Nortriptyline, I have more energy, and I've had weight loss again, and it isn't so hard anymore to control my weight with food management. I am just more active.

I don't have cravings so to speak, not on either med, so I'm not sure I can really answer that specific part. However, I think that if you feel bad on Elavil, switch for a month and see if you like Nort better. I know I do. I saw no difference in its effect on pain. Does the same. Just the side effects are improved or nil for me.

[bunnykinb]

I normally eat every 2-3 hours anyway because I would get hungry. But, with Elavil, I don't feel full.

Thanks.

[Lishypaz]

My doc suggested noritriptylin (sp?) as well. I currently take both celexa and elavil and I am quite sleepy as well. The one great thing is that for years I never slept more than 3-4 hours, and now I definitely need 8!!!! Its hard to get used to, but there are worse things. I have also gained a significatn amount of weight--both elavil and gabapentin have than side effect--I'm talking 30 lbs. in just a matter of a few months. I have no energy because of the pain, and although I am an administrator for a SACC program in an Elementary School where I am required to be moving around a lot, I am still not losing weight! I am hoping the with the noritriptyline things will improve. Let me know your results, please. Rachael, it sounds like we are seeing the same specialist at Strong--did he suggest an interstim for you? How about pelvic floor massage?

[RAS6]

Lish, I have only seen Dr. Mayer once. He is recommending Pelvic Floor relaxation therapy and massage. I am having a hard time finding anyone who does it in my area (I am closer to Buffalo than Rochester) and may have to see the PT they suggested at Strong. It is so hard for me to drive that far though! He didn't bring up Interstim, which I was happy about. I haven't been able to try many therapies b/c I was seeing Docor's who offered little in the area of treatment options. I definately want to try PT and oral meds before considering interstim, but that is just me. I was only officially diagnosed in September and it seems like interstim would be too drastic for me right now. The majority of my complaints are pain, however I do have to take any where from 15 to 30 trips to the bathroom every day, just depends on the day and how I feel. I have lost 5 of the 10 pounds I gained on Elavil since taking the Nortriptyline. I really do not feel starving anymore like I used too and the sugar cravings are gone as well. I still get up once or twice, but that beats 6 times, and it really helps me get back to sleep quickly. I hope you are able to get some relief. I am so glad to meet someone else who goes to my specialist. I work with schildren part time right now and am so anxious to getinto a school by fall (I am a certified teaching assistant) I hope I will be able to get back to "normal" soon. It has been a very rough past 8 months or so. I can't remember the last time I had a pain free day!

[pingpong]

I started taking nortriptylene many years ago as an antidepressant, and I discovered that my IC symptoms went away. However, after about 10 years, it stopped being effective for the IC, even at a very high dose. I also had the dry mouth and weight gain from it, so I gave up on it. I started taking Prosed, which worked well but was pulled from the market. Then I took Urelle until [I]it[I] was pulled from the market! So now I'm on 50 mg of elavil at night, and I'm feeling pretty good. I didn't think it would work, since the nortriptylene had stopped working and they are pretty similar, but so far I'm feeling pretty good.

[bunnykinb]

Rachel,

How many mg are you taking of nortriptyline and how long have you been taking it? I was on Elavil for 3 months without weight gain, then suddenly I started getting the sugar cravings which make me want to eat all the time. I have felt better while on Elavil, but I don't want to get fat in the process.

I am petite and small bone. To start gaining weight would be awful. Besides, the doctor had told me that I had a tilted uterus and to keep weight down otherwise, excessive weight would cause my uterus to tilt more and cause added pressure on the bladder.

Thanks.

[RAS6]

Bunnykinb,
I started taking Nortriptyline about 5 weeks ago. I started with 10mgs and was up to 30 mgs within two weeks. Like I said I have lost a little over 6 pounds now. The only thing I changed was the meds. I still have pain relief and only get up two times or so during the night. While I have heard that some poeple still gain weight on the Nortriptyline, that hasn't been the case for me. It may be worth a try for you....
I am also quite petite (5'2") and I am not thrilled with my weight now as it is..exercising is impossible right now beyond yoga because of all the apin I am in. So I understand how you feel. While pain relief is a priority for us, excessive weight gain can cause even more medical problems for us.
Good luck!

[bunnykinb]

Rachel,

I am only 5'2" as well and have been at the same likeable weight for the past 17 years, most of my married life, except for pregnancies and over eating while working at fast food place in early 20's. People say I am too thin, but I don't want to gain weight because as it is, the United States population is overweight. I used to be able to feel my shoulder blade bone but now I can't. My boobs have gotten bigger too which my hubby doesn't mind.

Do you think you could PM me or do another thread at the antidepressant location to let myself and others know how you are doing after being on nort..... for awhile? Again, I didn't get the sweet cravings until after being on Elavil for 3 months. I know that you have only been on nort... for 5 weeks. I hope you don't, but maybe the cravings will kick in later.

Thanks!!!!

[soccermom32]

My doctor just put me on Nortriptyline today starting at 10mg at bedtime. I have nerve pain, and I think that is the basis of my entire problem. I've had numerous abdominal surgeries, 2 difficult childbirths then a staph infection in my bladder that just did me in. My nerves through my whole pelvic region have gone haywire!!!

I asked him for Elavil, but he said "no" to that one. He said there are too many side effects and Nortriptyline, for whatever reason, is actually better for IC. So we shall see!

I am currently on Wellbutrin and will be weaning off that over the next 20 days. I was put on that after my last baby. It does NOTHING for IC or pain.

[bunnykinb]

It is great that your uro actually voiced his opinion on elavil. Mine didn't even say anything about the weight gain side effects caused by cravings. He already knew I was concerned about weight gain when my DMSO has steroids.

[bunnykinb]

The nurse asked the uro about less side effects and weight gain with nortriptyline or lexapro rather than Elavil. I was prescribed 10 mg nortriptyline.

How is everyone doing on this?

[bunnykinb]

I know my friend tells me not to read all the side effects of any medication unless I am truly having some problems. But, I read that amtriptyline and nortriptyline can have confusion as a side effect. Anyone had that problem?

Sometimes I feel that my head is not all there, but it seems to be present whenever I have my urethral burning. Maybe it is because I don't feel good.:loco:

[Angeles]

Besides effect on weith gain, is what are the diferences between Elavil (amytriptiline) and Northryptiline?

I've started taking Elavil only 5 mg in Decemeber 06 ( I weith 100lb) and that worked well for me for over 1 month for V V.
Now I'm taking 15mg and I've been having V V flares here and there.

I wouldn't want to take more than 20 mg of Elavil a day for this.

I'm not so worry about weith gain, I'm really looking for pain relief and improvement of symptoms. The side effect that concerns me the most is dryness, specially Dry Eye and other eye related side effects (which I'm more subsetible to)

[bunnykinb]

My left eye has a dry eye but that was going on before the Elavil. I have only been on Nortriptyline for about a week. I was good last week but today I have burning. It isn't the urethra, it is the sides, I guess that is called the labia? Could this burning feeling in that area be vv? So far, I haven't been hungry yet on nortriptyline. It took 3 months before Elavil made me hungry. From 11/30/07 to when I stopped it around 1-2 weeks ago, I had only gained 3 pounds, but I didn't want to keep gaining. It will be awhile to see if the nortriptyline will cause cravings. I have noticed that when I take nort... I don't get as sleepy or don't feel as tired as Elavil.

[Hollyd]

just wanted to share that part of the weight gain, part only, is pure water build up and that is why some of your weight comes right off when you stop taking it. That is the water, not fat. the fat of course takes longer.

[RAS6]

I started waking up with heart palpitations (and it was not a panic attack, it felt different and I am on anti anxiety meds) Also, I was getting horrible ringing in my ears, to the point were it was interfering with my hearing. So anyways, I stopped two weeks ago when I ran out and the symptoms I described went away. No more ringing ears, no more waking up with heart palpataions. I am giong to talk to my Doc about it on Thursday, but I think I will have to either keep taking Valium at night, or try something different. Elavil is out, and now probably Nortriptyline too! Ugh! I seem to get side affects on almost everything! Some are bearable, others, like the sleepiness on Elavil, and the ear ringing and palpitations on Nortriptyline, aren't bearable. IC has so much trial and error, I hate feeling like such a human guinea pig!

[RAS6]

My Doctor has had me stop the Nortiptyline and wants me to try Elavil again, but ONLY 10mgs this time, and only at bedtime combined with Valium and a new med, Orphendrine Citrate, if needed. Hopefully I won't be eating everything in site again! I am to the point where the pain is so bad I almost don't care if I gain the 10 lbs back! My carzy husband thinks I look beter now 20 lbs heavier than when he met me, so that is a relief. I just don't want to get too big. I am already a size 8/10, 140 lbs and am only 5'2". But if we can get my pain under control I can get back to exercising again!
Thanks for the support and info while I was on the Nortiptyline.

[bunnykinb]

Rachel,

About a month after being on Elavil, I stopped having burning for 2 months, but then the cravings kicked in and I started gaining weight. I stopped Elavil in April and my burning is back. I started nortriptyline 4/26/07 and have been on it over a month now. I am still having burning everyday. I think it was the Elavil that helped with the burning. But, it was sure awful being so hungry. So far, nortriptyline hasn't caused any cravings. I am 5'2" and weight 108 but I had a really bad stomach ache and pain probably from the Vesicare which has not helped with my frequency at all after 3 weeks.

No fun for any of us. Can you believe my uro did a cystoscopy in the office (no hydro) and said my bladder looked better and I was better than I thought. Yet, why on earth do I still have my burning? Urethral burning up the roof.

[sami4]

If none of the treatments seem to be working for you, then it is time to consider another source of your problem other than urethra and bladder.
I had very bad nocturia as well as urethral stinging and vulvar burning.
Turned out the nocturia was due to two sleep disorders that were only uncovered after a night in the sleep lab and not my bladder at all. The urethral problems turned out to originate in pelvic floor spasms causing urethral symptoms and burning in and around the vulva due to irritations to the nerves.
so, if the usual stuff has no effect, look into pelvic floor disorders and vulvar problems, you may be surprised at what you find.
Sammi

[bunnykinb]

I have a gyno appointment this Friday. I had seen one 3 years ago and had mentioned that I had frequency. So right away the doctor gave me a questionnaire and said IC. He didn't even looked into any problems that could be female related and not just the bladder. I see the only female gyno within my insurance coverage. I want to discuss my female area and try to leave the discussion of IC out.

Can a gyno be a pelvic floor specialist or is that a completely different area?

[sami4]

Well, my experience with Gynos has been that most of them are pretty ignorant of pelvic floor disorders, and the majority of them are about 10 years behind on their knowledge of hormones. A lot of them are "cookbook" doctors and if something isnt text book they are baffled? For instance, if you have a few yeast infections, they treat with Diflucan. But, if you start having re-occuring yeast infections they dont seem to know what to do and most dont ever test for other types of Candida.
The smartest cookie I have met so far was my vulvar specialist.
Sammi

[bunnykinb]

I have never heard of a vulvar specialist. Who recommended one? I have Pacificare HMO. Today at work, I had to put some ice because my burning is so bad.

[sami4]

Bunny, vulvar disorders are a specialty of Gynecology. You can find one from the American Association of Gynecologists web site, or call your Gyno and ask if they know one? If you live near a university teaching and medical center they probably have one on staff.
If your vulvar area is burning you might try a RX for Elavil which works very well for nerve burning.
Sammi

[bunnykinb]

Sammi,

How would a gyno diagnose any vulvar problems? I went to a gyno on Friday. She said she didn't see any noticeable inflammation, irritation, or redness in the labias, clitoris, and vagina. She also did a vaginal exam, checked my ovaries and uterus. She did some swabs for slides. She said overall, my entire vaginal area inside and out looked good. The lab results will come in 7 days. She didn't prescibe me anything because she wants to see lab results first.

Is the cream you use called Elmiron cream?

I felt so frustrated that everything looked well despite me having burning on Thursday. When I went into the gyno Friday, I didn't have any pain. Today, I have some slight burning. I got teary eyed at the doctor's too. I told her that the pain isn't in my head.

Boo for me.

[bunnykinb]

Oh, I am sorry, I thought you wrote Elmiron cream. I had taken Elmiron 2 times before and both times I felt throat tightness. I had an endoscope and nasal scope to rule out any other problems. My primary care doctor said it was problably from the Elmiron.

[sami4]

Sounds to me like your Gyno did a pretty good job of examining you?
VV is a disease, much like IC that has a variety of symptoms and they are not the same in every woman.
After a complete exam to rule out hormonal deficit, and disease states in the vulvar and vaginal area. The doctor will do a Q-Tip test. They take a Q-tip and apply light pressure around the vestibule. Many women report feeling something like a sharp, stabbing pain or other exagerrated symptoms in response to the light touch. This indicates nerve damage or some sort.
They will run a finger around the internal pelvic floor and feel for tight, bands of contracted muscles that could be causing pains. They take your complaint of pelvic pain very seriously and you will not feel it is "all in your head." Some women report pain with sex, others do not. It depends on where the muscles and nerves are spasmed.
My symptoms were burning, redness around the vulva, and burning and stinging after urinating. Also shooting spasms in what I thought was my bladder but turned out to be pelvic floor spasms. When the pelvic floor spasms were treated with Elavil and PT, the symptoms went away.
I found out I am highly sensitive to estrogen drops, when my estrogen gets low to either taking a progestin or HRT that is not being absorbed properly or high enough dose, I get miserable VV symptoms. The symptoms of the red, burning vulva go away like magic when I get a high enough estrogen dose. Thats why I opted for a hysterectomy 13 weeks ago.
I believe my vulvar nerves were damaged by a bout of chronic yeast infections. In fact 62% of women with VV have had problems with chronic yeast infections. Other things that can cause VV are surgical trauma to nerves, back an coccyx problems (pelvic nerves run through there), sports trauma such as horseback riding or bike riding, virus like herpes.
VV is diagnosed when all the other possibilites are ruled out. Sometimes you cant point to a specific cause, you just have pain.
Hope this answers some of your questions?
Sammi

[bunnykinb]

Sammi,

I am sorry, I misread your RX of Elmiron instead of Elavil. I was on Elavil from 11/30/06-3/30/07, I was feeling better overall, but was getting really hungry all the time. So, I switched to its family member nortriptyline. I have been on it from 4/26/07 until present. I have no relief from it, and haven't had any hunger pangs. I think I'll ask the uro about switching back to Elavil and try and deal with the hunger. My vulva area did not have any redness at all, and I didn't have any thin lining. I wish I had pain when I went in but I didn't. Just my luck.

Your explanation of things was extremely informative. I have had bouts of yeast infections in the past as well as frequent urinary infections. I think it has something to do with my immunity yet no doctor has thought that. I used to get UTIs, then yeast infections, sinus infections, ear infections, and throat infections. Then, my bladder started acting up in Dec. 2003. I also used to get lots of colds but since my IC has taken over, I haven't had a cold all year. It seems really weird.

I look forward to more replies.

[bunnykinb]

I have been on nortriptyline since 4/26/07 without any relief, does this mean it won't work for me? Shouldn't it only take a month?

[Angeles]

I haven't taken nortryptiline but I'm taking Elavil. I think it helps. I have the same VV symptoms described by sammi burning and redness, pain after urination, all as result of chronicn yeast infections.
I gained some weight since I'm on Elavil but now I know I have to watch what I eat and try to eat as healthy as possible. If I get hungry I eat something healthy, a cup of cottage cheese or glass of milk do a good job in keeping hunger away and are a good source of calcium, fruits like gala apples or bananas sometimes. I can't afford eating sugar b/c of yeast problems, and I love sweets, but I worked hard to get to a point in which I just say no to every pie, cheesecake, cakes and cookies etc especially at work when people nicely come and offer them right in my face. I hope I can control the weight issue with Elavil b/c I don't want to stop it b/c it helps.
I would give nortryptiline a try for a maybe 10 more days I think you should see some improvbement if not talk to your dr.
Good luck:)

[bunnykinb]

I run out of nortriptyline 6/26/07. I am wondering to refill for another month or go back to Elavil. I ordered Cysta Q yesterday.

[Angeles]

I was wondering yesterday if the gain weight issue with Elavil was due to just getting hungrier. I've learned today from teh "interstitial Cystitis Surv.." book that it is both it makes you hungrier and it slows down the metabolism (voila!). Mistery solved. It is probbably the case with other tryciclic...that I don't know. It even tells you to think twice before eating a cookie b/c that may equal 2-3 cookies :-(
I just wanted to share what I was asking myeself for a while.

Regardless, I'll stick to Elavil for now and to my plan of just watching more what I eat specially when it comes to sweets and not very nutricious stuff.

[**Angie**]

I have ZERO willpower while taking Elavil or Nortriptyline. I've gained gobs of lbs from both. :(

[bunnykinb]

I have been on 10mg nortriptyline for 2 months and so far I haven't had any cravings nor any weight gain. Of course, I was on Elavil for 3 months before the outrageous hunger pangs started happening.

Nortriptyline hasn't helped yet with pain. I'll be asking the uro for a higher dosage.

[bunnykinb]

Has anyone had any blurred vision while on nortriptyline?

[Angeles]

I had eye pain with 20mg or 15 mg of Elavil but it went away when I lowered the dosis to 5mg or 10 mg.

Blurred vison could be a result of Nortyptiline or anotehr medication. It could also be that you are having dry eyes b/c of medications. I suggest you to start using lubricant eye drops such as systayne and check with your ophtalmologist.

[NicoleB]

i went off of elavil (50mg) because of weight gain, and went on 30mg of nortryptiline. having less of a dose means a little more pain, though i started cystoprotek a few weeks ago, hoping to fill in the gap. my pain is decreasing every week, so that makes me think that they cystoprotek is working. anyhoo, even on half the dose of Tricyclics, i'm STILL gaining weight! ever since the elavil switch to NOrtriptyiline, i feel like i'm eating less and have less cravings, which is great, but still, i'm gaining pounds. i dont know what to do. the trycyclics really do give me relief. i'm going to give it a few months, maybe even go down to 20mg. if i'm still getting fatter, i may have to ditch it all together and try neurontin.

[bunnykinb]

The opthamalogist did say I have dry eyes and to keep my eyes lubricated especially when I wear my contacts. She also said that at 40, eyes don't focus as well. To me, 40 isn't old, but yet I am already classified as old eyes. My prescription hasn't changed for years now; I can't focus as well though. I have taken Yasmin birth control for years but that isn't the cause.

I haven't gained any weight so far on 2 months of 10 mg of nortriptyline; however, I feel my breast have become slightly bigger. I was taking vesicare, but it caused too much constipation and the only other meds are Yasmin and nortriptyline. Since I have been on Yasmin for awhile, could it be the nortriptyline? My urethral pain hadn't subsided being on 2 months of nortriptyline while only after 2 weeks, 10 mg of Elavil helped me with pain for 2 months until I became so hungry and started gaining weight. I think this med only comes in capsules, right? I took 10 mg plus 1/2 another capsule by emptying out half of the powder. So, at 15 mg for the past three nights, I have noticed my pain has decreased greatly. I don't know if this med comes in 15 mg.

[NicoleB]

The opthamalogist did say I have dry eyes and to keep my eyes lubricated especially when I wear my contacts. She also said that at 40, eyes don't focus as well. To me, 40 isn't old, but yet I am already classified as old eyes. My prescription hasn't changed for years now; I can't focus as well though. I have taken Yasmin birth control for years but that isn't the cause.

I haven't gained any weight so far on 2 months of 10 mg of nortriptyline; however, I feel my breast have become slightly bigger. I was taking vesicare, but it caused too much constipation and the only other meds are Yasmin and nortriptyline. Since I have been on Yasmin for awhile, could it be the nortriptyline? My urethral pain hadn't subsided being on 2 months of nortriptyline while only after 2 weeks, 10 mg of Elavil helped me with pain for 2 months until I became so hungry and started gaining weight. I think this med only comes in capsules, right? I took 10 mg plus 1/2 another capsule by emptying out half of the powder. So, at 15 mg for the past three nights, I have noticed my pain has decreased greatly. I don't know if this med comes in 15 mg.

my doc said it comes in 10, 25, and 50mg.

i'm taking 30mg right now (3 10mg capsules)

i'm still having more cravings than i'd like, (not nearly as bad as elevil though) so i might cut down to 20. the good thing is, since i've upped my atarax, and started taking cystoprotek, i've been feeling better even though i'm only on 30mg of nortryptiline. ( used to be on 50 of elavil) so i'm guessing those two pills are filling the gap. if cystoprotek continues to give me releif, i may cut down on Trycyclics as low as possible or try neurontin.

[bunnykinb]

I was thinking about the Cystoprotek, but have read posts about the tummy getting upset on it or acid reflux. How long have you been on Cystoprotek?

[NicoleB]

i've been on it for about 3 weeks or a month. its hard to tell what is helping me, but SOMTHING is! i cut down on nortriptiline so i expected more pain, and there was.

then to make up for it, i upped my atarax, and at the same time, started cystoprotek. now, as time goes on, i feel more and more better. its hard to tell if it was the increase in atarax, or the addition of cystoprotek, or both. either way, i'm happier. Cystoprotek never bothered my stomach, but then again, i seem to have a cast-iron gut and nothing really ever bothers my stomach. its worth a try. i would say, if atarax or other antihistamines seem to help you, then its good evidence that you have a mast cell issue. Cystoproteck also works on mast cells, almost like an herbal atarax. I can tell you that i used to have stabby back pain that flared up when my bladder got bad. Elavil didnt help it, but when i added the atarax to the mix, it cured my back pain. i would say almost every day i was having this aweful lower back pain...and now, i dont have it anymore! all i can think is that the atarax calmed down an inflamed nerve that may have been connected to my back from my bladder.

[bunnykinb]

I took atarax for a year and it didn't help at all. How many mg of nortriptyline do you take?