Weight Loss Problems?

[sami4]

For those of you who went off Elavil, did the weight fall off also or are you struggling to get it off?
Sammi

[bunnykinb]

Sammi,

How do you take Elavil as needed? I thought it takes about 2 weeks for it to start working?

[sami4]

Yes, to get the full and constant benefit of Elavil you have to take it for about two weeks. If you take it PRN, as I do, it still acts like a muscle relaxant, and pain killer, but probably not as efficient as if I kept a level built up in my system.
Hugs,
Sammi

[bunnykinb]

I stopped taking Elavil for 4 days and my burning came back full stream. I just took 1/4 tablet so as not to get so hungry, but 1/4 of 10 mg is not sufficient. I raised it to 5mg but still no help. Tonight, I'll try the prescription of 10 mg. I stopped it because I was tired of being so hungry.

In 4 days, I dropped 3 pounds. Since restarting and because of my burning, I haven't gained any weight but I noticed my butt still feels bigger.

[leelee88]

I use to take Elavil about 3 years ago and I gained 30 pounds, but as soon as I stopped it I lost 45 pounds... BUT within 9 months I was having full blown IC symtoms, and was dg shortly afterwords..I am back on Elavil and plan to stay on it... I have gained about 20 pounds and yes it upsets me..
But I will have to find othe ways to loose the weight, because I just cant handle the problems I have without taking it...

[shelbyriva]

Hi everyone,
Can someone tell me if Elavil (Amitriptyline) the pill causes weight gain or is because a side effect which makes you eat more so you gain weight? Is there another pain medication anyone takes that doesn't have weight gain side effects? Sorry I am new to all of this and not sure what I need, I don't want to take Amitriptyline because I hear you gain weight but not sure why one gains weight with it. I have Amitriptyline now......but would rather find an alternative that doesn't cause weight gain........any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks. Shelby

[kadi]

Dr Moldwin's book on Interstitial Cystitis says that Elavil causes weight gain due to increased appetite especially for sweets, but that it may slow the metabolism as well.

When I was on 10 mg for a year, I did not gain a pound. But when I went up to 20mg, I gained 35 lbs in 5 months. I got overconfident when I didn't gain on the 10mg & didn't watch myself closely enough on the 20mg. I have lost 12 of the 35 lbs and weight loss at this point is a fight. I used to be able to quickly drop a few pounds just by reducing desserts, but this is not working that way now.

I don't know how much of it is also though that I am much much more sedentary now due to the IC flares & my body fat is up to 40%, so of course it's hard to burn calories. It's hard to know if my metabolism has slowed since I got IC because of meds, lack of exercise, or just being 4 years older.
But it's no fun.

I do depend on the Elavil to manage my IC, so it has to stay. I just have to find some way to manage this weight thing while on it.

I would suggest to anyone who is considering starting Elavil, to keep a food diary for a week or so before starting, to have an idea of your normal portion sizes. And then after starting with the Elavil, monitor how much you are eating & weigh yourself at least once a week. Be careful. It's probably easier not to gain it than it is to lose the weight once it's on...

Hope it works out well for you,