Elavil

[Jenny76]

Quick question,

How does Elavil cause weight gain? Is it because it makes you hungry or does it just mess with your metabolism? Anyone know????

[Bessie]

I can't take it because it messes with my blood pressure but from what I have heard from others who take it.....they crave sweets so bad!!!! Most people do gain some weight while on it. I think it does help with the pain so I guess it is a trade off. I have an Aunt who took it for depression and it really did help her with it. Good Luck :)

[Jenny76]

My bp is extremely low but I have heart palpitations a lot so I wonder if it might be bad for me. Hummmmmm...

[Bessie]

You would just need to check with your doctor about that. Let us know what you decide.

[Jenny76]

I'm afraid to try as I was on Paxil for 12 years and had terrible problems coming off of it. I will talk to my dr and let you know.

[bunnykinb]

How low is your blood pressure? Mine is about 90/45.

[NicoleB]

as for your weight question, i've heard both theories. mostly it just makes you hungry and crave carbs. but it can also slow down metabolic processes. its still worth a try though, and if you find your weight is hard to control, you can go off it.

[bunnykinb]

Did nortriptyline work for anyone? I have been on 10 mg for six months and don't feel any relief. I haven't gained any weight on this one. While on Elavil for 3 1/2 months, I felt relief on 10 mg after 2 weeks. I had to stop it because of the enormous food cravings. That is all I could think about day and night.

[leelee88]

Elavil made me CRAVE sweets and carbs, it also slowed me down so much I didn't feel like doing anything. I gained 40 pounds while on it... The good thing though is that it did make the pain go away, but I could not continue it due to the fact of how fast I was gaining weight on it..:(
I am on Tofranil now same class drug as Elavil, but it is working great for me, with no weight gain :)

[hdb1982]

I take elavil and have to watch that I only eat when truly hungry. I think I ould eat all day and never get full but I don't allow myself to or I be as bug as a house. I have not noticed any improvement though.

[Claredale]

I try to keep sweets out of my house. Especially since we are empty nesters. I buy the stuff my hubby likes, but just the diet stuff like the oreo crisps (100 calories). The other day, I was out of my 100 calorie cookies and I ate a butter and sugar sandwich since I was craving sugar so much. That is just SAD. I am trying to taper off the Elavil. I have gained about 10 pounds in the last few weeks. I haven't been walking as much, so I need to get back to that habit as well.

Tracey

[bunnykinb]

All the Halloween candy didn't help. I ate way too much chocolate which I shouldn't have been eating at all. I just love it. I had some mild burning the next day, but luckily, I didn't need to take any Urelle.

[yvette]

The database that pharmacies use to print out the info pamphlet does say the amytripyline causes "an increased craving for sweets". The metabolism thing is still being debated...I felt that this could be true...but a while I had a quick decrease in weight even though I was taking 3x the amount of Elavil that I used to take (they bumped up my dosage)...My IBS was being wicked...so a deficit in calories seemed to do the trick....Its hard to eat when you feel like crap 24/7

It can cause increased blood pressure and tachycardia. So you should really tell your doc if you feel you have symptoms...

I swear I could eat sugar straight sugar sometimes, the cravings get that bad.
(I hear the chocolate cake in the kitchen calling me) :D

[bunnykinb]

My pharmacy print out does not specifically state "May cause cravings for sugar". It only specifies "may or may not cause weight gain" amongst all the other side effects.

[Claredale]

Mine mentions cravings for sweet foods. And may cause weight gain. I am able to control the cravings most of the time, but I am still gaining weight. I go back to the doctor tomorrow, I have decreased my dosage, so I will see what I weigh tomorrow. I am sleeping more, so I would think my metabolism would get better, but my energy level is still low. I feel better, but just low on energy. I am also going to have him check my iron level again.

[bunnykinb]

I am always tired too. I had blood work in Jan. 2007 and it was fine. Antidepressants can make people have an overall ill feeling according to the side effects from my pharmacy.

[corky48]

oK. Started on Elavil 2 weeks ago..Good results, no pain, no burning, last 3 nights only up once a night !!yeah.. BUT for heaven sake I just cant not stop eating,even chocolate...Couldnt keep this up so called the Uro (who has turned out to be "great" since my last vist to him and I "cried" for a solid hour to him about not being able to deal with this.) Guess he figured out I wasnt just imagining the pain and ect..Anyway he gave me Enablex said to try it . I did for afew weeks didnt notice any change; and received a letter from the insurance co saying it would no longer be covered. It cost me $60 copay the first time.(in addition to the Elmiron $60) Called and he gave me a script for the Elavil..which brings me to today and the eating binge. Could NOT deal with it so called and he switched me to "nortriptyline".So I'm going to try it and see if I get the same results with out the eating and constipation..Wish me luck!! If this doesnt work Im heading for Tofranil.."I REFUSE TO GIVE UP!!"Thanks for all the support.

[corky48]

I have been on Elavil for 2 weeks and just can not stop eating, day and night !! The Elmiron actually took my appetite away and I lost 7lbs but now my cloths are tight and I know I have gained it back. I have been eating constantly..so today I called and my Uro swithed me to "nortriptyline"..I will let you know how it goes..

[bunnykinb]

I tried nortriptyline 10mg because I was tired of being hungry all the time. I was on this for 6 months and it did not take away any urethral burning at all. I went back on Elavil 10mg and it has been aronund 2 1/2 weeks. I am having some burning again. I already have a prescription filled for Tofranil 10mg. I am going to start tonight.