Side effects ofelavil

[neferte]

I've been taking elavil (25mg) for about 3 weeks and have been having some side effects. I've been experiencing some Dizziness. Anyone else having this problem and how do they deal with it? I know this is a common side effect but it is annoying.
I also have been having bladder spasams. There are times when I don't go to the bathroom for hours (4 or more) and then there are the times when I have to keep on going every 5 minutes and nothing. I know this is IC but since taking the medicine they seem to be worse.

Anyone imput would be helpful. I go to the doctor next week:bunny:

[Berkshire Road]

I think there's already a lot of discussion about this topic on some of the earlier threads, that you could read. Sorry, I don't take elavil myself, so I don't know.

[bunnykinb]

I was taking 10mg of Elavil and yes, dizziness is definitely a side effect. I started Tofranil which is in the same family as Elavil and I have dizziness with that too. I always feel that dull cloud in my head all the time too. When you get up from sleeping, lying down, or sitting, get up slowly. If I get up too fast, the dizziness is worse. I don't think there is anything to counteract that either.

[BuffyFan]

I am stopping the Elavil 10mg...I didn't even wake up for work this morning & had horrible nightmares. I am all fuzzy in the head as well & in tears. This would only be my second day at my new job and they are letting me come in, so, I'm going into work for a couple hours and then back in tomorrow (and so on) for the rest of the week.
There is no way I can even take care of my daughter being like this...so, forget the Elavil, I should have known better since I am allergic to those types of meds!! I'll stick with the Elmiron & Enablex.

Alisha xoxo

[bunnykinb]

I am so sorry. I know how bad things can get. Today, I feel good but sad. My dad must have accidently let the rabbit out when taking out the trash. Our baby guy since we had as a new born has been lost for 24 hours already.

[leelee88]

So sorry to hear that bunny.

Elavil did make me dizzy for the first couple of weeks, but it faded after a while.

[glassd18]

I'm sorry you are having trouble. I started Elavil about two weeks ago, but I started at a very low dose 5mg. I cut a 10mg in half. I felt a little dizzy upon standing up too fast, but it didn't last for long, and now I'm just being more careful. I am sleeping wonderfully for the first time in a long time, and I am thankful for that because I was a walking zombie. It hasn't done too much for my bladder yet, and I may have to go up in dose to 10mg, but I don't think I would go over that dose because I'm sensitive to meds. I'm not seeing too many side effects at all. Anyway I'm glad that I didn't take a larger dose to start because I know for sure that I would have been zonked out. Doing it this way my body is getting used to it a little at a time. I hope you find something that helps.

[bunnykinb]

The first time on Elavil it took about 2 months before the hunger pangs came in. The second time on Elavil, I was hungry right away.

P.S. No luck in finding my little special rabbit.

[glassd18]

I think I've been jinxed. I had a nightmare last night, and the night before. I also felt air hunger (felt like a couldn't breath) when I woke from it. Hope it's not the Elavil, but very strange indeed.

[jjt001]

I had nightmares when I first started Elavil, too. They went away after a few weeks. It is a little weird, isn't it? I was relieved to read on these boards that it was a fairly common side effect and that it does go away.

[Sally939]

I am so sory about the bunny. I hope you find it.

I do not seem to be having any dizzy problems with the elavil. But if it is too much to handel then it is not the drug for you. I hope you find the right meds to help you

[glassd18]

Good to know that nightmares are a side effect that dissappears because I wouldn't want to continue have those every night. Last night a plant with hands was grabbing for me trying to hurt me. Too weird!! The night before I was pregnant in my dream, but it ended up being a pillow!!!:lmao:

[lan]

Hi all,
Very sorry about your special bunny. Keep us posted.

I also had nightmares when I first started Elavil - but they did go away. I am lucky that I do not have any side effects except for gaining about 8 lbs in 8 months. I am no longer gaining and am going to try to lose some of it...On second thought maybe I will wait until after the holidays to try and lose some of it :)

[glassd18]

You know I haven't really been weighing myself, but I do feel hungrier than I was for sure. Making good food choices when snacking is one way to overcome this I think, and of course walking for at least a half an hour every day helps. I need to get more active. Since this IC thing I became very inactive because of the constant pressure, and pain. I also suffer terrible lower right hip and back pain which I believe it reffered pain from my bladder, and that doesn't help me to feel like doing anything.

Wow so many people with the nightmare thing. The thing I'm loving right now is is that I can sleep almost through the night, and so I have more energy than I did, and that helps a lot to fight this disease. I was a walking zombie before.

[Kathy in Canada]

Hi,

I get strange dreams and sometimes nightmares almost every might. I bothers me a lot. It may be the Elavil or one of my other medsl

I also get hungry for sweets. I try not to have anything sweet around that is very tempting. I think it also may be that on the IC diet most of the food you eat is fairly bland since its can't be spicy, sour -no mustard, no vinegar etc, can't use most condiments, no lemon, etc. Something sweet seems like the only thing that is different from all the bland stuff.

I try to keep at home only these sweet things: pears, bananas, dates, raisens, prunes, organic graham crackers, vanilla ice cream (sometimes I put maple syrup on it). These don't tempt me that much, so I can limit it.

Once in awhile home made waffles with maple syrup, and the odd Lindt white chocolate bar (I like Lindt Excellence). I have ordered creme caramel and creme brulee in restaurants (as long as it is only vanilla flavoured). I also eat a vanilla cupcake or short bread cookie once in awhile from a bakery.

Kathy