Second round of side effects with Elavil?

[missy_blue7]

Has anybody ever had side effects that went away and then came back with Elavil? When I started Elavil about 10 months ago, I was very dizzy. I actually got in a fender bender with a post because I was too dizzy to be driving safely. I also felt emotionally neutral- like I couldn't cry or be sad or happy either. Like my emotions were stuck on blah setting. In addition, I had a lot of anxiety from it. I was anxious while driving, letting my child go anywhere, even outside led to panic attacks thinking something bad was going to happen to him. The benefit of not being in pain was enough for me to keep taking it and hope that the side effects went away. Which they did, I stopped being dizzy in about 2 weeks and the anxiety stopped after a month or so.

In between, I've dealt with weight gain about 10 punds in 10 months. I have considered trying a different drug because of it, but have been hesitant to change since I am pain free at least 85% of the time. Now I am seriously considering a change. My dizziness is back and my anxiety is back and way worse which makes me want to cry all the time. Real great stuff... This has been this way over a month and I don't want to feel like this much longer. I know I need to see my doctor to consider a change, but to what? The trycilics have the weight gain thing which is a downer and I am not sure if any of the others would be any better than elavil since they are all in the same family. Cymbalta is a choice, but I have heard scary stuff about it. Although I'm not sure it could be any scarier than the way elavil is making me feel.

Any suggestions? I would like to hear about the meds you take for pain maybe an alternative to what I take now or at least a start on what else is out there, but no pain killers (my doc doesn't want to prescribe them and I really don't want to take them anyways). I already take Elmiron 3xs a day and the elavil (boo!) 50mg once a day.

Thanks for listening- always makes mefeel better :)

[jjt001]

I have not had my Elavil side effects return, I do still get a little sleepy a few hours after I take it and the weight hasn't come off (darn!), but the dry mouth and anxiety I experienced in the beginning are mostly gone. However, I notice that you're taking 50 mg. I wonder if it's time to reduce your dosage, which might really help with the side effects? I started at 25mg, then went to 50mg, then to 75 mg, where I stayed for about 10 months, I then dropped back to 50mg, then to 25mg, which I've been on now for about five months. I'm definitely less groggy on 25 mg and haven't gained any more weight. I'm still pretty much pain and symptom free, unless I eat/drink something I shouldn't. And, at 25 mg, I can't get away with diet cheats that I could at 50 or 75. But, it's worse it to be on the lower dosage. I know some people go all the way down to 5 or 10 mg and maintain on that.

Just a thought that you could discuss with your doctor (don't start adjusting dosages until you do -- this was a pre-set plan with my doc). Good luck in finding something that helps!

[lauriecircle]

I had horrible side effects from Elavil and no benefits. But Tofranil is working great, no pain, no urgency and the frequency is starting to come down after a week and a half... So I am a believer. PLUS no dizzy, no anxiety, no crying, no dry mouth... Talk to your Dr., but I think you would be much happier with a switch...

[Braedley]

I originally had a bit of dry mouth with the Elavil but nothing as bad as anxiety or panic attacks...The fatigue I still get after I take it and I still notice a difficult time getting up in the morning if I take it too late at night, after almost a year of being on it...

The Ditropan XL I used to take had much stronger side effects for me: horribly itchy skin, severe flaking skin from the dehydration it caused, dry mouth/eyes constantly, etc.

I would def. talk to your doctor about it if you're having a relapse of symptoms especially - just to be safe and get an idea if there might be something better out there for you? good luck

[Itsme]

I took Elavil years. On just 25 mg, it caused major weight gain, bad drowsiness making it difficult to drive or work, and I had a big appetite. All my friends and family said I looked swollen when I took it. The weight gain in turn caused more pain, so a vicious cycle. I had to quit taking it.