Elavil

[lmahn]

So Ive been taking Elavil for about a week and a half now and it doesnt seem to be doing anything. My pain has gotten worse but I just started my period and I dont know if thats the reason. How long does it take Elavil to work?? Im getting so frustrated I just want to go back to normal!! :help:
I dont know if I can cope with this its causing strain on my marriage and its so hard to figure out what foods upset my IC......

[mouse]

I'm not a doctor and I certainly don't know for sure but my doctor just recently told me that it takes about 3 months to be completely in your system and 3 months to be out of your system. I had asked because I gained weight on it and she wanted me to know if I went off it and then realized it was helping it could take up to 3 months to work again! I've been on it for 8 months and I really haven't noticed much of a difference. But 25mg of Elavil combined with 5 mg of valum has greatly improved my sleep.

[Preacher-Girl]

How much Elavil? Also, could you have a UTI?

[c2miracle]

Elavil has definitely helped me. I can go right back to sleep when I get up a "million" times :) I would give it some more time. I have not gained any weight on it either, I know that is a side effect. Of course, we all handle meds differently! Take care and think positive :smile tee

[SharonA]

It can take a while for you to see full results from Elavil. If you have concerns about it, talk with your doctor. It may be that the dose needs to be increased for it to help.

I think it would be a good idea to have your urine checked for infection. While you are having that done, talk with your doctor.

[lmahn]

I am taking 10mg and no I dont think I have a UTI. I have been tested for a UTI a million times in the past couple of months and have had cultures . But I am happy to say I do think the pain was worse from my period. My cramping from my period has stopped and the pain and frequency have gotten alot better since then. I have a scheduled doctors app in 2 months so I will stick it out with elavil and see what happens. I pray to God it will start helping better by then.

[vtcurtis]

10mg is a pretty low dose. I just started on Elavil as well, I'm on week number 3 and I'm just starting to notice a difference. I love how it helps me sleep wise, but I'm not sure how much it's helping me pain wise yet. The true test will be when my hormones change in a week or so. I have been moving 5mg up every week so now I'm at 20mg. My doctor wants me to stop at 25mg.

[Briza]

I started and have remained on 10 mg, tho my dr has approved me to take up to 30 mg in times when my frequency spikes. I have been taking it for some years now and have not experienced any weight gain...it also does not work for my pain. BUT it is a lifesaver for me for frequency and nocturia.

I take it early in the evening and when I do lie down to sleep I fall asleep faster and at most have just one mid-nite trip to the RR (and even that is not unusual for a non-IC person) and taking around dinnertime or several hrs before bed seems to work for many of us to reduce the morning groggies that Elavil is famous for.

But some do need a higher dose than 10 mg, usually not more than 50 mg it seems, and most often just 20-25 mg is what I read frequently around here as a common and effective dose.

For me Elavil works VERY fast...within a day or two, so these days I take it only as needed tho most people do need to take it daily.

Well, if you decide to continue with Elavil, it would be wise to titrate up slowly, by just 5 mg or 10mg increase at a time, to help reduce the chance of unwanted side effects. My dr and pharmacist have told me that it is ok for me to split my Elavil tabs in half say if I want to take 15 mg....those times I take one 10 mg tab and half of another. Do not split your Elavil tabs unless you have been told it is ok to do so by your dr and/or pharmacist.

Hope you find what works...take care!

[VCNJ84]

I would keep going with Elavil.

I started showing improvement within days. The doctor is happy but says I am the exception not the rule. Many people need a month to start seeing a ton of effects.

I started on 10mg and was told to increase over time. I now take 40mg every night and 50mg if I am flaring.

[ophelia33]

I am starting at 10mg of elavil tonight in hopes that something will quell the frequency/urgency that I have at night that doesn't allow me to sleep! I am soooo sleep deprived. I usually cannot return to sleep after getting up. The urge is so strong to pee that I end up just holding my bladder b/c I know if I go its going to be a little trickle and I'll just wind up laying down only to have the urge to go again. Ugh!

Anti-depressants and I don't mix well so I am starting small. I really need some relief from the nocturia. The sleep deprivation is making me feel like I'm losing my mind sometimes.

Who can function on 1 and 1/2 hours of sleep a day?

[Freckles]

I used to take elavil. It helped me sleep through the night. It was great, but I couldn't take the side effects. I think I am going to try it again at some point and just start at a very low dose and see what happens. Don't give up if this dose is too high for you. Just cut the pill in half and try again. It will definitely help you sleep. The bad part is the drowsiness the next day. Let us know how you do.
Karen

[mary124]

I take 30mg - but not for IC--headaches. One of the doctors said it would be a side benefit for pain/frequency wise with IC--not for me - haven't noticed a difference with getting up at night - still get up anywhere from 2-4 times). But if I get off the elavil my headaches will come back full force. I also haven't gained any weight with it and I have been on it over a year.