URGENT question

[Venus26]

I was put on 50mg of Elvail. Last night around 8:30, I took my first pill. This morning, I woke up so tired, I could barely sit up to eat breakfest. I took my next dosage, and fell asleep again until a short while ago. I cant stop feeling extremely tired. I fall asleep in the bathroom even. I am so sleepy, that I am even talking like a person who hasnt slept for days.


Is this normal? Will I get used to the pills and stop feeling SO sleepy?

Im kind of scared about how I feel right now. I know that if this were Monday- I would NOT be able to be at work :(

[Dakota]

Venus26: 50mg of Elavil is a pretty high dose for you to start on. Years ago I took Elavil specifically as a sleep med and was on it for many years. I'm surprised your doctor would start you out at that. Most times people start on 10mg and work their way up from that. It is a normal reaction for you to be sleepy and I think you should call your doctor to see if you can start at a lower dose for a few weeks, and work up from there. It's best to take it earlier in the evening so you will not feel groggy in the morning. I recently tried taking Elavil again for IC and have to say it is a wonderful med for bladder pain. I had to stop it because of other side effects, but wish I was able to tolerate it because it was the only thing that helped me with pain. Hope this helps, and good luck with it!

Best wishes,
Dakota

[kadi]

I also started at 10mg & several months later moved it up to 20mg. I was pretty tired in the mornings just starting out at 10mg. I also recommend like Dakota did, that you call your doctor about starting out at a lower dose. Elavil has really helped with my IC & my mom who also has IC uses it as her only treatment. Hopefully it will help you as well.

[Preacher-Girl]

It's usually recommended to start slower on Elavil...maybe just 10mgs per night. I think it's best to take at 8PM and give yourself several hours for it to wear off. I would never take it in the AM unless I planned to sleep all day.

[Briza]

Yes, starting on a much lower dose is usually how it is prescribed it seems, and if needed, slowly titrate up to the lowest effective dose. Something that also helps is to take it a little ealier in the evening. I take mine around dinnertime, usually around 6pm, or at least 4 hours before going to bed. It doesn't knock me out when I take it that early, but when I do lie down to sleep I fall asleep faster and usually stay asleep with maybe just one mid-nite trip to RR. Taking it that early in the evening also reduces the morning groggies for me. I have been able to remain on 10 mg and it really works well for my frequency:bow: but I will tell ya that 50 mg WOULD knock me on my butt!:cat: Please speak to your dr about a lower dose, because this med can be very effective even at really low doses like I take.

[VCNJ84]

I was also started at 10mg...and was told to raise the dose every 7 days until I found the lowest dose that seemed to ease all my symptoms. I am up to 30mg now and hoping not to go any higher. I know my first two days on a new dose I am always extra tired and then I get used to it. I couldn't imagine starting at 50...cause even starting at 10 my body had something new to get used to.

[vm]

I bet if you check with your doctor and told him/her how you reacted to the 50mg dose he/she would allow you to go down to a lower dose and then work your way back up if need be. :)