elavil, strange side effects?

[ophelia33]

Hi, I'm new here for the most part but not new to IC. I am trying Elavil now for the second time in my life but at the lowest dose, 10mg. After I took my dose tonight I noticed I felt dizzy and nauseated (not unusual) but my heart was a little racy and my ears were ringing loudly. My hands didn't feel like they were attached to my body anymore and sounds and smells were more pronounced and it was like I was confused with what I was hearing. My body got really hot too. I started seeing "trails" like I was tripping on acid or something. I was starting to get scared but am used to crazy stuff from meds. I feel a little more grounded now.

I have a history of hypo and mixed mania from zoloft and lamictal.
I don't react well to anti-depressants in general and only had success with zoloft for 6 months until it stopped working.

I am not tired at all and actually feel a little hyper even tho I am seriously sleep deprived. Its been about 6 days on Elavil and idk if I should keep taking it. I also am really groggy in the a.m. So groggy its like I am REALLY depressed. Is this just side effects that will pass or is this unusual? It may be helping with frequency/urgency but did not help with pain--found that out the hard way after a serving of frozen yogurt--omg, wow, pain!

I don't want to throw out an IC drug that may work but I'm supposed to start Lybrel (bc) when I get my montly curse:mad: and I want to go into that trial with a full deck of cards! I need it for my endo. ouch!

thanks,
O

[Briza]

I have not experienced it myself w/ Elavil but have read others post of the side effects you are experiencing and I would think the one to be most concerned about is the heart racing feeling. Probably would be best to contact your prescribing dr and your pharmacist to discuss this asap. If it were me and being on Elavil such a short time as you have been, if the side effects were unbearable or scary I would discontinue until I spoke to dr and pharmacist. This is not intended as direct medical advice, just what I would do if I were in situation such as this. Take care...:)

[ICNDonna]

Elavil caused a severe reaction for me. My blood pressure shot up to dangerous levels and I was hyperactive. I immediately called my doctor and he said to stop it immediately. I suggest you call your doctor before taking even one more dose.

Donna

[KarenAnne]

Before I was allowed to start the elavil, my urologist had me call my cardiologist to clear me for taking it. I have not had the same problems you had. I was shaky & sleepy the first two weeks, but that went away. I too am sensitive to antidepressants & have always taken the lowest dose of them in the past. I am on 20 mg. of the elavil. I feel like Donna & Bri, you really need to call your dr. & your pharmacist.

[ophelia33]

you guys are so kind. Understanding goes a long way with this IC! Its been 48 hours since I've taken the elavil and i still feel a little trippy. I will not take any more until i talk to my doc. I'm also coming off of klonopin (gradual taper) that i've been on for over 6 years. I don't know if that has anything to do with it or not. I think my mind and body are just messed up from coming off meds, going on meds. My poor body! It has taken such a beating. I feel bad for it. The med coaster I call it. I'm grateful for meds but try this and that and side effects, it can be hard. Start Lybrel in a couple of days. Excited and afraid.
thanks again,
O:hi:

[AngKat]

Elavil definitely is too weird of a drug for me. When I first got IC a year ago, I was okay on it until I got up to 50mg. Then I was in the ER with chest pains b/c it threw me into a panic attack out of nowhere when I was out to dinner. I never felt "right" on it. I stopped taking it for a while but then I got put on 10mg again about a month ago for my Vulvar Vestibulitis. I could only tolerate it for about a week. Def talk to your doctor.

Although in my experience, my doctors tended to swear by it, even at the hospital! Trying to tell me the things I experience aren't side effects.

I hope you find something else that works for you. You're in my prayers!

[BT2008]

I stopped taking Elavil (amitriptylene) because I knew for a fact that I was going to lose my mind if I didn't!! Horrible, horrible side-effects, many of which you and the others are describing. And, even after "hanging in there" for several weeks, and going down to the lowest dose, the side-effects did not go away, but just continued to get worse and worse! Additionally, it (and Imipramine, in the same class of drugs) made me have terrifying nightmares--one where I was ... well... I think I will leave out the gory, bloody details, but suffice it to say that I will never take any of those drugs again!

I truly hope you find something else that works for you--sooner rather than later!

Hugs,
~Beth