I heart Amitriptyline (Elavil)

[Jax72]

After 6 months of bladder pain and urgency - Amitriptyline (I think it's called Elavil in US) has been the only thing to come close to controlling my pain. Sure it dries your mouth out (which means you have to be uber careful with dental care) and constipation is a common side effect - but I will gladly put up with these in return for having my life back. (Oh and it may make you sleepy to start with, but that wears off).

Jax

[wfarrell]

I am glad it has helped you so much. What dose are you on? I take 50mg at night, it hasnt done anything for my pain though :confused: it does help me to sleep, my issue with that is one, I dream of peeing lol, two, i dont wake up in the middle of the night to go anymore so in am, i hurt really really bad because my bladder is so full, no matter how early I stop drinking. Any suggestions since you are doing so well on it?

thanks,
wendy

[Jax72]

Hi Wendy

I'm on 25mg. I'm sorry you're still having pain. Maybe you should talk to your doc if you're having retention issues with the amitriptyline. You might need to have your dose changed or to try something else.

Jackie

[VCNJ84]

Congrats on with finding success with Elavil. I love Elavil, it's the medication that gave me my life back! : )

[KarenAnne]

Ditto!!

[123456]

I'm starting that med tonight. I notice that you take Celexa also. I am taking 25mg of Zoloft and was really scared to take both but the doc said it was A-OK because they are such low doses.

[Poppystock]

I also absolutely love it! I'm on 25 mg, it has helped tremendously. We'd actually love to try for another baby, but I don't know how I'd fare going off it... Does it work long term? I sure hope so!

Emily

[SharonA]

Same with me...IC Diet and Amitriptyline have enabled me to live a pretty normal life.

[Jax72]

I'm starting that med tonight. I notice that you take Celexa also. I am taking 25mg of Zoloft and was really scared to take both but the doc said it was A-OK because they are such low doses.


Hi 123456 (love the name, LOL)

Yeah I checked with my doc, and my pharmacist, and they both OK'd me being on an SSRI (the Celexa) and the amitriptyline at the same time. It is because the amitrip is at a very low dose. (I think for depression it's at 150mg +).

Jax

[kuntrygurl78]

My elavil has been my lifesaver also. :woohoo:

I forgot it one night and man did I pay for it the next day. My mom has fibromyalgia and she's also on it.

[123456]

How long until the antidepressants work for the bladder? Right now I am sometimes able to wait 3 hours to pee! That's usually when I'm relaxed at home. I only started about 5 days ago. I have times where I can hold for hours and then times when I hurt and have to pee every hour. Is it supposed to even out? Please let me know your experience.

[Jax72]

Hi Michelle

As far as I know amitriptyline works pretty much straight away on the bladder. This is because it's the anti-cholergic effects (dry mouth, urinary retention) that help, as well as the effect it has on interupting the pain signals. These you get from the first dose, unlike the actual antidepressant effect which can take 3-4 weeks. (And which would be very small if you were taking 10-25mg).

Jax

[lttlewun]

Elavil causes retention?

I don't have urgency/frequency so would this be a drug I shouldn't consider taking since urgency/frequency are not my main problem?

[vm]

Elavil can cause retention for some, for others it does not. My uro explained that one of the side effects of Elavil can be a relaxation of the bladder (which can be useful if you have frequency or urgency), but too much "relaxation" can cause retention for some people.

Elavil can also help some folks with pain.

[lttlewun]

Thanks VM!

My bladder seems pretty relaxed to me, but I may be wrong. I have urethral burning/stinging and vaginal discomfort/pressure. Wondering if Elavil would help w/those symptoms? I don't want to cause myself to get retention!

[123456]

Hey All,

The imipramine is doing a heck of a job on the pain now. It did take a few weeks and an increase of dosage, so don't give up!

[lttlewun]

Yay!!!! I'm so happy for you!!!!:woohoo:

How is the frequency doing?

[123456]

Today has been great. I've been able to just go when I feel like it, not because of urgency. I think the first PT helped too. That lady really massaged my pelvic muscles. I am starting to believe this will all be okay and that the symptoms can be managed if I'm careful. Praise the Lord!

[jvr]

Hi Littlewun,

Elavil can definitely help with the pain too:)

Jill