Elavil and constipation

[Jenny]

I've been taking 10mg. of Elavil for a month now and it's the only thing I've used that actually seems to make a truely positive difference in my pain level. I also use the oxytrol patch, elmiron, atarax and lortab 7.5. (which I've actually almost discontinued since the Elavil!)
My problem is the constipation though. I use the stool softeners, citrical, eat a lot of fiber and drink a lot of water, but can't seem to "get things moving". I stopped the Elavil for a night just to see what would happen. Well, I was back to my tossing and turning and up at 5:00a.m.; but no trouble with constipation! I don't know how the day will go yet pain-wise.
Shouldn't the constipation go away after a month of use? I really don't want to give it up, but I don't want to trade more problems for it either.

[SharonA]

Jenny...I would talk to your doctor about this. There may be someting he or she can give you to help with constipation. :)

[kimmichele]

I never got over my constipation when I was on Elaville, but elavile saved my life. I eventually weaned myself off it as it got to were it didn't seem to help so much. I also gained 50lb on it but I was afraid to get off of it for so long as it saved my life. I was so constipated my doctor had me get a sonogram. My prolapsed bladder got much worse from the pressure of the constipation. I never found another antidepressant that worked on the pain like ellavile so I don't take them anymore. Sometimes when I flareup now I have suicidal thoughts. But my flares at least ease up now whereas for years there was no decrease in pain.

Kim