For those of us taking elavil/amitriptyline

**jen_dahling** · 07-30-2004, 11:07 AM

I was just given this med to take at night during flares and I was wondering if anyone takes it during the day and if you have any problems with it. I took it last night but it didn't really help so I was thinking of calling my dr to see about taking some during the day or upping the dose at night. Any experience would be helpful.
THANKS!!

**JAMIEL** · 07-30-2004, 11:54 AM

What dose are you taking at night? My doctor had me up to 50mg at one point at night...I also take 25mg of Atarax...I started to valium as well so I lowered the Elavil to 30mg....It usually works for me...When it doesnt I also take a percecet (spelling?)...

Jamie

**kelly McC** · 07-30-2004, 12:17 PM

I take 25mg at night and it did help me after a few nights. I also take atarax at night 30 mg. I have been sick and had to stop taking all my meds and slowly starting back I missed the elavil alot my sleep has not been good without it.
Kelly

**jen_dahling** · 07-30-2004, 12:20 PM

I was told to start out the first few nights by halfing 25mg and then work up to a whole 25mg. I might be jumping ahead of myself, but I felt absolutely nothing last night. The pill was hard to half so it was actually 3/4 of a regular 25mg.
Do you have any stomach cramping w/ the elavil?
Thanks!

***kadi*** · 07-30-2004, 01:29 PM

I took 10mg of Elavil at night for 8 months, then went up to 20mg. Interesting that your doctor gave it to you for flares, because it's my understanding (maybe I'm wrong, so ask your doc) that it is for longer term use. This medicine was a miracle drug for me. Before I got it, I was going to the bathroom every 15 min, completely unable to sleep, and this went on for weeks & weeks.

The first night I took it (with Ditropan 5mg, which was doing very little by itself), I got 4 hours of sleep & I was ecstatic!!! After about a week on it, I could sleep 7-8 hours a night, getting up only 1-2 times.

I currently take 20mg per night, it's reduced my nocturia dramatically and it has also lowered my pain level overall. I'm considering asking my doctor to increase the dose. I do have to be careful about overeating on it, because it has raised my appetite a bit, but I think this is the medicine that has made the most difference for me.

Hope it works out for you and if it doesn't, don't panic because there are still other meds out there... I eat a cracker or cookie & a half glass of milk with it because I did get a stomachache the one time I took it (& Ditropan) without food. Don't know which one (or both) bothered my stomach, but I'll take any excuse to eat a cookie. (hee hee)

vm · 07-30-2004, 01:57 PM

I think it can take a week or two for you to really see effects sometimes. I know my doctor had me take it for 4 weeks before seeing him again to evaluate how I was doing.

**KEC** · 08-06-2004, 01:02 PM

I could not take it as it made me too dizzy and lethargic. Plus I also got a rash while on it, but everyone is differant. Kathy

***kadi*** · 08-06-2004, 01:29 PM

My doctor just had me increase my Elavil to 30mg & told me I'd know within a month if it was helping...

**jen_dahling** · 08-06-2004, 02:11 PM

So far so good. It's only been about 10 days but I have gotten great sleep the past few nights. I am a little groggy in the morning but I have noticed I am not as unapproachable as I was before. :yikes:
Thanks for the input everyone!

**Jocotter** · 08-13-2004, 10:45 AM

I take 10-20 mg, depending on if it's hurting or not. When I was taking 25-50 nightly, I gained about 15 lbs. in 8 months....but I felt better. However, I decided to reduce the amount and I lost alot of the weight. I wish it didn't have that side effect.