Nervous about Elavil - Interstitial Cystitis Network Support Forum

ashmc · 02-26-2004, 05:44 AM

Well, I just read some postings about Elavil and am terrified now. I am only 19, am 5'2", and weigh 92 pounds. I don't mean to brag, but I have a pretty nice figure and have killed to keep it that way, and now there is talk I may gain weight because of this medication. What am I going to do?? Please someone tell me I am not going to gain weight, I am freaking out!!!!

vm · 02-26-2004, 07:57 AM

Hi.

I have been on 25mg per day of Elavil for a couple of years. I gained no weight on it and when I was real serious about exercise and eating right I lost about 10 pounds. Now, I gained weight when I started Lexapro, but that is recent - it wasn't from the Elavil.

It seems like the weight gain usually comes when people are on the higher doses.

ICB · 02-26-2004, 08:10 AM

Dear Ashmc:

Elavil can cause weight gain in some patients. The higher the dosage, the higher the risk of weight gain. I would suggest that you try Elavil and see what happens. If you gain weight, you can stop the medication and try others that don't have that side-effect. For example, Effexor and Topamax have been known for the opposite effect. You may actually loose weight with those medications.

It is important to put the side-effect into perspective. In my personal opinion, it's better to be fat and happy than skinny and miserable. However, you have many options before you make a final decision. There are MANY other medications that are in the same family as Elavil and don't have the weight-gain side-effects.

I suggest that you consult with your healthcare provider if you believe that the information above may be helpful; your healthcare provider will determine the appropriate treatment regimen for you.

The contents in this post are provided for informational purposes only. The contents are not intended in any way to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition.

Good luck,

ICB

tillysav · 02-26-2004, 08:25 AM

hi Ashmc,

I am concerned about the same thing.

Hope someone on this board has a response that will put your mind at ease.

Tilly

***ICNDonna*** · 02-26-2004, 09:21 AM

One thing you can to is to try taking it --- then if you do gain any weight, you can change meds. My husband takes 10 mg for pain control with no weight gain.

Sending healing thoughts,
Donna

vm · 02-26-2004, 10:38 AM

Are you on Elavil for depression or for pain relief? I was assuming it was for IC pain - just wanted to make sure.

Pain_Man · 02-26-2004, 06:46 PM

Elavil works for some people with nerve pain. It may help.

One important thing: it is very constipating so, especially if you take narcotics, you may need vastly increase the old fiber intake.

Of all the anti-depressants I've taken, and I've taken quite a few, it's probably the mildest I've found in re: side-effects. The others have had side-effects ranging from annoyance to majorly painful--and I'll spare that description.

As always, talk to the doc first.

If it works for you, great! Just remember TCAs (the type of anti-depressant this is) tend to cause drowsiness. So, if taking with other sleepy inducing meds, make sure you can function before driving or doing brain surgery or flying the space shuttle, that kind of thing.

ashmc · 02-26-2004, 11:57 PM

The drowsiness part gives me a concern because I am also on lexapro.

jjmowen · 02-27-2004, 03:18 AM

I gained around 10 pounds in 3 months. When I complained to my doctor, she changed me to imipramine. I lost the 10 pounds quickly and have stayed at the same weight for over a year.

lotsofgirls · 02-27-2004, 03:51 AM

My pain doctor said it often causes weight gain so we went with neurotin.
Cath

vm · 02-27-2004, 03:54 AM

ashmc: I am on Lexapro and Elavil. I had some initial drowsiness with each, but it has gone away.

Keep in mind, though, that I rarely have med side effects...

mayray518 · 02-27-2004, 09:28 AM

I am 5'2 and weigh 105 and, unfortunately, aint young anymore. The elavil did cause cravings but I did not give into then. It literally saved my life. I work out now as I am pain free but you just have to watch it if you get the cravings.

**kadi** · 02-28-2004, 11:57 AM

Hello,
The Elavil (10mg) meant the difference between sleeping or not, so it's been a lifesaver for me. I've monitored my weight daily for the five months I've been on it & not gained a pound. (In spite of no exercise) Nor have I had cravings, (In the past I had huge sweet cravings while on Ovcon35 & on Lexapro) - I've had nothing like that with Elavil. (Thank God)
My dr. said that cravings & weight gain come at the higher doses...

Marigold · 03-09-2004, 08:43 AM

Hi I am 35 years old, 5'4 and weight 120 and just recently worked HARD to lose 35 pounds well remaining inactive due to vertigo problems and now just starting elavil for FMS and IC too.

I started to take it once before a while back and got scared about the weight thing, also I hate the "sluggish stomach" feeling I get from it, however my body wide FMS pain is getting to be too much so I am trying it again. I a surpirsed at how fast it helps my neck pain when almost nothing else does!

I took it in my early 20s for IC pain for over a year and I was always 105 pounds back then and I never gained any weight while on it. It did not help my bladder pain as much then, but I was not on the IC diet or carbonate back then. Now that I am on the diet and take forms of carbonate it really does help.

LOL I am nervous too. It feels great to be thin after being overweight for a few years and I know it is healthier for me personally as well.

I have noticed after starting Elavil that it actually is killing my desire to eat because well, the only way to put it is my stomach feels "too sleepy" for a lot of food.

I am inactive lot of the time because of really bad neck pain, vertigo/nausea and IC stuff.

I hope I can keep taking Elavil because it helps my neck pain so much and also helps the IC.

I won't however keep taking it if I gain weight. There is a lot of diabetes in my family and my older siblings and parents have had so many bad complications from it and both parents died from diabetic complications. That makes me afraid to allow myself to carry that much weight again.

summermuffin · 03-30-2004, 09:52 PM

Hi everyone!
I was recently diagnosed by a urogynecologist on 3/18/04. She prescribed me with 10 mg. of amitryptiline. And, I'm very nervous about taking it. I'm 25 and very short. Gaining weight is not something I can stand happening to me on top of everything already.

My problems started in Nov. with a UTI. Soooo...I am really scared about gaining weight on this drug. I've read tons on the internet and I've just made myself nuts reading all the horror stories.

I think I'm just going to have to dive in and try it soon. I tried just changing my diet, but isn't completely helping everything. It's very nice to hear all about the people who have not gained weight on it. I'm sure I have the willpower to deny sugar craving since I know about them.

Plus, I spoke to a doctor, not my urogyn, about the weight gain and he really tried to assure me not to worry about it until I tried it. I don't know...still very very nervous about it.

Well...I guess that's what I have to contribute for now.
Thanks for listening.
Summermuffin