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12-13-2009, 06:16 PM
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#1
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ICN Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 44
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Weight gain?
Hi friends,
I am not having any luck with neurontin (gabapentin) so my doc wants to switch me to amitrypyline to see if that will work. i have heard some bad stories about weight gain, hair loss, loss of sexual feeling, and others and I really just wanted to know real honest stories so I can be prepared. It would really help me out my appt is this week  Tell me about your side effects
-Thank you so much
-Ducky 
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12-13-2009, 07:13 PM
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#2
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Support Leader
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: California
Posts: 6,937
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I've been taking Elavil for 6 years. I have not had any hairloss, no loss of sexual feeling. I have had weight gain, but that could be from overeating due to stress, not exercising enough, and the change in diet (I used to eat a lot of fruit, diet sodas, soy).
I'm really grateful the Elavil has helped me so much - went from voiding 60x a day down to 20 (and then instillations got it down to a reasonable level), reduced my pain dramatically, and enabled me to sleep.
My mom has been on amitryptiline for 3 years & has not gained weight. Another friend of mine with IC manages her IC completely with amitryptiline & also has not gained weight. It's not inevitable, but it does take being conscious of how much you eat before & after you start taking it...
Good luck - I hope you feel better soon,
__________________
Kadi
-------------------------------------------------------------
I am not a medical authority nor do I offer medical advice. In all cases, I strongly encourage you to discuss your medical treatment with your personal medical care provider. Only they can, and should, give medical recommendations to you.
------------------------------------------------------
This week's favorite one-liner:
"Incontinence Hotline...Can you hold, please?"
New second favorite:
A school teacher was arrested at the airport for trying to go through security with a slide rule & a calculator. He was charged with carrying weapons of math instruction."
Adding a third because I'm just so darn easily amused...
"Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups"
Above funny things are from the "Prairie Home Companion--Pretty Good Joke Book", which I pull out & read when I've had a bad day & really need a laugh...
Current treatments:
-IC diet
-Elavil 20mg at night
-Ditropan 5mg at night
-Continuous use birth control pills (4-5 periods/year)
-Heparin/Marcaine/Sodium Bicarb home instills every night & sometimes in the morning also
-Pyridium if needed, usually once a week or so
-1 Darvocet at bedtime,
-Flexeril 10mg at bedtime
-Dye Free Benadryl for allergies occasionally
-Pelvic floor & myofascial release (external only) physical therapy for 8 weeks, then home exercise program...
-Managing stress
-Fur therapy: Hugging the cat! 
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12-14-2009, 04:48 AM
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#3
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ICN Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,318
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I first took it for Migraines I now know it cause me to have headaches not a comman side effect. I tried it again for IC and I got retention from it. But that is just me I never react to meds as my Dr. would expect me too. I know lots of people who have been dramtically helpped by it you just don't know how you will react till you try it. MG
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12-14-2009, 05:48 AM
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#4
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ICN Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Hutto, Texas (30 miles or so outside of Austin)
Posts: 3,661
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I was taking it for awhile; for headaches. i stopped taking it recently due to retention. It did not make me gain weight and it also didn't help my IC.
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01-03-2010, 01:52 PM
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#5
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ICN Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Charlotte NC
Posts: 580
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I took nortryptiline for migraines some years ago and it worked very well. It is very similar to amytriptiline but has less side affects. I had some weight gain but I was also taking other meds at the time, so I am not sure what caused the gain.
It did help me with my migraines though.
__________________
Diagnosed with IC in 2/08, Have had IBS as long as I can recall, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Depression and Anxiety (increased by the IC diagnoses and issues) PCOS since I was 18, My IC specialists suspects, as do I, that I have had IC for at least 20 years- just never found the "right" Dr, or had a severe flare like the one that led to my diagnosis.
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01-13-2010, 06:26 PM
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#6
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ICN Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 1
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Lexapro may contribute to weight gain. Of all antidepressants, Wellbutrin (bupropion) has the most potency to promote weight loss. You may discuss with your doctor if you will benefit from Lexapro.
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01-14-2010, 01:56 AM
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#7
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ICN Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,087
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I'm on Imipramine since March of 08 and have gained 10 pounds. I crave carbs,especially sweets.
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01-18-2010, 06:41 AM
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#8
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ICN Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Georgia
Posts: 18
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Elavil
I've been using elavil for two years roughly and have not ever experienced any real weight gain from it. I also cannot tell any real difference using it for pain management. Any others that work well?
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01-18-2010, 09:11 AM
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#9
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ICN Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: East Central IL (near Champaign and Bloomington)
Posts: 1,647
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Elavil is what allows me to lead a normal life.
The only side effect that Ive had is the tiredness that comes at first with taking it. I had to start with 5mg and slowly worked my way up to 50mg. Ive been at 50mg for a while and it doesnt make me tired now.
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01-18-2010, 08:20 PM
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#10
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ICN Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 778
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I think some weight gain from Elavil could be due to the lethargy it causes when you first start. I started on that and hydroxyzine around the same time and so I was struggling just to stay awake most of the time. Now my body is adapted and I don't really notice any side effects. And since I'm not having the sedative effects anymore I've been able to increase my exercise and so I'm slowly losing the five or so pounds I put on.
__________________
33 Years old, live in Northern California
Update! Feeling much better these days! After a year of treatment, and a year and a half at least of symptoms. I'm not feeling normal, but at least I can usually live my life now!
Getting married to a wonderful guy in August 2010
Pelvic pain began July 2008. Urinary frequency began in November of 2008. IC Doctor says I'm one of the worst frequency patients he has had.
Cystoscopy showed evidence of glomerulations on the bladder.
Main symptoms: Frequency mostly. Also some mild to moderate pain. Completed 8 months of physical therapy.
Currently on: IC Diet, Elavil (30mg), Elmiron since June '09 (500mg/day), Hydroxyzine (50mg), Alesse Birth Control to regulate hormones and weekly PTNS.
Previously tried and quit: one series of six instillations, Neurontin, Ditropan, Oxytrol, electric stimulation to the pelvic floor, Desert Harvest Aloe, Cystoprotek and Flomax.
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01-19-2010, 12:47 AM
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#11
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ICN Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 258
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On was on elavil for about 10 months. I think the most it made me gain was 10 pounds...but I had some to gain back anyway. I had to take it at night because it made me very sleepy and off balance. I did have minor hair loss but I had also started elmiron at the same time so I am not sure. However, I wouldn't very about weight gain if I were you. I have heard nightmare stories about nuerontin and weight gain!! So if you didn't gain on that I doubt you would on elavil. I know if you concerned about weight gain never try LYRICA...great drug if you can stand all the side affects!!!!!!
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