Bad reaction to Elavil? - Interstitial Cystitis Network Support Forum

Mishka · 06-11-2004, 10:05 AM

Hello,

I started Elavil a week ago, and I don't think it's agreed with me.
I became extremely emotional and started having anxiety attacks. I also got 2+ hour dizzy spells the next dat after taking my nightime dose.

I didn't take it for the the past 2 nights and am not so anxious. I REALLY need some pain relief though, and this all my doctor will give me for pain, so I'm hoping it's a temporary side effect or...??

Just curious if anyone else experienced these side effects, and if so, did they go away quickly? I'm only taking 10 mg's, so I can't start any lower! Thanks

Jennifer

classics · 06-11-2004, 10:40 AM

Are you taking any other medications, including over the counter with the Elavil? If not, it probably just doesn't agree with you. I suggest you call your doctor and tell him and see if he can prescribe an alternative anti-depressant type pain reliever.

***ICNDonna*** · 06-11-2004, 12:43 PM

I had a horrible reaction to elavil --- my blood pressure shot up to over 200 over 110 --- a dangerous level, on a very low dose. I had to stop taking it.

Donna

tigger_gal · 06-11-2004, 01:28 PM

oh yes I called it (e)vil elavil.... I was so so mean and anxios about everything.. rapid heart rate couldn't breath feeling.... it was a bad experience for me....
Brat

kirasieni · 06-12-2004, 04:56 AM

I got sores in my mouth because my mouth got so dry on the elavil. My life saver drug has been pyridium. If I feel my symptoms start to get out of control I take a dose. It is even sold over the counter under the name uristat. Sometimes this doesnt work either and an Ice pack on my urethra and heating pad on my belly seem to help. ANother thing... maybe your uro would be willing to rx something like ultram which is not a narcotic but helps a little.

Mishka · 06-12-2004, 05:43 AM

Thanks for the replies.

I don't think I will try it again. I think my blood pressure shot up too Donna. My head felt really tight and swollen and buzzed and I felt like I would pass out.

The Uro gave me enough Pyridium to last for 5 days. It does help the cramping pain for a while.

Back to the drawing board.

Jennifer

kirasieni · 06-12-2004, 05:46 PM

They sell an over the counter version of pyridium by yeast infection medicine under uristat. Thats where I get mine.

Marlana · 06-15-2004, 10:00 AM

I thought I heard elavil was great for people and had a high success rate on the urgency frequency. I did not know it was so bad for so many.

JAMIEL · 06-15-2004, 10:13 AM

I have been taking elavil since January...it is the only thing that has helped me sleep at night....I think that it is different for everyone but is definitly worth a try. It comes in 10mg doses rather than 25mg so it is easily adjustable. It has not helped much with the frequency during the day but at night it has been a lifesaver!!!

Jamie

classics · 06-15-2004, 10:24 AM

When I started taking generic Elavil (Amitriptyline), it was prescribed one at night (25 mg), so I started slowly by taking 10 mg every other night, then every night and then the 25 mg. By day five I noticed slight improvement in my pain (not three weeks, like I was told it would be). I was drowsy, but I think I would have been worse if I started off taking the 25 mg right away. I didn't like the bad taste and dryness I felt though.

My blood pressure is normally on the low side though, so I don't know how it effects others who might have normal blood pressure.

ad8123 · 06-15-2004, 05:27 PM

Elavil made me very sleepy at first then this bebefit went away, my md increased me to 50 then to 75. I turned into an angry zombie, I tried to tell my MD that it was not nesseacry to sleep all they way through the night if i could not wake up the next day. One night I was feeling so foggy I just threw the pills away, and stopped cold turkey-this also caused a dangerouse withdrawl kind of thing so I had to go back on it and ween myself off. Be carefull if you are already on a high dose my MD told me it is not safe to just stop taking them when you have been on them for a while or when you are on a high does. (I HATE elavil, just for the record).

Good luck-Why will you md not give you pain meds for Ic, Do you need to get a pain managment doctor?

angela
Florida

Mishka · 06-15-2004, 07:00 PM

Hi Angela,

I had only been taking 10 mg of the Elavil for 5 days when I stopped it. I know all about the withdrawl when you do it too quickly though!

My family doctor seems to be strongly opposed to narcotics. I'm not a huge fan either but if it's what I need to function right now, I'm not in the mood to have to beg her for them!

I've asked for a referral to the pain clinic, unfortunately the waiting list is 6 months

vm · 06-16-2004, 04:40 AM

Marlana -

I think most people on Elavil at a low dose do fine. There are obviously people who have bad reactions to it, but many of us take it with no side effects aside from it helping our IC.

06-16-2004, 11:46 AM

I agree with the person who said they call it "Evil Elavil!" I tried it for a week and was VERY tired and all I wanted to do was curl up in a ball and cry and sleep! I couldn't funtion at all! I was even afraid to drive under that medication so I quit. I'd rather live in pain than in La La land! I now take Ultram, Detrol LA, Elmiron and Atarax and am feeling pretty good. I just occationally get a flare if I eat the wrong foods. I hope you can find some pain med that will work for you or find a pain manager soon. No one should have to live in pain everyday.

Hug to you, Rita