Weight Gain with Elavil ? ? ? - Interstitial Cystitis Network Support Forum

tialia · 07-02-2004, 05:23 PM

I've been taking 25 mgs. of Elavil for 3 months. I sleep better but now it burns when I 'go' at night. And I've gained 8 pounds!

Have any of you had these experiences?

Thanks,

Therese

Audrey Rose · 07-02-2004, 05:52 PM

Therese,
I took Elavil for cyclic Migraine control and I gained 15 pounds in a few weeks!! But it sure stopped the migraines so I continued. I took it for about 5 months and then was weaned off it by my neurologist. The weight came off, but not as quickly as it packed on. This was pre-IC so I don't remember any bladder issues. You may want to discuss other options with your doctor. She/he may know of something that won't irritate your bladder so much.
I've learned that when it comes to IC meds, it is all about choosing which side-effects you can live with and which ones are not worth the benefit. It seems they all have side-effects!!

Good luck Therese!!!

CareBear · 07-13-2004, 02:02 PM

I've been on Elavil 10-20mg per day for about 3 years. I have gained 20 pounds, BUT I feel great, most of the time. I can sleep, I can eat and I can now function like a mostly normal person. Yes, I am now a size 12 when I was a size 8. Yes I feel "fat" sometimes, but I am mostly pain free and that trade off was worth it for me.

tialia · 07-13-2004, 02:28 PM

Thank you for sharing your experiences! I went back to the Dr. today and we decided to keep me on the Elavil.

Therese

**kadi** · 07-13-2004, 03:31 PM

You know, I'd noticed I didn't get my usual spring migraines (I get usually about 3 whopping headache/light&noise sensitivity events each spring) this year. I bet it's because I've been on the Elavil since Sept. Okay, that's one good thing to come from IC. (the only good thing, but I'm trying to be positive.)

ad8123 · 07-19-2004, 07:45 PM

Elavil did not work for me ultimatley but I COULD sleep and had less nerve related pain (in the lower back called refered pain i think) when on it. They had to keep upping my dose though as my body adjusted and finally it made me crazy, I gained 30 pounds on it. My urologist said it can not cause weight gain, but the pamplet it comes with said it can cause sugar cravings so for me that was where the weight gain came from. I am not able to loose the weight but I am having other complications right now. If it works for you stick with it, a lot of people have great luck with it and are able to live very normal lives with it. Hope you are feeling better soon.

Ps: I never had any burning because of the elavil but I do when I eat something acidic or do not take my atarx and tagament or zantac?

snowgirl · 08-06-2004, 04:48 PM

I was on Elavil at nighttime and it did help my bladder pain. However; I gained 25 pounds. I would get up and eat at night oh yes not even remembering what I ate until the next am. Now, ten years later my bladder has progressed to very last surgical options. My MD gave me elavil 10mg at night to try at first. Well, I had to break it in half to 5mg and I tell you I don't want to get out of bed even with 5mg on board. So, I stopped till the weekend as I was hungover in the am. Can't feel this way and do my job- another reason I took myself off elavil. I will give it a try at the 10mg nightly,

Vicky

janetm · 08-07-2004, 09:03 AM

Definitely craved sweets on elavil. Eventually noticed that it was because I had a bad taste in my mouth. Don't know if this happens to anyone else. So I started sucking on suger free candy and chewing sugar free gum. That helped me stabilize my weight. Maybe it is placebo effect but it worked!

Never noticed urethral burning connected to elavil, myself. But you know what you are feeling! One of the most hurtful thing that happens to IC patients is when doctors/ others treating us like we are wrong about what we are experiencing. You know your own body. I believe you!

mayray518 · 08-08-2004, 09:39 PM

I have been taking elavil for 6 years. It was my salvation. i am now down to 5 mg. At the higher doses I used to take it caused tiredness and a little craving for sweets but I didnt give into it so I kept my weight low. At 5 mg I dont notice the tiredness at all.

RedLione · 08-09-2004, 07:48 AM

I read on another message board that all antidepressants irritate IC, and went of Zoloft immediately. I have yet to find an antidepressant that does not irritate my bladder, so you might want to discuss with your doctor. Elavil made me ravenous; no matter what I ate, I always felt like my body was starving for nutrients. Naturally I kept eating even though I was full and gained 20 pounds. It came off when I stopped taking Elavil.

moelissat · 08-09-2004, 09:27 PM

I gained alot of weight taking elavil,too.Decided to go off it,and when I discussed it with my Uro--just happens there's a new drug out there called Surmontil.It is supposed to do exactly the same things as elavil without the weight gain side effect.I immediately switched.It's been slow,but I have dropped a clothes size,so I am encouraged.

Jocotter · 08-12-2004, 11:30 AM

I started out on 25 mg. and while it worked great, I gained about 15 lbs. in 8 months. I don't see how they can call it an anti-depressent, when you gain weight like that.

I was getting very depressed over that!

But I cut it down to 10 mg. and most of the time it works. When I have a flare up, I go up to 20 mg.