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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> Amitriptyline?  Good, bad, ugly?
        
(Message started by: helpinthehub on Jun 6^th, 2004, 3:04pm)

Title: Amitriptyline? Good, bad, ugly?
Post by helpinthehub on Jun 6^th, 2004, 3:04pm

I apologize if this has been discussed already, but I searched and didn't find anything.

My husband has been suffering from CH's for about 5 years now, and just FINALLY went to the doctor last week. The doctor (a military doc, not a Neurologist >:( ) prescribed him Amitriptyline. He was told to take 25 miligrams before bed. He got a CH last night, but not nearly as bad as without the medication, and it it is VERY difficult to wake him up in the morning.

Can anyone tell me their experience with Amitriptyline? Good, bad, ugly?

Title: Re: Amitriptyline? Good, bad, ugly?
Post by UN_SOLVED on Jun 6^th, 2004, 3:29pm

I was given this to 'help me sleep'. It didn't help me sleep and it didn't help with the CH attacks. Maybe even made me worse.
Hope you have better luck.

Unsolved

Title: Re: Amitriptyline? Good, bad, ugly?
Post by mynm156 on Jun 6^th, 2004, 3:46pm

Hey,

Amitriptyline is a drug that DOES NOT play well with others. Meaning other drugs so be very careful with it. It tends to make some ppl very DROWSY... However, I have heard that some ppl get fair results from its use.

MYNM156

Title: Re: Amitriptyline? Good, bad, ugly?
Post by Bob_Johnson on Jun 6^th, 2004, 4:43pm

Go to: www.headachedrugs.com and seach using the drug name and CH. This site run by a doc who operates a good headache clinic.

Look at the button on the left, "medication survery" and see what folks here have used and the relative success. This is a a good guide--in fact, I'd print it out and take to the doc.

Overall, Amytyp is not the first med of choice.

Title: Re: Amitriptyline? Good, bad, ugly?
Post by helpinthehub on Jun 6^th, 2004, 5:05pm

I looked at the survey but didn't see it listed there.

Am I just a moron and it's listed under another name? Don't answer the moron part please ;;D

I'll have to check out the other site you recommended, thank you.

Title: Re: Amitriptyline? Good, bad, ugly?
Post by Karla on Jun 6^th, 2004, 6:19pm

I believe it is also called elavil. It has been discussed here on the board before.

Title: Re: Amitriptyline? Good, bad, ugly?
Post by helpinthehub on Jun 6^th, 2004, 6:56pm

I've done a search by both names and only return posts from 99 and 2000, which is why I asked.

I guess I was just looking for personal experience, I apologize for bothering ya. I just want to see my husband be able to do his job pain free to the best of his abilities, and have a normal, functioning homelife as well. I'm sure y'all understand that as you wouldn't be here if they didn't affect your life in one way or another. It was hard enough to get him to go to the doctor, let alone him do the research on the drugs that the (ill-equipped) doctors give him. He is deploying overseas to a combat zone very soon, so I'm very worried about him and his health (in every aspect)

I apologize if I asked a question that was already answered elsewhere. The last thing I want to do is step on anyone's toes or ask a silly question that has already been answered a zillion times.

Thank you.

Title: Re: Amitriptyline? Good, bad, ugly?
Post by Bob P on Jun 7^th, 2004, 1:38pm

Amitriptyline (Elavil) is a tricyclic anti-depressant. It inhibits the uptake of serotonin and norepinephran thereby keeping the neurons stimulated longer.

I tried it once, 50mg at bedtime. I was so groggy the next morning that I cut that dose in half, 25 mg at bedtime. Still groggy the next day so I quit taking it.

I do know of one chronic who swears the stuff stopped his clusters. He went about 7 years with no attakcs before dying of other causes.

I'm told the groggy feeling goes away after taking the drug for a while. I plan on trying it my next cluster.

Title: Re: Amitriptyline? Good, bad, ugly?
Post by rbmb on Jun 7^th, 2004, 6:58pm

I only took amitriptyline once. I took it before bedtime and had difficulty getting to sleep......I tossed and turned for a long time. When I finally did get to sleep, I slept right through my alarm clock and was late for work. When I got to work, I felt like a zombie. I was just staring at my computer screen and I couldn't get started doing anything, so I just went home. I never took amitriptyline again, so I don't know if I would have gotten used to the drowiness in time or not or if it would have helped with the headaches.
Rich

Title: Re: Amitriptyline? Good, bad, ugly?
Post by miarella on Jun 8^th, 2004, 6:24pm

Hello,

I took amitryptiline (12.5 mg at night) for 2 weeks during my last cycle, but I was taking verapamil and prednisone as well, so I can't tell for sure which side effects come from which med.

I did feel very sleepy in the morning for 3 or 4 days but then it went away.

Did the military doc prescribe amitryp alone?? [smiley=huh.gif]

Good luck,

miarella

Title: Re: Amitriptyline? Good, bad, ugly?
Post by Woobie on Jun 10^th, 2004, 12:21pm

I dont have CH - but I took it for other things.......

I was so damned tired all the time I couldn't think straight......I was a walking zombie all the time.

but man - i could SLEEP like nobody's business! I could sleep for days - LOL

I wouldn't recommend it to anyone anytime for anything.. i HATED IT. ALMOST as much as I hate PREDNISONE! ;;D

that's all

tina :-*

Title: Re: Amitriptyline? Good, bad, ugly?
Post by helpinthehub on Jun 11^th, 2004, 2:10pm

Yep, the doc prescribed just the Ami last time. But today he went in and he also gave him Imitrex, but he gave him the nasal spray [smiley=huh.gif] Anyway, hopefully the combo of the two will be a bit better because the Ami isn't doing crud for him. But you are right, he's a regular Rip Van Winkle. I have to watch him in the morning because he's forgetting everything and slow as molasses.

Thanks for all the input guys, I TRULY appreciate it!

Title: Re: Amitriptyline? Good, bad, ugly?
Post by Lizzie2 on Jun 11^th, 2004, 2:46pm

Hey Woobs,

You didn't tell how Ami also makes you EAT!!! Dang...I had to get off elavil pretty quick. I started at 10mg, and I went up to 20mg. By the time I hit 20mg, I was sleeping 19 hours a day. Not a good one for me! Also made me very hungry all the time. But my cousin (who does not have CH) swears it helps with what she has, and she has never had the bad side effects. Everybody's different!

Lizzie