I started Elavil 50mg monday and I have been a walking zombie and have been very depressed. I have never experienced depression. My pain even seems to have worsen instead of getting better. Is this normal?
How long does it take for Elavil to get into your system?
- Posted:
- 28 Jun 2012 by skinny77
- Topics:
- elavil, depression, pain, vulvodynia
Details:
Responses (5)
kaismama28 Jun 2012
You'll have the side effects right away, which is what you're doing. It will take at least 4 weeks for it to work for pain and/or depression. If you end up needing something for depression, there are better pills then Elavil for that. I took Elavil for more then 20 yrs for depression,there was nothing but tricyclics, but never felt as good as I do now on an SNRI.
pledge28 Jun 2012
Hello skinny77. Yes it is normal. Your body is adjusting itself to the Elavil. You'll possibly feeling like this for a bit longer. Likely a week, or more. It is common to feel this type of side effect. The longer on the drug, the less this type of feeling as you are now. It will take close to a months time before the drug has reached its full theraputic effect. Best of wishes to you, pledge
balbanese28 Jun 2012
Thanks everyone. This being day 4 on the drug I have just about decided to stop the medication. I am very depressed and my co-workers can see it in me and have been asking what is wrong. My dr gave me this medication for Vulvadynia and I am experiencing some crazy side effects.
HeadStarter29 Jun 2012
Hi skinny -
This was prescribed to me for nerve pain. I am on a lower dose than you so I am wondering if our dose is too high??? I can take 10 to 20mg tabs at night. I will say it does help me sleep, too. I am sorry you are so uncomfortable. Ask your doctor if you can cut the dose and try it lower for your particular issue. I am sure that it is throbbing and painful. But it does work for me in conjunction with an occasional nerve block in my lumbar region and to stop burning sensations I get. Just my own thoughts. But I am thinking your starting dose was too high for you. Every "body" is different. I hope this information is helpful and useful to you. I hope you feel much better soon and find good relief. You can actually cut the pill with a pill cutter if your doctor and you both agree to a lower dose. My 10 mg pills are small but I know I could split it with a pill cutter.
Mary
HeadStarter
29 Jun 2012
Sorry I forgot the "y" in our dose is too high??? I, of course, meant "your".
On the lower dose and as an aside... it does work well, for me, for the burning sensations I was experiencing. Not having them now... and I know I have to be careful about activities and such. All the best and I hope this works for you. I have been on my dose only 2 months. But its 2 months of no burning...
Mary
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I can't say that I blame you. Maybe one of the newer ones would help you.
I really hope you get to feeling better soon skinny77. Do have a great afternoon and evening and feel free to chime in any time you feel the need to. One of the group is almost always about, pledge
You can't just decide to stop taking psych medications. This is DANGEROUS! Did you check with your doctor? What is Vulvadynia? Let me know. {{{{{{{{{{hug}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
I'm sorry. I mis read. I thought you said you STOPPED taking the drug. I didn't see you said you "just about" decided to stop. Sorry.:(
She is only on 50mg and just started it on Monday so if she stopped at this point, it would not hurt her!!! Elavil can make you VERY sleepy! I was on it in my 20's and my Dr had prescribed 50mg three times a day to start and I was dead on my feet and would fall asleep if I sat down at a desk while working. Employers get upset when you are nodding off while at work so I had to disclose to my boss that I was being treated for depression and that I was going to talk to my Dr about the side effects. The Dr changed my dose to be taken just at bedtime which worked much better and I was able to finally sleep! As the others have stated, it takes about 4-6 weeks for the full therapeutic effect but that doesnt mean that you wont see improvement before then. You dont state how you are taking it but if you are taking divided doses throughout the day, you might ask the Dr about taking it only at bedtime.
Expand this post...
If you are already taking it at bedtime and still have problems, tell your Dr that the side effects are really disrupting to your life, perhaps you need a different dose or a different drug altogether. When I took this medication, I was up to 375mg a night which I took for about 6 months then found out I was pregnant and I stopped cold turkey and had no problems (I dont recommend that someone do that though-they really should be tapered. I just dont want someone to scare you. If you are on this drug for years, at high doses, it can be difficult to stop cold turkey but as short term as you have been on it, it wont hurt you to stop cold turkey but it is always best to consult your Dr before stopping a medication)