Elavil User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

• John...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2017

For Insomnia "I told my doctor about my symptoms and he told me that my symptoms did not appear in his medical handbook so he disregarded my symptoms completely. He said it was mandatory for him to report any symptom not listed in his book to the proper health authorities to update the handbook. However, he didn't report the side effects that I told him about because it was "too much paperwork." Instead, he tried to convince me that it had nothing to do with Elavil and in a threatening demeanour tried to change my mind about my symptoms so that he would not be forced to do any paperwork. After reading this site on Elavil, I see the symptoms that I told my doctor about. I find that my doctor acted in an unsafe, unprofessional, and negligent manner."

• Maharis
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 23, 2023

For Depression "I was diagnosed with major depression in the early 1990's and my MD put me on Elavil (amitriptyline). It worked great, although I put on quite a bit of weight. Over the years, I've been on virtually every other class of depression medication, as well as ECT, and none of them worked as well as Elavil. I take it for depression and anxiety and it's amazing. It is an old, old drug, with lots of side effects, but it has pulled me back from the precipice every time. I currently take 150mg at night, which is the max dose for outpatient treatment. I have an rx for clonazepam for breakthrough anxiety, and feel pretty good."

• Nikolai
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 24, 2012

For Persistent Depressive Disorder "I was taking an SSRI antidepressant and other depression medicines but they didn't work. I started taking this and felt way better than I did before. I've been taking it for a while and got used to the sedating side effects and it's helped me from the first time I took it."

• Jenof...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 2, 2016

For Fibromyalgia "I was prescribed Elavil by my Rheumatologist and have been on it for 10 days. He prescribed a dose of 25mg but I am super sensitive to Meds and have only been taking 12.5mg. Let me just start by saying I have been on everything from Zoloft to Lyrica for depression and Fibro. I have had negative experiences with most of them. I was skeptical to even try Elavil after reading some user reviews but decided to give it a try. So far I have noticed that I have more energy and don't feel like I am in a fog.Other side effects I've noticed:1. Dry mouth 2. Weird dreams 3. Tired in am but more energy later on.4. Upper back pain in the A.M. This concerns me. 5.More social 6.No pain relief for Fibro. If anything I am more aware of it.Jury still out :/"

• moosi...
• December 12, 2009

For Pain "After a car accident a year ago and having horrible life disrupting headaches everyday I finally got prescribed Elavil at 25mg once before bed. It has improved most of my headaches and I sleep like a champ...all the time! Only downfalls are I sleep more now than ever and I have gained 15 lbs. I almost think I'd rather have headaches than gain this weight."

• rasto...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 20, 2015

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "1st started taking for depression and PTSD and anxiety. Then I got in accident, now I take it for the above AS WELL AS headaches leg pain,nerve pain in legs. Great old school drug. Oh also helps insomnia"

• Jeni
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 20, 2023

For Depression "It worked great for my depression and helped me sleep, but the effect is now not as strong as it was. While it lasted 15 years, it was amazing, a miracle! Now I'm on Prozac and my panic attacks are crazy. I think I will go back to Elavil!"

• galady
• August 30, 2009

For Migraine Prevention "I have used Elavil for about two years, on and off. I was prescribed this medication for a condition called Cluster headaches. Well this medicine worked like a miracle, the next morning after taking the Evail I didn%u2019t have a migraine and I had been having them like clockwork for about two weeks!! Although this is an anti-depressant (I wasn%u2019t depressed) this medicine did boost my moods and made me feel much better throughout the day. It also gave me a very restful nights sleep. This medicine has been claimed to make some people gain weight but I work out at least three to four times a week and have not gained any weight. Works wonders and if you eat healthy and work out you shouldn%u2019t see that drastic weight gain that everyone mentions!"

• biagina
• June 10, 2008

For Depression "I was on Elavil for many years to help ward off migraines and it did great. Then my neurosurgeon prescribed ultram and I had a tachycardia incident. I am very sad that I can not be on Elavil. I used to take 10mg at bedtime and it was helpful."

• Migra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 26, 2017

For Depression "I was prescribed Elavil for depression and migraine prevention. After taking only two 10mg doses of elavil, I had a severe manic episode. (Note: I am not bi-polar.) I was shaking, pacing, unable to sleep, talking a mile a minute but making no sense, full of anxiety and rage, unable to eat or keep anything down and in a total panic. My husband took me to the ER when my heart rate went through the roof and I became short of breath. The hospital kept me overnight on a heart monitor and gave me sedatives to calm me down. My doctor wants me to try another medication but I am terrified at the prospect. Honestly, I'd rather be depressed and have migraines than try another anti depressant. One bad experience was ENOUGH."

• Jims
• May 29, 2019

For Fibromyalgia "Taking Elavil pills at bed time around 10 to 11pm. First pill made me sleep for two days. 2nd pill less tired but slept all day. 3rd pill slept all day. 4th to 7th pill less tired but no relief of pain, actually an increase of pain in lower back and tightness in shoulders and neck. Not sure If I'll take anymore! Other meds being used: Tizanidine, Armodafinil, Basaglar - long acting insulin (other diabetic meds make me sick) -lower back pain -muscle tightness -sweating - increased hot flashes -(I wish) fruit-like breath odor -increased hunger -loss of consciousness - lack of concentration, find myself just drifting off watching shows. I usually have a busy mind, even with brain fog, I usually have a show on while doing 2-3 other things. I have a high IQ and like to use it, but with this med it dumbs me down significantly."

• Anonymous
• August 12, 2011

For Insomnia "After my sister died when I was 12 years old I had a hard time sleeping. Only only getting 3 hours of sleep at a time. My doctor prescribed Elavil and it worked immediately. I can finally concentrate on task that I could not do before. I am taking 200 mg of Elavil."

• Anonymous
• April 4, 2011

For Fibromyalgia "This medicine is a major player in my fibromyalgia. It helps me sleep through the night, because it reduces the pain at night. I went off it for a week and I never slept more then 2 hours continuously for that week. I give this medicine a thumbs up for that reason. It doesn't help at all for the pain I have ALL DAY. "

• edward
• March 9, 2023

For Depression "I have been diagnosed with depression since college. Since then I have tried every anti-depressant and had no luck. My doctor put me on elavil, and boom depression is gone though I have IBS-C big time. Tried to taper down from 100 mg, and got down to 60 mg, but am still constipated. It's a nightmare, I am now taking Linzess290, Motegruty, miralax, and coconut oil which helps a little bit. Has anybody else had the same problems?"

• Indig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 17, 2015

For Depression "Elavil works in my case as a pain killer/anti depressant. I does have some cons that I was not warned about. I was told by my doctor to take 150mg before bed so I did as told and woke up only when my wife shook me for a second I would eat and go right back to sleep this happened for the first 24 hours the next I had no choice but to stay awake. being awake I had problems with balance and depth perception. my mind was racing with what felt like hundreds of thoughts. my ability to speak was reduced to short sentences. it felt like my jaw was not moving fast enough to make more than a few sentences. after taking that dosage down from 150mg to 37.5mg I am able to speak clearly but my mind is still a little foggy. and the back pain is not as bad"

• Prick...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2018

For Insomnia "Elavil 10mg was prescribed mainly for my 24/7 migraine type symptoms and increasing nerve pain. But also for these symptoms now keeping me up at night. I was always a decent sleeper. But 2 yrs ago as the “head bounce” increased so did my upset over it, and it caused chronic insomnia. Elavil works well for nerve pain. I found even handling jigsaw pieces felt like knives cutting into my fingers. Pleasant right? Elavil allowed me to NOT feel that pain! Insomnia. - works! However a month ago- after the third night it increased my head pain. Like sharp stabs. Soooooo. I take 10mg once every few weeks. I realize that isn’t protocol but don’t care. I mix my bedtime routine with an occasional Benadryl and nothing at all. Then another Elavil. Took the Elavil after not taking it for a month last night. Was able to catch up after 2 bad nights. Ahhhhhhhh...... slept very well. Bottle goes back into drawer for another few weeks"

• Adre
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 26, 2016

For Interstitial Cystitis "Unfortunately this medication had a very negative effect on me. I was supposed to take it for occasional nerve zaps that I get from having IC. When I took it, it didn't take the pain away. Instead it changed it into a CONSTANT burning pain which is way worse than the previous zaps. I stopped taking it, and although I was on a low dose 25mg a night, I got horrible withdrawal symptoms and am still dealing with panic attacks upon waking up. I know this drug has been a godsend for some people, but please be careful because it has the potential to make things way worse."

• Scoti...
• June 23, 2009

For Insomnia "I used this for a year for insomnia, but once my sleep cycle got better they took me off of it. I am going to ask for it again as I have been reduced to 3 to 4 hours of sleep once more. I hope it works as well now as it did 20 years ago."

• badkatz
• May 28, 2010

For Insomnia "It did not help me fall or stay asleep. I took this medication for 3 months. I started out at 25 mg and worked my way up (per doctors orders), to 100 mg. It still did nothing. I weaned myself off of it and it was like I had never taken anything in the first place."

• Anonymous
• November 2, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "I suffered with Migraines since I was about 12. I am now 36. My migraine attacks went from moderate to severe after the birth of my daughter. I would get attacks which would last for 10 days and would mimic symptoms of a stroke. I tried Sandomigran which I gained 8 kg in 3 weeks. Topamax was far worse which felt like my whole body was burning. I'm now on a combination of Zoloft 100 mg and Elavil starting at 10 mg. Generally you're not supposed to mix the 2 because it can cause "serotonin syndrome" which can be life threatening. However my neurologist and psychiatrist are keeping a close eye on me. So far Elavil has had the least side effects. I started on 10 mg and will double dose in 2 weeks. I did notice less neck and head pain."

• k-La
• May 9, 2009

For Migraine Prevention "My neurologist started me out on 10 mg of Elavil and within a couple of weeks I began taking 25 mg. It took about a month for it to take effect but until then I had a headache almost every single day. After that, nothing. So, yes, it was very effective for me. The only side effects that I noticed were increased appetite (very much so) and weight gain. I gained about 12-14 pounds within the 4.5 months that I was on Elavil. Normally this wouldn't be a problem. To be honest the added pounds was worth being pain free, but my wedding was in a few months and nothing besides going off the medication would stop the weight gain. Now I'm taking Topamax, which is doing the job but the side effects are way more drastic than Elavil."

• Anonymous
• July 14, 2008

For Migraine Prevention "No more migraines since I've been taking Elavil. I use only 12.5 mg per day, taken at night. Have tried millions of other medicines. This is the best. First few weeks you will be very tired, it goes away then all will finally be normal with no more head throbbing. Coctail with 10 mg Lexapro. 1 and 1/2 years of no migraines."

• Thowr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2021

For Insomnia "I really wish I could give high praise for this medicine, but unfortunately I can't. I was prescribed 25 mg to help with sleep and depression. It worked OK the first night. The next two nights of taking it I had NO sleep. It kept me awake. I wasn't worried about anything and no other side effects other than tossing and turning hoping to get some sleep. Even the night after I stopped taking it I had absolutely no sleep. Thankfully today is my day off. I'm hoping it's out of my system by tonight so that I can have at least a little bit of sleep. I know my depression plays a role, but I'm not always depressed. But today I am for obvious reasons and I'm sleepy, but I don't want to take a nap to ruin my sleep "schedule". I hope this doesn't stop someone else from at least trying it. It's different for everybody. Unfortunately it just wasn't for me as far as sleep goes."

• Cdont...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 9, 2017

For Insomnia "I've had insomnia for 2 years now. I think I've been on every prescribed and otc meds out there. I was frustrated. Until I asked about elavil and it was a god send. The only side effect I noticed was constipation. Maybe increase in appetite too."

• SDAVIS
• September 30, 2008

For Migraine Prevention "I had epilepsy surgery last year and I have suffered with headaches ever since. After over a year of trying different remedies my doctor prescribed Elavil. I was so tired of having headaches everyday that I was willing to try anything. I take one 25mg tablet at bedtime and my headaches have gone away. It's like I never had them. Elavil has been a blessing to me."