Elavil User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

• nantsyb
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 3, 2014

For Interstitial Cystitis "I didn't think this medication was working at all, but when I went off of it, I was in more pain than I'd ever experienced before. When I'd been back on it for about ten days, my pain was not gone, but it was certainly more tolerable."

• dave
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 21, 2023

For Insomnia "In my younger years I was plagued with depression and anxiety and none of the tricyclic antidepressants seem to work on me other than make me tired. I am now on Zoloft, and though it seems to work well it has put my libido in the garbage. My doctor does not want to put me on Elavil because she thinks I have dementia and that will make it worse. If I have dementia now then I was born with it! It is a great med for getting to sleep."

• Anonymous
• August 2, 2011

For Interstitial Cystitis "This was a miracle for my interstitial cystitis symptoms. However, I gained over 30 pounds and jumped over 6 pants sizes in about 3 months. I had to come off the medicine due to weight gain (which did not fall off easily) and immediately went back to my severe interstitial cystitis symptoms. It unfortunately is not the solution for me, other than managing my pain through diet. I have not found another medicine I can take without causing weight gain or other symptoms that cannot be overcome."

• Anonymous
• November 15, 2008

For Migraine Prevention "I'm a 16-year-old girl. I have been on tons of medicines for migraine prevention, and nothing seemed to help. One day, I ended up in the E.R. and missed much school. When I started on Elavil at 10 mg, it seemed to not do much, but when my dose was increased to 30 mg, I tend to have less frequent (2-3) migraines a week. My migraines are less intense, and I'm able to do my studies. The dry mouth is much less when I chew gum, but I tend to be tired all the time. This medication has worked the best for me, although not perfect."

• Jenny...
• September 11, 2015

For Fibromyalgia "I haven't started this drug yet, but am suppose to today, I'm scared to take it from reading everyone's reviews cause I'm a tired person and have IBS so any change can make me really sleepy or feel sick, I'm really sleepy. I'm 31 with 2 kids. I don't want to be more tired or feel like a zombie cause half the time I do anyways. I'm crying cause I'm so scared to take this drug cause the side effects seem so much and those side effects always affect me. I will try it so my doctor can't hound me about taking it. I really don't wanna lose my thoughts cause I have a bad memory as is. But what can you do when you have to be a lab rat for your doctor, not happy!"

• red
• May 25, 2010

For Fibromyalgia "I first started out at 50 mg of Elavil almost 2 years ago. It was like instant heaven! I am a horrible insomniac, and with Elavil, I was getting good quality sleep and woke up feeling rested. I was also on Lyrica at the time. For a while, both of them together had me feeling a lot better. Unfortunately, I have a very high tolerance to any medicine. I am now at 150 mg Elavil. I can't imagine going any higher, yet my pain is increasing, so I don't know what will happen when I totally max out at this level. I no longer take Lyrica, as I became tolerant. Savella seems to help with fibromyalgia fog, but it doesn't touch my pain. Give it a try."

• moonf...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 25, 2022

For Pain "I was prescribed this for nerve pain. It just helped me a little bit with that, but I was amazed that my debilitating panic attacks went away within a couple of weeks. It also helped my insomnia, which was also very debilitating. I've had no side effects that I can pinpoint. I was concerned that it could cause weight gain, but I actually lost a lot of weight because I used to binge on junk food when the insomnia kept me awake all night. Now I fall asleep and I'm not awake eating. This is the only medication that ever helped my panic attacks."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 14, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "Helped my migraines a lot! However, had severe constipation, gained 45 lbs in 6 months, gave me night terrors, and caused me to have slight depression. For migraines, though, it was great, but due to all the side effects I was having, I have since switched. I would recommend Elavil to migraine sufferers, it worked for me!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2019

"I had a terrible experience with these pills. I've never experienced side effects on a medication before and I trusted my doctor who told me that I was taking such a low dose I shouldn’t have side effects. This medication made me feel like a zombie all day no matter how much I slept. It caused me to feel spaced out and exhausted and also caused me to experience visual hallucinations before bed one night. Awful pills I would never try again. There’s a million people online desperately trying to taper down their dose and get off the pills but having withdrawal symptoms. To each their own, but I wish I never even tried it at all. by the way I was put on this for Functional Dyspepsia"

• High...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 20, 2016

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "The first time I was aware of the existence of this drug, a gastroenterologist gave it to me for sharp stomach pain. The cause was idiopathic and/or overdetermined by a variety of problems, especially some damage to the hypothalamus. That was in 2001, and it worked IMMEDIATELY. Stomach pain? Gone. Only had about a 2-week supply and stopped with no ill effects. In fact, it perked up my mood! I always remembered that this was the drug that solved a serious pain problem. In 2015, I had severe anxiety, and my appetite was completely gone. I knew what I needed. The psychiatrist gave me Elavil, even though he was inclined toward Effexor. I ate! I felt good again. I am still on it. I am concerned regarding withdrawal. Short-term use recommended if possible."

• Jasper
• January 17, 2011

For Fibromyalgia "I was just diagnosed with fibromyalgia, was beginning to feel like I am losing my mind. I am 29 years old and some days can barely walk, I hurt so bad. I have been on Elavil for headaches, 10 mg is all I can handle, as it knocks me out. It helps to prevent the headaches, but I hurt so bad still. Thankful to be rid of headaches, but wish the doctor would help!"

• barbie...
• September 7, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "I started on Elavil about 15 yrs ago for fibromyalgia. It brought me a lot of relief at first, but it stopped working for me. I still take it, but the doctor wants me to take a lesser mg. I was up to 100 mg, but now I am down to 20 mg. She said that the Elavil made my heart beat really fast. It can also make your blood sugar go up or down."

• kjg
• May 28, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "This medicine did not help my fibromyalgia at all. I had doctor after doctor ask me to take it as I searched for answers and relief. I finally had to stand up for myself and refuse to take it because it has such a strong effect on me. I felt like a zombie each time I tried it. This is regardless of how small the dose was. The medicine did nothing to ease my pain or any of my other fibromyalgia symptoms."

• Grrat...
• June 10, 2017

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "Keep you from wanting to kill yourself make you feel more comfortable just meadows you out keeps me from having back flashing. First time I didn't like bad side affects the Dr gave me 50mg a day but I take 50mg bed time then I cut pill in half late morning and early evening. First time taking make you sleep really good. I have know side affect. I like keeps you calm"

• Anonymous
• April 16, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "I was very tired the first week, but after pushing through it, I felt better. Headaches took about 2-3 weeks to go away, but they were gone. I had been having headaches almost daily, and they were getting severe. I felt pain-free, however, I felt like my IQ had dropped about 20 points. I couldn't think of things quickly anymore, and it was getting worse. My typing was getting worse, and I was forgetting everyday things like family members' names. I pulled backwards out of my driveway one day, and with myself turned around looking out the rear window, I couldn't orient myself to figure out which side of the road to be on. I was on Elavil for almost 2 months. I took myself off 1 week ago. Headaches are coming back, but my memory is returning."

• pookie
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 19, 2024

"I was prescribed amitriptyline 25 mg for interstitial cystitis, and it has been wonderful. Helps relieve my bladder pain and helps with anxiety and depression. It's like the golden pill. The generic is not expensive, which is a plus."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 8, 2024

"I was given amitriptyline for interstitial cystitis. Before being given this medication, I was in pain all the time. I also couldn't sleep at night because I was constantly getting up to urinate. On top of this, I had become severely depressed from my condition. Amitriptyline helped with the depression too. I had tried other medications, but none of them helped. I consider amitriptyline my miracle drug. It restored my life."

• Anonymous
• March 22, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "I just started taking it last Thursday, and I am so happy that it is working, no headaches (except one today). I feel like I'm in a dream! No one around me understands how miraculous this is, suffered with them for 30 years now. I feel like a normal human."

• amaur...
• October 19, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "I started on 25 mg of Elavil for 1 month and recently increased to 50 mg. The Elavil has worked well to some extent. I didn't have very many side effects, and I am hoping that it will continue to give me positive results."

• autho...
• March 13, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "I take Elavil for migraines and have not had a single headache since starting it. Elavil also makes me sleep wonderfully. I (and everyone in my family) have always had trouble sleeping, and I didn't think there was a medicine out there that would make me sleep on a reliable schedule. This is amazing. Negatives: Miss a dose, and you'll have a bad migraine. It makes you extremely drowsy for the first week, but that will pass. I keep a bottle of water by my bed because of the dry mouth. Cravings are a side effect, so if you get them, you should monitor your diet to avoid weight gain. Also, I drank half a beer after taking it and felt like I'd drank 15. Approach alcohol use VERY carefully."

• Star
• June 26, 2008

For Migraine Prevention "I have been taking Elavil for several weeks now, and the only side effect I have had is the dry mouth. I would rather deal with that than the migraines, which I must say have been dormant for weeks now, and I am so happy."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 18, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "I had daily migraines for several years. I have been prescribed many different preventatives but was taking 50 mg of Imitrex and 4 Tylenol #3 a day for pain relief. Since my neurologist started me on Elavil at 25 mg and finally building up to 50 mg a night (2 months ago), I have only used 2 Imitrex and no more Tylenol with Codeine. This is truly miraculous! The only downside is a 10 lb weight gain. I eat a pretty restricted diet to begin with (no butter or fats, lean meats/fish, and no sweets or snack foods). I am trying to further reduce my caloric intake to stop the weight gain. Anyway, I would rather be a little chubby and almost pain-free."

• Anonymous
• January 6, 2010

For Migraine Prevention "This made me so tired that I had to stop taking it. I felt drugged 20 minutes after taking it (I took it at night), and then I was groggy the entire next day. Plus, the first night that I took it, I woke up with a migraine that wouldn't go away after my Imitrex Statdose injection. So now my doctor put me on a beta blocker. It makes me a little dizzy, but I can actually function!! Guess it works for some people, but I couldn't drive, and there's no way I could go to work on this..."

• 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 every day that I was willing to try anything. I take one 25 mg tablet at bedtime, and my headaches have gone away. It's like I never had them. Elavil has been a blessing to me."

• Anonymous
• April 5, 2009

For Migraine Prevention "I was having daily morning migraines, and my doctor prescribed Elavil 10 mg to take at night as a preventative medication. It worked right away, and I love it since it helps me sleep too. I am very happy with what Elavil has done for me."