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."

• 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 migrane pevention and nothing seemed to help. One day ended up in the E.R. and missed much school. When I started on Elavil 10mg seemed to do not do much but when my dose was increased to 30 mg I tend to have less frequent (2-3) migranes 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!"

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

For Migraine Prevention "Helped my migraines a lot! However had severe constipation, gained 45lbs 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!"

• red
• May 25, 2010

For Fibromyalgia "I first started out at 50mg 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 150mg 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. "

• 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 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 & my appetite was completely gone. I knew what I needed. The psych. gave me Elavil, even though he was inclined toward Effexor. I ate! I felt good again. I am still on it. I am concerned re: 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 yrs 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!"

• 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."

• 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 lessor mg. I was up to 100mg but now I am down to 20mg. 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. "

• 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 couldnt 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 couldnt 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"

• 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
• 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 yrs 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 50mg. 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 is 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
• 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..."

• 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 50mg 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 down side 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."

• 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
• April 5, 2009

For Migraine Prevention "I was having daily morning migraines and my doctor prescribed Elavil 10mg 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."

• Jalley...
• August 22, 2010

For Migraine Prevention "I experienced my first migraine when I was roughly 10 years old. I'm 32 now. Last month (July 2010) I had a particularly vicious attack which lasted 1 1/2 weeks. Following a few days of relative calm, a second migraine (or continuation of the previous one... who knows?) occurred and essentially disabled me for an additional 1 1/2 weeks. After much research, I talked to my physician and decided on a treatment plan which includes taking 25mg of amitriptyline (Elavil) at bedtime every night, as well as Maxalt MLT and a nausea drug when needed. I've been taking the amitriptyline for nearly two weeks now and so far so good. The side effects are noticeable, however, and include drowsiness, fatigue and dry mouth. Will keep you posted."

• Anonymous
• February 27, 2011

For Migraine Prevention "I finally saw a neurologist after years of headaches. I have taken Topamax and Neurontin as preventatives. Zomig, Imitrix, Maxalt, and with stress seem to never go a week without a headache. I was started on 25 mg Elavil with no relief, it was increased to 50 mg at bedtime and I have been nearly headache free for 3 weeks. I did miss one dose and had a headache the next day but not the rebound headaches that I was experiencing. The side effect that bothered me most was the dry mouth and I did experience fatigue. I am a RN and work 12 hour shifts, there was no way I could work with a headache and would subsequently miss work. My fingers are crossed and I am hoping this is my cure. Yay!"

• Anonymous
• May 12, 2009

For Migraine Prevention "I had severe headaches every day (Imitrex didn't touch them). After starting this I became migraine free. It honestly felt like a miracle drug to me. I had to go off it to get pregnant and the migraines came right back. I am counting the days until I can go on it again for the relief from the headaches."