Amitriptyline (Elavil) Hi guys, anyone have heart arrhythmia on Amitriptyline/Elavil?
Question posted by MacIntosh12 on 7 Oct 2013
Last updated on 11 October 2013
I've been having strange heart beats, my heart will suddenly flutter for about 30 seconds, which may not sound scary, but 30 seconds of fluttering actually IS scary! I've been back on Amitriptyline for one month, could it be that? I've always had this arrhythmia, but never, ever this long, just a few two-second flutters a day, but not like this!
I'm also having really bad muscle spasms in my shins, either connective tissue, nerves or muscles in shin area are causing the foot on one leg to "draw upward" (for lack of a better term) could THAT be the Amitriptyline? They happen when I'm prone or sleeping and I have to awaken because these spasms are too intense to allow me to sleep or stay in bed.
Thanks to all who want to weigh in on this! All opinions welcome! Your friend, Lara P.S. Sorry gang, but I just can't be my funny self right now, have had two tragic deaths in my family AND I had to euthanize my dog. Not super funny the last several weeks.
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9 Answers
AN
Anniebananie12
11 Oct 2013
Hi Lara! I realize I'm a day late and a dollar short in this conversation. I've gotten so behind in my emails and with this site, and I have been trying to catch up somewhat today. I wanted to share with you that several years ago I was given Elavil, and after just a few days of taking it I was feeling really jittery, nervous and upset. I had to stop taking it and try a different medication that worked better for me. I don't remember what that medication was. Also please accept my condolences about your dog. Coincidentally, today would've been our dog's 16th birthday. We had to have Holly put to sleep in February of this year because she was very feeble and sick for quite a long time. Then a few months after that, we had to put our 16-year-old cat, Pumpkin, to sleep. Pumpkin had hyperthyroidism and was very skinny and could not gain weight . She was vomiting daily until we put her on some medication that helped with that .
But even with the medication, she remained very thin and feeble. It's been a real tough year, but I am happy to know that Holly and Pumpkin are not suffering any longer! Last December, two days before Christmas, we rescued a Pomeranian-Yorkshire terrier mix dog named Leo. He turns four years old next week! He's been a great help to me to live through the loss of our two beloved pets! We had adopted Holly and Pumpkin within two months of each other when they were both puppy and kitten respectively. Good luck with getting that sleep. I know how miserable I am when I don't get enough sleep! I take Soma as a muscle relaxer and try to take it near to bedtime, as it helps me to sleep. Take care! Annie
Votes: +2
EM
Emeraldgirl
11 Oct 2013
Hello Annie I am so sorry at the loss of two members of your family. Pets are part of a family just like a human is.I was brought up with every pet under the sun which is most surprising given how house proud my mother is. We have loved and lost many times but they are never forgotten. Leo sounds delightful and I am pleased that he is presence his helping you and your family through this difficult time. Take care
SA
sara12345
8 Oct 2013
Lara, So sorry to hear about your continuing problems with still another medication. How unfair. And also with the deaths in your family and dog. So very sorry. I continue to pray for you. Sara
Votes: +3
DA
darnej
7 Oct 2013
I am so sorry that you had to deal with so much grief all at once. As for heart flutters, is it where it feels as though your heart skips a beat and you feel like you can't breathe? If so, they are called Premature Ventricular Contractions. Stress and medication can cause them. They are harmless, but annoying. Get off the Elavil. It is the medicine making you worse.
Votes: +4
MA
MacIntosh12
8 Oct 2013
Thank you, darnej, I agree with you, I think it's the amitriptyline! I've been taking it for almost exactly one month, and the heart palps should up at the one month mark.
Yes, you are describing exactly what I'm experiencing. It's been better since I stopped the amitrip, though so that's the good news! Thank you again, Lara
DA
darnej
8 Oct 2013
No problem. I had the same experience with Trazadone. I hope you find a medicine that works. It is a lot of trial and error.
MA
MacIntosh12
8 Oct 2013
Hi again darnej, Amitriptyline worked SO well for insomnia! I'm a bit disappointed that I've to discontinue it, oh lovely sleep, how I will miss it!! : ) Thank you, Lara p.s. Traz works for insomnia, correct?
DA
darnej
9 Oct 2013
Trazadone is supposed to help with sleep, but it did not for me.
EM
Emeraldgirl
9 Oct 2013
Hello Mac 12 Pleased that your health as improved since stopping Amitriptyline. Do you still feel faint or has that improved as well? Just thought I would say it is still worth getting an EKG I think you call it. Take care
MA
MacIntosh12
9 Oct 2013
EG and all, heart arrhythmia went away after I discontinued the amitrip. I'm a bit disappointed because it worked so well for sleep! Back to square one.
Sara, thank you for your kind words. You are such a good friend. Lara
EM
Emeraldgirl
9 Oct 2013
Hello Mac12 The resolution of the arrhythmia is a good thing. There are lots of other medications for sleep available. I am pleased that in this respect you are better. Take care
Poor Lara, it doesnt rain, it pours! It may be the amitriptyline but what comes to mind for me is low potassium. I know that you have said that you sweat a lot. I dont know if you take any diuretics or not but they can mess up the electrolyte balance but low potassium can cause arrhythmia's and muscle cramps, especially in the legs. You are probably not eating right either with all the stress. Get yourself some Gatorade, eat bananas or other high potassium foods. You may need some magnesium too as these conditions can go hand in hand. See symptoms of low potassium (hypokalemia): (from WebMD) Symptoms of low potassium are usually mild. At times the effects of low potassium can be vague. There may be more than one symptom involving the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, kidneys, muscles, heart and nerves.
Weakness, tiredness, or cramping in arm or leg muscles, sometimes severe enough to cause inability to move arms or legs due to weakness (much like a paralysis) Tingling or numbness Nausea or vomiting Abdominal cramping, bloating Constipation Palpitations (feeling your heart beat irregularly) Passing large amounts of urine or feeling very thirsty most of the time Fainting due to low blood pressure Abnormal psychological behaviour: depression, psychosis, delirium, confusion or hallucinations.
Very interesting huh? See your Dr and have them draw some blood work.
Votes: +3
EM
Emeraldgirl
7 Oct 2013
Good call! Good advice I think you may be right.
EM
Emeraldgirl
7 Oct 2013
Hello DZ Ps -Has deadrest contacted you? I have sent him and CK a few messages with no response from either of them. Take care
DZ
DzooBaby
7 Oct 2013
No, not so far :(
EM
Emeraldgirl
7 Oct 2013
OK. Take care
KA
kathyhanson
8 Oct 2013
EmeraldGirl and DzooBaby, CK is still having problems with the site. She can get PQs, but can't send any or answer any. Open forum answers are still hit and miss for her, too. Deadrest hasn't responded to any of us who reached out to him. So, I guess if he needs us, he will let us know. Hugs to you both, Kathy
MA
MacIntosh12
8 Oct 2013
Thank you ALL, DZ, I do take a potassium supplement but am supposed to have had blood work done two months ago and haven't, will do it TODAY! : ) Thank you!
MA
MacIntosh12
8 Oct 2013
Kath, ask CK to scroll all the way down to "contact us", she can let the admins know what is going on with her account. Lara X
DZ
DzooBaby
8 Oct 2013
yes, let me know. I'm curious to know if it is low potassium. You sure have a lot of the symptoms! I just found out that I'm quite anemic (again). I knew I was feeling tired and no matter how much I sleep I still feel like I'm slogging through mud all day! I was thinking it was probably just the morphine.
EM
Emeraldgirl
9 Oct 2013
Thank you KH for the update on CK. I just hope that deadrest is OK. Take care
MA
MacIntosh12
9 Oct 2013
DZ, so sorry about your anemia, are you taking your supplements now? Lara X
Lara, I'm on amitriptyline, but it hasn't caused the arrhythmia. Have you had an EKG just to be sure that there isn't something going on that needs to be addressed? I know the "flutters" are scary. I am taking Bystolic for an arrhythmia --- PAC, PVC and skipping beats. This, I had years before starting ami. This problem, as well as the leg spasms, could easily be caused by ami. Time to talk to your doc, darlin'! At least you can tell D that he still makes your heart "flutter"! hahahaha! Love, Kath
Votes: +3
MA
MacIntosh12
8 Oct 2013
Thank you, Kath!! Please see my comment above, regarding CK's problems with posting/reading/contacting site. XO
GA
Gary622012
7 Oct 2013
Lara, you say you have had this before the Elavil. Have you had a good workup lately with a good heart doctor? I also have Afib, & it is scary. I have to have a yearly heart exam & tests, & also have to take atenolol for the irregular heart beat. It could be the Elavil, but it sounds like you need to check with your doc, & also have at least an echocardiogram to see what's going on. It's usually caused from a leaky valve & that can be a nuisance or it can be very serious. Either way, if it were me I would get it checked out. Sorry for butting in. Saw your question, & thought I'd give you my 2 cents worth! Mary
Votes: +2
EM
Emeraldgirl
7 Oct 2013
Very good advice Mary. Take care
GA
Gary622012
7 Oct 2013
Thanks! I was on Elavil years ago for fibromyalgia, but it didn't help, & it didn't make my irregular heartbeat any worse is why I am concerned for Lara.
Hello Mac12 Firstly I am so sorry to hear that your dog was put to sleep in-addition to resent events. This is a tragic time for you and your family and my prayers go out to you all. Addressing your question -Starting with the pre-existing arrhythmia was it ever diagnoses? Some arrhythmias are not heart related even though it may feel like it is. Since commencing Amitriplyine this arrhythmia as got worse in terms of frequency, longer duration and I also note that upon standing you feel faint and as if you have a low BP. Amitriptyline can cause palpitations a general term used to cover some cardiac (heart) and non-cardiac arrhythmias. As a result of a cardiac arrhythmia a low BP upon standing, medically termed postural hypotension can occur. I think your arrhythmia could be cardiac in nature plus the other symptoms of feeling faint and as if you have a low BP means that you must seek medical attention.
To assist me further on this point how often is it occurring and when it happens is your pulse 1) fast and or irregular or 2) fast pulse but steady. Depending on how frequently your arrhythmia occurs would help in terms of contacting your GP asap or going to the ER. A fast, slow or irregular heart beat is rather frightening so how you feel is normal. Just try not to worry too much about it as it can make things worse. If it gets worse and or you become more concerned go to the ER. Amitriptyline can cause muscle spasm and muscle tightness as Delila stated (Hello Delila). Take care
Votes: +3
MA
MacIntosh12
8 Oct 2013
Thank you so much, EG, I don't know about my pulse, but great question.
I agree, EG, worrying about it can def make it much worse, I haven't been worried, just curious if amitrip could cause it, and voila, I stopped the amitrip and the palpitations or arrhythmia is almost gone. Side effects are just such a drag! But for every action there is a reaction. That applies to medicine as well as physics!
Thanks again, Lara (or Mac)
DE
Delila
7 Oct 2013
Hi Lara. I am so sorry about the loss of your family members, and your dog! How awful for you. Losing a pet can be just as painful as a human death, i still haven't got over my dog's passing. I have looked at the potential side effects associated with taking Amitriptyline, and the following, which are linked to the symptoms you are experiencing are as follow: Slow, or irregular heartbeat, inability to move arms, legs, or facial muscles, lack of coordination, muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities, muscle tightness, muscle trembling, jerking, or stiffness, muscle twitching, severe muscle stiffness, twisting movements of body pain or discomfort in arms, jaw, back, or neck, unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination. Some people just don't get along well with this medication, maybe it would be best to discuss with your doctor about trying an alternative? Thinking of you at this tough time, D x
Votes: +3
MA
MacIntosh12
7 Oct 2013
Dearest Delila, BINGO, we have a winner, it's our lovely Delila! Thank you, this must be the problem! Love Lara
BE
Bearcat315
7 Oct 2013
I once took Elavil for what were supposed to be psychotic episodes, I found out later on when I experienced actual psychosis during a psychotic break that it was unnecessary at the time. I had poor motor function when I took it, same with seroquel I felt like I had low blood pressure also. I'm sorry to hear about your horrible week. Loss is not a good topic with me I have a hard time dealing with it, I usually end up stuffing my emotions until I can't bear the pain anymore. I use to live by the mantra everything has reason and meaning, I still believe it just not like I used to.
Votes: +3
MA
MacIntosh12
7 Oct 2013
Thank you, Bearcat.
That is a good mantra to live by, my friend, it does make loss or heartache easier to bear... or is it bare, you know what I mean, I'm quite sure!
I too stand up and feel like I may have low blood pressure - there is a whooshing sound and pounding in my ears and I feel as if I may just faint, so we aren't all that dissimilar my friend. But this heart arrhythmia is incredibly frightening, I really should call my doc about it I suppose.
Thank you again, Your friend, Lara
BE
Bearcat315
7 Oct 2013
Dizziness, yeah I hate that feeling, low blood pressure. It could possibly be the problem, it can get dangerously low then it's life threatening. I'd check with your Dr ASAP. You don't need that on top of all you're going through.
MA
MacIntosh12
7 Oct 2013
Thank you for your kind words, Bearcat, I appreciate your thoughtfulness! Lara
BE
Bearcat315
7 Oct 2013
You're welcome Lara, I also appreciate yours. Support is important in difficult times.
