I'm going into surgery soon for trigeminal neuralgia and told not to take nsaids.
Amitriptyline - is this an NSAID?
Question posted by bpop49 on 5 Sep 2011
Last updated on 11 September 2011
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
3 Answers
DzooBaby
6 Sep 2011
It is not an NSAID so no worries on that score but do be sure to let the anesthesiologist know that you have bee taking amitriptyline though. It is very important that they know of ALL the medications, OTC drugs including vitamins and supplements and herbal products that you take or have taken recently. Good luck with your upcoming surgery-hope that all goes well!
primetimegrape
6 Sep 2011
Amitriptyline, also known by the brand name Elavil is a tricyclic antidepressant. It is primarily used to treat depression, but it also has secondary usages such as the treatment of eating disorders, post-herpetic neuralgia-helps reduce inflammation and pain in association with shingles and it is also used for migraine headaches. I was on these once and they made me very tired, a possible side effect. Sweating, constipation, unsteadiness, confusion and dry mouth are other possible side effects. This is not an NSAID, so don't worry about that. Hope this info. helps. God Bless!
Inactive
6 Sep 2011
Good answer. I just have one more thing to add. It can be used as a sleep aid and to ease nerv pain.
Inactive
6 Sep 2011
I'm finding it to be very helpful with intersistial cystitis - (bladder pain) too, and with sleep. An old medication shows it has a lot of life in it still - don't throw this one away just yet!
bpop49
7 Sep 2011
hasn't helped with headaches but has done wonders with sleep, do have some of side effects but have managed them well, thanks for the info and god bless to you too
Jillynnie
5 Sep 2011
bpop49,
Amitriptyline is a tricyclic anti-depressant. Not sure why you are on it, but it is used for several functions and most recently has been discovered that it helps with fibromyalgia. It is not an nsaid which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory. This would be things such as: Aleve, ibuprophen, celebrex, toradol, etc.
These contain a type of blood thinning proponent and therefore it is important to stop prior to surgery.
Hope this helps,
~Jillynnie
bpop49
6 Sep 2011
thank you so much as I am alittle nervous with surgery coming, am on this for fybromygia and sleeping, seems to help alot as both are good right now and have been for afew years, thanks again, this will relieve my mind some and will take so am rested for surgery.
Jillynnie
6 Sep 2011
I am glad this helped. Good luck with your surgery.
Please check back in with us and let us know how you are doing.
Best wishes,
~Jillynnie
Inactive
6 Sep 2011
Don't want to discourage anyone for sure, but I was diagnosed with fibro in 1992, & doc said I'd probably had it for 30 years. He started me on amitriptyline to help with sleep, which it did for awhile, but didn't get the REM sleep needed to relieive the fibro symptoms. Everything works different for eveyone, so luck to you. Just wanted you to know this is a very old treatment to help with sleep. Just my thoughts...
Inactive
6 Sep 2011
Missed the fact you are having surgery, sorry. I would most definately check with the surgeon doing your procedure about your current meds. They will usually tell you what ones they want to to take or not take 24 hours prior to surgery. If you are concerned, a quick call to his office nurse should clear this up for you...
bpop49
7 Sep 2011
thanks, I'm on it for fybromyalgia and has done wonders for my sleep pattern, am so good in that area wish it could have helped trigemial, I will be fine in surgery, lots of prayers with me
Jillynnie
7 Sep 2011
bpop,
So glad you have your prayer warriors going in to surgery!!
Please keep us updated when you get back. Want to know how you are doing!
Best wishes,
~Jillynnie
Inactive
11 Sep 2011
Yes, I have a friend with trigeminal neuralgia. Do let us know how your surgery went - I would like to pass the news on to her. I understand it is an incredible intense pain that you suffer with - I will pray that the surgery will completely relieve your pain.
Related topics
trigeminal neuralgia, neuralgia, amitriptyline, surgery
Further information
- Amitriptyline uses and safety info
- Amitriptyline prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Amitriptyline (detailed)
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.