Amitriptyline User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

• wen...
• October 2, 2013

For Anxiety and Stress "I've been on this med for a week for anxiety and depression following a major operation for cancer. I just couldn't pick myself up, had a breakdown, I guess. Started at 25mg, then up to 50mg. Sleep like a baby. No side effects apart from a healthy appetite, which I need as I've lost weight. They have saved my life. I got so low I didn't want to be here."

• Fog...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2013

Amitriptyline for Pain "10mg used to provide a pain-free night's sleep. I have a pinched sciatic nerve. After cortisone injection under general anesthetic, I experienced cramps that disturbed my sleep. This medicine is now giving me a good night's sleep, and I wake refreshed in the morning."

• Lee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 24, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I've been taking these meds for over a year and it has done wonders for me. I've tried other medications for anxiety and depression, but none of them worked, and most just made my depression worse and did nothing for my anxiety, so I stopped trying meds for that for a while. My doctor originally prescribed amitriptyline for insomnia but was hopeful it'd help with anxiety too. I have never slept better in my life, and it's reduced my anxiety a miraculous amount. The first few days taking it made me feel awful, and I was out of it the whole time, but after that, it only got better. I tried going off it after a year, but the anxiety was unbearable, and I got little to no sleep, so I'm back on it. Only side effect is that my heartbeat is faster than normal, especially at night but not to a degree where it's unbearable."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 2, 2012

For Depression "I started this medicine just last week and have already had a complete personality change for the better. I didn't even realize how bad my depression was until I got rid of it. I didn't think any medication would work, let alone so quickly. This medication has planted the seed of a thought in my head: there is always hope!"

• Tha...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 5, 2017

Amitriptyline for Anxiety and Stress "Started 25mg for crippling panic attacks! Had them for 6-7 months without even any relief from Xanax... first and only med that has worked for me without side effects! Couldn't even take an SSRI, felt so sick from them... 25mg saved my life!"

• Lin...
• April 16, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been very against any kind of mental health medication, and was very reluctant to try amitriptyline, but my anxiety and insomnia were eroding my quality of life. This has literally been a wonder drug for me, and on such a low dosage. 20mg at night and 10mg each morning. My anxiety is greatly reduced, and intrusive nagging thoughts have vanished. I don't know if this is because I am now sleeping well for the first time ever, or because of the mild sedating effects. But whatever, it certainly works, and I was so sure it wouldn't. Only side effect is a dry mouth, but that's easily remedied with a sip of water. A very positive experience. It really has changed my life for the better."

• CKB...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 16, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I am 24 years old, and I started seeing immediate improvement in my migraine symptoms on a dose of 10mg of amitriptyline. Just on 10mg, my daily pain was reduced, and I found myself reaching for OTC painkillers only every 3rd day or so instead of daily. It gave me clarity of mind, and I was able to process where I was feeling my pain more precisely, which was very valuable information for my doctor. Before taking this drug, my head pain was so bad I was unable to clarify where I was feeling it. I could not process it at all. I have since been bumped up to 20mg daily, and things have improved even further. I am able to spend afternoons and evenings with friends and family without reaching for painkillers. I am not as afraid of committing to plans in fear of an inevitable migraine. Being pain-free in this regard is something I haven't felt in over a decade. I feel hope for the future knowing I don't have to spend my days in fear of pain. Truly incredible and life-changing."

• lad...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 20, 2016

Amitriptyline for Depression "I am a mother of 3 kids, 33, and have anxiety/depression. I was on Effexor 150 mg. This should be illegal! It didn't work and if a dose was missed, it felt like a few hours of a drug 'rush' like speed or cocaine... intense night sweats, highly addictive. AVOID! Celexa had bad sexual side effects. Zoloft is a 'robot drug'. I am getting back to Elavil 10 mg. Elavil is great, I feel happy on it. It makes me enjoy life and the little things again. I don't need to take much for it to work and I have no side effects at all on a 10 mg daily dose. I felt sleepy for two weeks when I started but it resorbs and you can then feel its full beneficial effects quickly, general mood elevation, and good feeling. Anxiety is under control on it and I sleep better."

• ano...
• September 23, 2014

Amitriptyline for Anxiety and Stress "This medication has been very effective for my anxiety. I've taken 75mg for the past 9 years. No more heart palpitations or tightness in my chest. I have tried others prior to Elavil, but found I woke up with a hangover and an out-of-body feeling. If I forget to order a refill before I run out, it takes 3 days to feel the effects."

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2014

For Anxiety and Stress "I've been taking this medicine for 4 months now at 50mg at bedtime and it has changed my life. Anxiety, stress and depression are strongly minimized. I fall instantly asleep instead of being up all night worrying. Best sleep in 20 years."

• Anonymous
• April 22, 2008

Amitriptyline for Insomnia "I was prescribed Elavil to help me sleep. I used to toss and turn and think about the day, the next day, and the day after. I take this medication, and I am asleep within 20 minutes. I sleep all night without waking up. I also take it to get a complete night's sleep to refresh my body to fight the next day with fibromyalgia."

• Ang...
• January 21, 2016

Amitriptyline for Anxiety and Stress "I have been on about everything you can imagine for my stress and anxiety. Nothing worked and for years I have been miserable. I was put on Elavil and didn't feel much of an effect but once the doctor bumped me up to 100 mg a day, I am a new person. It has changed my life. I wake up and feel like dancing!"

• Ilo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 14, 2020

For Depression "Please don't be afraid to take Amitriptyline. I have taken Wellbutrin, Prozac, Zoloft, Pristiq, and finally Amitriptyline. Wellbutrin gave me a horrendous rash and worsened anxiety. Prozac did nothing. Zoloft made me gain 50 pounds because I loved to sleep on it. Pristiq was OK, but I still had some awful PMS symptoms (cramps, anxiety, and migraines). Trintellix didn't work. Amitriptyline is my saving grace! Don't be afraid of it. My doctor avoided prescribing it because it has such a bad reputation. I'm doing Keto and IF (intermittent fasting) to counteract it. I feel fantastic, stable, happy, I get a great night's rest, and I have energy! ❤️ When you first start it, it will knock you out for about 24 hours. I'd start it when you have the following day off work."

• SGa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 11, 2020

For Fibromyalgia "After suffering for years and the pain of not knowing that I had fibromyalgia, I finally found a doctor who sent me to a rheumatologist who diagnosed me in one visit with fibromyalgia. The doctor said I probably had it for a long time. I was already taking amitriptyline for depression and irritable bowel syndrome when the doctor told me that it would be a great medicine for me to try for fibromyalgia. However, I had only been taking it when I couldn’t sleep. I started taking it every night, and my pain level has at least been cut in half. It's important to take amitriptyline every night for it to be effective for fibromyalgia. I have never had any side effects or bad reactions to amitriptyline and I have been taking it for five years."

• Chl...
• November 13, 2013

For Pain "I suffered with chronic pain for about seven years. Went to many specialists who told me either nothing was wrong or I had fibromyalgia. I tried all medications out there for pain, muscle relaxers, antidepressants, and medication for epilepsy. As well as meds for fibro. Nothing helped. Finally, I found a new neurologist who put me on a combination of Amitriptyline and Prozac. I am on both the smallest doses. It has been a miracle for my pain. I wish I would have known about this 7 years ago. My biggest problem with it is weight gain like 13 pounds. My diet has not changed and I took up running. But no weight comes off. I guess I would rather have less pain and be a little overweight than skinny and in tons of pain."

• It ...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 26, 2013

For Depression "I was one of those people who thought nothing would work for me - I was too far gone and beyond help. Restless, sleepless nights and all the anxiety and depression were killing me. And then I found Amitriptyline. At last... Sleep. That's all that mattered to begin with. You simply cannot underestimate the power of sleep. During the day I felt far less agitated and less stressed. Of course, life can still throw slings and arrows your way and there are side effects for sure, but none as bad as the frazzled state I was in before I took them."

• Yik...
• September 30, 2013

Amitriptyline for Fibromyalgia "I have only been taking Elavil for two weeks but I've been in pain for twenty years. I also have big problems sleeping and staying asleep. Since I started Elavil, I have less pain plus I sleep well. I actually had a no pain day, which I have not had in a long time."

• dez...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 8, 2014

For Insomnia "I currently take 25mg and sleep just fine. Remember that lower dosages 25-50mg are for insomnia, the more you take, you move into the antidepressant effects and become less effective for sleep. So 300mg isn't going to help your insomnia and may increase it."

• Sri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 25, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "Amitriptyline worked well for insomnia, depression, anxiety, sadness, lack of interest in daily activities, boredom, suicidal thoughts, etc. Helped relieve headache, migraine, and nerve pain. It saved my life... thanks a lot."

• Zub...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 10, 2015

Amitriptyline for Pain "My doctor prescribed this as my pain from arthritis was constantly waking me up every night. From day 1, it has enabled me to get a full night's sleep. I will keep taking it, as nothing else has worked. It does not, in any way, interfere with daily work-a godsend."

• bar...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 8, 2013

Amitriptyline for Pain "I am taking Endep 100mg at night for nerve pain in my lower left leg and the outer side of my right leg. The nerve pain was intolerable, and I was seriously suicidal. I have been on Endep, Baclofen, and Epilim for 7 years and can now enjoy my life so much more. The downside is loss of libido and dry mouth, but without Endep, I could not enjoy my life at all."

• Mic...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 18, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I have been diagnosed with chronic migraine disease. I began taking amitriptyline as a preventative 1 and a half years ago, while having more than 19 migraines per month. The preventative reduces my migraine down to about one or two migraines per month!"

• Ton...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 18, 2019

For Insomnia "Since I was prescribed amitriptyline by my doctor a few years ago, I feel it's the only thing that works for me. I've been prescribed Somas, Valium, Xanax, Tramadol, Percocet, Vicodin. Even though I like the way these make me feel, when I take the amitriptyline, I don't feel withdrawal. I am able to fall asleep and stay asleep. I've gained an appetite again, back pain is minimal, and I really don't see any negatives to this drug. A lot of people say they have bad dreams, so on and so forth. I feel this is the best drug for me. I was diagnosed with sciatica, degenerative disc disease, a cracked disc in my back, bulged discs in my neck, and rheumatoid arthritis, but with a little bit of exercise and stretching. Now I do not take any other medication besides 10 mg amitriptyline. I do not wake up feeling groggy, still able to function. I definitely recommend this drug to anybody with the same conditions, plus depression and insomnia. In my eyes, this is a miracle drug for me."

• Hea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 13, 2021

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I don't know where I'd be if I hadn't found these reviews. After 17 months of daily pain & worsening diarrhea (which started out of the blue), I stumbled across this page & asked my gastroenterologist to prescribe this med. Within 10 days on 10 mg my pain was gone. After increasing to 20 mg, I started having normal bowel movements most days. I did just have a bad 4-day flare-up so I'm increasing to 30 mg. In the last year, I've had endoscopy, colonoscopy, CAT scan, swallowing study, fecal & blood tests, & gene testing. I've tried Imodium, Bentyl, Pepto, iron pills, fiber & Gas-X, acupuncture, probiotics, meditation. Nothing worked. I have never been suicidal but had been wondering (at age 49) if all my good years were behind me & life wasn't worth living. I hope my dose increase helps. If so, this is a miracle drug. The dry mouth & slight fatigue are worth it."

• 30y...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 16, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "In the beginning, amitriptyline was a terrible drug for me. I took it once during a pretty bad period of anxiety, about 30mg, and it just took me from anxious to being confused and emotionally passive. So I thought it was not for me. Then I started taking 5mg for pain after some pain in my shoulder combined with migraine attacks. Not only did it help me sleep at night, but it also started doing wonders for my anxiety. So I think if you manage to power through the drowsy period when you get used to it, it's actually a really great drug with few side effects. I used to swear by gabapentin, but amitriptyline has proven to be so much better. It has reduced my need for so many other drugs, and I've gotten my brain function back due to less heavy drugs. It has also made me need medication less often, which is eventually what you want."