Elavil User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 19, 2016

For Pain "I have been on multiple medications for the burning and tingling and shooting pains in lower legs. Finally have found the most rewarding relief. I saw an endocrinologist and she ordered a nutritional drug called Metanex. I take 1 capsule twice a day and the Elavil 50 mg at bedtime. I give thanks to God and that's it. Unbelievable relief in the symptoms I have suffered with for over a year. Anyone with these symptoms should look into getting their doctor to order the Metanex for them in conjunction with the Elavil."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 2, 2016

For Fibromyalgia "I was prescribed Elavil by my rheumatologist and have been on it for 10 days. He prescribed a dose of 25 mg, but I am super sensitive to meds and have only been taking 12.5 mg. Let me just start by saying I have been on everything from Zoloft to Lyrica for depression and fibromyalgia. I have had negative experiences with most of them. I was skeptical to even try Elavil after reading some user reviews, but decided to give it a try. So far, I have noticed that I have more energy and don't feel like I am in a fog. Other side effects I've noticed: 1. Dry mouth 2. Weird dreams 3. Tired in the a.m., but more energy later on. 4. Upper back pain in the a.m. This concerns me. 5. More social 6. No pain relief for fibromyalgia. If anything, I am more aware of it. Jury's still out :/"

• SAm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2018

For Insomnia "The worst pill I've ever taken for insomnia. I got prescribed Elavil 25 mg to take before bed. I took the first tab, and it made me very sleepy and dizzy, but I could not fall asleep. I was in a state between sleep and awake. Very dry mouth, very restless, and the second morning I felt that I could not move. It also caused me headaches. Will be throwing the rest in the garbage. Terrible drug."

• edw...
• March 9, 2023

For Depression "I have been diagnosed with depression since college. Since then, I have tried every antidepressant and had no luck. My doctor put me on Elavil, and boom, depression is gone, though I have IBS-C big time. Tried to taper down from 100 mg, and got down to 60 mg, but am still constipated. It's a nightmare. I am now taking Linzess, Motegrity, Miralax, and coconut oil, which helps a little bit. Has anybody else had the same problems?"

• gal...
• August 30, 2009

For Migraine Prevention "I have used Elavil for about two years, on and off. I was prescribed this medication for a condition called Cluster headaches. Well, this medicine worked like a miracle! The next morning after taking Elavil, I didn't have a migraine, and I had been having them like clockwork for about two weeks!! Although this is an antidepressant (I wasn't depressed), this medicine did boost my mood and made me feel much better throughout the day. It also gave me a very restful night's sleep. This medicine has been claimed to make some people gain weight, but I work out at least three to four times a week and have not gained any weight. Works wonders, and if you eat healthy and work out, you shouldn't see that drastic weight gain that everyone mentions!"

• sma...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 6, 2019

For Pain "I started this drug as a migraine prevention treatment, beginning with 10 mg and moving up to 50. I also have fibromyalgia. This medication did not help me whatsoever with the migraines or the fibro. Thankfully, it does help with insomnia, but I was really super disappointed that I didn't get any headache relief. It also makes me feel stupid because I'm constantly hungover and tired during the day."

• Zan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 30, 2013

For Fibromyalgia "I was diagnosed 14 years ago with fibromyalgia. My doctor prescribed Elavil, 10 mg per day. It helped me sleep better, but my heart began beating too fast and was discontinued. It helped a little with pain."

• bia...
• June 10, 2008

For Depression "I was on Elavil for many years to help ward off migraines and it did great. Then my neurosurgeon prescribed Ultram and I had a tachycardia incident. I am very sad that I cannot be on Elavil. I used to take 10mg at bedtime and it was helpful."

• moo...
• December 12, 2009

For Pain "After a car accident a year ago and having horrible life-disrupting headaches every day, I finally got prescribed Elavil at 25mg once before bed. It has improved most of my headaches, and I sleep like a champ... all the time! The only downfalls are I sleep more now than ever, and I have gained 15 lbs. I almost think I'd rather have headaches than gain this weight."

• Adr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 26, 2016

For Interstitial Cystitis "Unfortunately, this medication had a very negative effect on me. I was supposed to take it for occasional nerve zaps that I get from having IC. When I took it, it didn't take the pain away. Instead, it changed it into a CONSTANT burning pain, which is way worse than the previous zaps. I stopped taking it, and although I was on a low dose (25 mg) a night, I got horrible withdrawal symptoms and am still dealing with panic attacks upon waking up. I know this drug has been a godsend for some people, but please be careful because it has the potential to make things way worse."

• Anonymous
• August 12, 2011

For Insomnia "After my sister died when I was 12 years old, I had a hard time sleeping, only getting 3 hours of sleep at a time. My doctor prescribed Elavil, and it worked immediately. I can finally concentrate on tasks that I could not do before. I am taking 200 mg of Elavil."

• Ind...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 17, 2015

For Depression "Elavil works in my case as a pain killer/antidepressant. It does have some cons that I was not warned about. I was told by my doctor to take 150mg before bed, so I did as told and woke up only when my wife shook me. For a second, I would eat and go right back to sleep. This happened for the first 24 hours, the next day, I had no choice but to stay awake. Being awake, I had problems with balance and depth perception. My mind was racing with what felt like hundreds of thoughts. My ability to speak was reduced to short sentences. It felt like my jaw was not moving fast enough to make more than a few sentences. After taking that dosage down from 150mg to 37.5mg, I am able to speak clearly, but my mind is still a little foggy. The back pain is not as bad."

• Jim...
• May 29, 2019

For Fibromyalgia "Taking Elavil pills at bedtime around 10 to 11 pm. First pill made me sleep for two days. Second pill less tired but slept all day. Third pill slept all day. Fourth to seventh pill less tired but no relief of pain, actually an increase of pain in lower back and tightness in shoulders and neck. Not sure if I'll take anymore! Other meds being used: Tizanidine, Armodafinil, Basaglar - long-acting insulin (other diabetic meds make me sick) - lower back pain - muscle tightness - sweating - increased hot flashes - (I wish) fruit-like breath odor - increased hunger - loss of consciousness - lack of concentration, find myself just drifting off watching shows. I usually have a busy mind, even with brain fog, I usually have a show on while doing 2-3 other things. I have a high IQ and like to use it, but with this med it dumbs me down significantly."

• Anonymous
• April 4, 2011

For Fibromyalgia "This medicine is a major player in my fibromyalgia. It helps me sleep through the night because it reduces the pain at night. I went off it for a week, and I never slept more than 2 hours continuously for that week. I give this medicine a thumbs up for that reason. It doesn't help at all for the pain I have all day."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2024

"I want to post this for others with anxiety. I have been on 20 mg of Lexapro for some years, but it was not fully addressing my anxiety. I added Elavil to it - 10 mg a night. My anxiety increased greatly for roughly the first two weeks (these are the startup effects). I am now on day 19, and the anxiety has vanished. I am so grateful for this medication. I want to leave this review for others who are having the startup anxiety. It is horrible, but so worth it. Don't give up!"

• Anonymous
• November 2, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "I suffered with migraines since I was about 12. I am now 36. My migraine attacks went from moderate to severe after the birth of my daughter. I would get attacks that would last for 10 days and would mimic symptoms of a stroke. I tried Sandomigran, which I gained 8 kg in 3 weeks. Topamax was far worse, which felt like my whole body was burning. I'm now on a combination of Zoloft 100 mg and Elavil starting at 10 mg. Generally, you're not supposed to mix the two because it can cause 'serotonin syndrome,' which can be life-threatening. However, my neurologist and psychiatrist are keeping a close eye on me. So far, Elavil has had the least side effects. I started on 10 mg and will double the dose in 2 weeks. I did notice less neck and head pain."

• Pri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2018

For Insomnia "Elavil 10 mg was prescribed mainly for my 24/7 migraine-type symptoms and increasing nerve pain. But also for these symptoms now keeping me up at night. I was always a decent sleeper. But 2 years ago, as the “head bounce” increased, so did my upset over it, and it caused chronic insomnia. Elavil works well for nerve pain. I found even handling jigsaw pieces felt like knives cutting into my fingers. Pleasant, right? Elavil allowed me to NOT feel that pain! Insomnia - works! However, a month ago, after the third night, it increased my head pain. Like sharp stabs. Soooooo, I take 10 mg once every few weeks. I realize that isn’t protocol, but don’t care. I mix my bedtime routine with an occasional Benadryl and nothing at all. Then another Elavil. Took the Elavil after not taking it for a month last night. Was able to catch up after 2 bad nights. Ahhhhhhhh... slept very well. Bottle goes back into the drawer for another few weeks."

• Anonymous
• July 14, 2008

For Migraine Prevention "No more migraines since I've been taking Elavil. I use only 12.5 mg per day, taken at night. I have tried millions of other medicines. This is the best. The first few weeks you will be very tired, it goes away, then all will finally be normal with no more head throbbing. I cocktail with 10 mg Lexapro. It's been 1 and 1/2 years of no migraines."

• Cdo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 9, 2017

For Insomnia "I've had insomnia for 2 years now. I think I've been on every prescribed and OTC med out there. I was frustrated. Until I asked about Elavil, and it was a godsend. The only side effect I noticed was constipation. Maybe an increase in appetite too."

• Sco...
• June 23, 2009

For Insomnia "I used this for a year for insomnia, but once my sleep cycle got better, they took me off of it. I am going to ask for it again as I have been reduced to 3 to 4 hours of sleep once more. I hope it works as well now as it did 20 years ago."

• Mig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 26, 2017

For Depression "I was prescribed Elavil for depression and migraine prevention. After taking only two 10 mg doses of Elavil, I had a severe manic episode. (Note: I am not bipolar.) I was shaking, pacing, unable to sleep, talking a mile a minute but making no sense, full of anxiety and rage, unable to eat or keep anything down and in a total panic. My husband took me to the ER when my heart rate went through the roof and I became short of breath. The hospital kept me overnight on a heart monitor and gave me sedatives to calm me down. My doctor wants me to try another medication, but I am terrified at the prospect. Honestly, I'd rather be depressed and have migraines than try another antidepressant. One bad experience was ENOUGH."

• 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."

• nan...
• 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."

• k-L...
• May 9, 2009

For Migraine Prevention "My neurologist started me out on 10 mg of Elavil, and within a couple of weeks, I began taking 25 mg. It took about a month for it to take effect, but until then, I had a headache almost every single day. After that, nothing. So, yes, it was very effective for me. The only side effects that I noticed were increased appetite (very much so) and weight gain. I gained about 12-14 pounds within the 4.5 months that I was on Elavil. Normally, this wouldn't be a problem. To be honest, the added pounds were worth being pain-free, but my wedding was in a few months, and nothing besides going off the medication would stop the weight gain. Now I'm taking Topamax, which is doing the job, but the side effects are way more drastic than Elavil."

• moo...
• 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."