Amitriptyline for Anxiety and Stress User Reviews (Page 2)

• wen...
• October 2, 2013

"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."

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

"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."

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

Amitriptyline "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

"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."

• ano...
• September 23, 2014

Amitriptyline "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

"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."

• Ang...
• January 21, 2016

Amitriptyline "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!"

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

"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."

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

"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."

• Tim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 15, 2018

"I was having the most horrible panic attacks and pretty constant anxiety where, if it had continued, I really don't want to contemplate what I would have done to stop it all. After taking amitriptyline 50mg for 7 days, it all stopped dead! Thank you, Amitriptyline! I have my life back and now feel normal again. I highly recommend it!"

• Viv...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 18, 2024

"This is an amazing medication. I have been on amitriptyline for 15 years. It is one of the best things happening in my life. Can’t imagine my life without it. It changed my life and also so many other people in my family and my friends. Initially, I had a very bad shoulder injury due to work when I was 40 years old, and my doctor said I had to change jobs. A 40-year-old woman without any other skills and a bad shoulder injury, no way I can find another job. I have a little kid and old parents I need to look after and a home loan to pay. I was so stressed. Lucky, my doctor is very experienced. It not just helps me with my muscles, but also makes me sleep so much better, much less stress. Focusing and concentrating. The most important thing is to start from 5 mg (the lowest dose is 10 mg, but start from half). Increase 5 mg every week if necessary."

• uni...
• October 18, 2013

"I started taking amitriptyline this year (2013) after having a medicine cabinet looking like a pharmaceutical company. I must say this is the only one that helps me. I have severe anxiety and panic attacks along with constant worry and stress that had me on rock bottom. I take 25mg, which is fine. It does make you sleepy, but it's so worth it. I'm 27, no kids, just coping with life."

• UGa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 8, 2020

"I was skeptical about using Amitriptyline after I read about it online, but I later found out I didn’t really read about it properly after my doctor prescribed it for treating my tension headaches and anxiety. I must say the drug has been amazing even at low doses of 10mg or less, but it makes me feel so sleepy even after I wake up for work. If I let it take its course for a long sleep, I feel great, and my tension headaches are gone just after a week of taking it."

• Mrs...
• March 21, 2011

Amitriptyline "I'm bipolar. I've been on various medicines for almost 10 years. Well, my Dad died a few months ago. The depression and anxiety were so bad I could not function. My doctor prescribed this, along with my 40mg of Celexa. It took about a month to 6 weeks before I felt any better. But I also have chronic pain from spinal arthritis. This medication has helped me get my life back! But in the process, I've gained 20 lbs in 8 weeks, and I was already overweight. It's helped with my chronic pain and with the depression. I love how I feel on this but not the weight gain."

• out...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 24, 2016

"I struggled horribly with severe anxiety for years. I tried all kinds of natural remedies and doctor-prescribed medicines, but nothing worked long term. Then two years ago, I was diagnosed with interstitial cystitis and was prescribed amitriptyline for pain. What I got was amazing relief from my anxiety and stress. Now I know what people mean when they say 'I got my life back'. I take 5mg before bed. I sleep great and have a little trouble waking up because I sleep so well, but once I'm up, I'm fine. No drowsiness and no more anxiety."

• Nik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 13, 2013

Amitriptyline "I've been taking 20mg of amitriptyline for 2 weeks, and I have slept extremely well every night. I have so much more energy during the day. I sleep solidly and right through the night, which is unusual for me these days. My stressful job and back pain often leave me anxious and tossing and turning every night. Then I end up grumpy, run down, and feeling sick as a result. So far, it has not helped with my anxiety or depression, but getting a good night's sleep helps me cope and gives me energy to attend yoga and exercise. I believe the dose may be too small to help with depression. I'm also taking this as it is the most studied antidepressant used during pregnancy, and the SSRI's give me insomnia. I have almost no side effects so far."

• JLS...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 1, 2014

"I was having an anxiety disorder (shaking hands, blushing, obsessions). I was put on sertraline but had a terrible side effect to this and was put on 20mg amitriptyline to counteract this. From the moment I took it, my hands stopped shaking and intrusive thoughts reduced. I was upped to 50mg and I am back to my old self. Hardly any worries at all, no shaking, feel happy. No dry mouth but I have probably put a stone of weight on and gone up 1-2 dress sizes. This side effect is worth it for the benefits it has given me."

• Tob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 28, 2017

"I too have always been anti-medication. I've had extreme panic attacks for decades. I managed to get my panic in order on my own to a degree, but due to high stress at work for a long period, it came back in the form of hypochondria. I have invented almost every illness and was spending thousands on tests to put my mind at ease. I started getting shooting pains all over, like nerve pain. I thought it was MS, but MRI said otherwise. Doc put me on these for the pain, but secretly think she wanted to try and medicate me for anxiety, which I always refused. Give it a few months, people. I'm only on 10-20 mg a night, but after these months have gone past, I've noticed I'm no longer obsessing on irrational thoughts. Good luck!"

• Anonymous
• June 12, 2015

"I have had stress for 5 years since I had a car accident. Every day, I feel very uncomfortable and wish I could have a normal life. I went to this page and decided to take this drug. I got my life back."

• zek...
• December 7, 2015

Amitriptyline "I have tried almost every medicine for GAD (Xanax, Celexa, Paxil, Wellbutrin, Lamictal, Seroquel, Buspar) but it seems that Amitriptyline is the only drug that works for me. I also take 300 mg of Lyrica for chronic pain and 150 mg of Effexor XR in the morning and 50 mg of Amitriptyline before sleep. It changed my life."

• Waz...
• July 12, 2019

"I've had every antidepressant and I wasn't getting any relief at all. My grandma was a nurse, and she had the same problem with anxiety and stress related to sleep. She told me she found amitriptyline to be the only one that gave her any relief. I started taking them, one 25mg at lunch and one 25mg before bed. They helped with sleep enormously and reduced my anxiety. It did not take it away completely, but it worked better than anything I had tried before. I believe the ability to fall asleep without excessive thinking and not waking up every hour certainly helped. After a week, I consulted my GP, and he prescribed me a higher dose of 25mg at lunch and 75mg at night. I was also on propranolol, which helped with my racing heart. I took 20 mg of propranolol twice a day, and both medications made a noticeable difference."

• Tom...
• July 27, 2015

"5 years ago, my gastro Dr put me on this med for nerve pain. I was not having to take it each night, usually 3 to 4 nights of as little as 12mg, sometimes even less at 6.5 mg did the trick. I found that the medication made it a bit harder to wake up in the morning but I was able to sleep through the night. I am now having trouble sleeping due to increased stress and anxiety, and the medication has been helpful in helping me sleep. Only issue for me has been the dry mouth in the morning, which is manageable. I also try to eat right and exercise daily, which has helped my anxiety. In reading the reviews, I can certainly relate to what many of you are going through. Unless you've been through it, people have no idea what it's like."

• Dub...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 13, 2016

"Had a very bad experience with anxiety three years ago, couldn't eat or sleep properly, feeling nauseous, diarrhea every morning. Tried Lexapro for 3 nights but made diarrhea worse. Started on 10mg of amitriptyline each night, symptoms improved for a week and then started to come back. Went on 25mg every night and have been taking it ever since. Would not like to stop taking it now as I feel so much happier in myself, side effects were a dry mouth for about a week but nothing after that."

• yee...
• February 5, 2019

"This has been a lifesaver so far for me! I am currently on 10mg, and it has made such an improvement with my anxiety and sleep problems! I used to get terrible anxiety in class and other social situations, which triggered terrible stomach aches. Both of which have nearly gone because of this drug. I have severe anxiety, so I know this drug won’t fully help the anxiety due to the fact that it is supposed to help mild anxiety but believe me, it does do wonders! I was very unsure about taking it at first (because I was worried it wouldn’t do anything, that’s the anxiety speaking) but in order for it to help you must put your faith in it, and it will help!"

• Fin...
• November 11, 2013

"I have been taking Endep for around 2 weeks now. Prior to that, I was having psychotic tendencies and severe bouts of rage almost every day, which was brought on by underlying anxiety. Endep (and Valium) have allowed me to live a normal life. I have gotten back into things I enjoy. I feel like a different person. I am more sociable and 100 times happier in general. I hope this helps someone in a similar situation."