Amitriptyline for Depression User Reviews (Page 5)

• Bri...
• February 29, 2016

"I used Tryptanol 20 years ago and found that this med worked for me. After trying so many other antidepressant medications, I have found that I am always having to increase them, then they work for a while, and then I have to increase the meds again. I recently went on Endep, and I could notice a difference in a few days. I chose to go back on these meds. It wasn't the Dr's suggestion. I'm so glad I went back on these :) The only side effect I have noticed is a dry mouth."

• Red...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 31, 2016

"Have been on this drug for almost 3 weeks. Started out on 25 mg and am currently taking 50 mg. Helped tremendously with much needed sleep. Make sure to be in bed when the medicine kicks in. You will sleep a long time, but to me, it's worth it! I've seen small improvements. Believe it's causing me to be pretty dizzy. Will give it time though! Will update later on. I am very glad my doctor tried this type of antidepressant. Been on Lexapro, Zoloft, Cymbalta, and Wellbutrin. I believe they just aren't as strong as the older antidepressants. Good luck to you. Hold on even if you feel like there is no hope left!"

• Per...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 30, 2015

Amitriptyline "I've tried about every medication out there for my anxiety and depression: Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Paxil, Cymbalta, Emsam, Xanax, etc. At 75mg, Elavil helped me sleep. I had more energy, I didn't feel restless, and I rarely got upset. I thought I had found the perfect cure until I started to gain weight. I decreased my calorie intake, increased my exercise, and the weight just kept coming. In 4 months, I had gained 26 pounds. I also started to have severe dry mouth; my throat was dry, and my voice was hoarse. I also started to have blurred vision. I really like this medicine but know I can handle the side effects."

• Orc...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 22, 2015

"Diagnosed with depression/anxiety 10 years ago. I have practically been on every SSRI, SNRI, Seroquel, and all kinds of benzodiazepines (do NOT recommend - highly addictive!). I felt so frustrated that none of the antidepressants were working for me and avoided tricyclics for fear of weight gain. Last week, I finally realized that I need serious help as I was planning suicide. I'm back on 100 mg Endep and 25 mg Seroquel if needed at night. I sleep fantastically and wake up feeling so refreshed. Sleeping makes a HUGE difference, and the funny thing is now that I'm feeling good, I'm out of bed and exercising. I know it's scary to think about weight gain, but it really is different for everyone and it's worth a shot! Endep's been the only one for me. Good luck!"

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

Amitriptyline "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."

• Pk7...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 12, 2015

"Not recommending this. On 25 mg, knocked me out for 12 hours and groggy for the next 12 hours. Cut pill into quarters and still had a strong effect, causing grogginess all of the next day. Went to trazodone, which is perfect for me."

• sac...
• October 31, 2015

"I am an ex-heroin user and have currently been on a methadone program for fifteen years. I'm on propranolol for anxiety and chlorpromazine 50 mg for psychotic episodes. I'm also on Seroquel 200 mg during the day and 250 mg at night. My psychiatrist put me on amitriptyline 50 mg for depression and really bad anxiety. I haven't felt so good in years, get a great night's sleep, and I take it during the day, it helps with anxiety attacks. I was constipated really badly for years, and now I can go every day. Excellent results for me."

• aff...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 15, 2015

Amitriptyline "I was on 75 mg of Endep and noticed two extreme side effects, which led to me having to stop taking the medication. The first was rapid and excessive weight gain; I gained 6 kgs (13 pounds) within 8 weeks (at 160 cm, this is quite a bit of weight). I had no change in my diet; my exercise stayed the same, so the Endep was the only thing that could have caused the weight gain. The second was extreme night terrors. These occurred every night and were extremely frightening for myself and family, as I would wake up screaming and kicking every night. This occurred almost immediately after starting the Endep. Since stopping the Endep 2 weeks ago, the night terrors have ceased completely, and I have lost 1 kg with no change in diet."

• Cal...
• September 22, 2015

"I have suffered for many, many years with major depressive disorder among others. I have tried way too many different drugs to alleviate my symptoms. While most meds helped to some degree, it was rather like putting a bandaid on a hemorrhaging aorta. Since I have started on only 25 mg of amitriptyline, my life has turned around. I feel like my old self. I never dreamed I would have the opportunity to feel so 'normal'. The years were flying by, and I thought my lot in life was to get by with my bandaid firmly affixed. Now I am strong emotionally, and whatever has come down the pike has not paralyzed my being. I am thrilled and grateful that my Psych let me try this. At 69 (and a half), I truly have a new lease on the rest of my life."

• won...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 20, 2015

"I have been suffering from depression almost all my life. I've been on several different medications throughout the last 10 years. I ended up with peripheral neuropathy last year and was sent to a neurologist. He put me on amitriptyline for the burning, and he also said it will help with insomnia and my depression. I absolutely am happy with this drug!!! Better than Prozac, I still have feelings (lol). Anyhow, if you're debating on this medication, I recommend it 100 percent. I take 100mg a couple of hours before bed, unless I get upset during the day (then I'll take 25mg just to take the edge off). Then I'll just take 75mg before bed."

• drm...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 29, 2015

"Works great! Tried most antidepressants, this works the best for me. Dry mouth and constipation lessen over time, but it is still quite sedating."

• kur...
• May 5, 2015

"I feel way better on Elavil than Cymbalta. I'm back to being me, not a grumpy, stressed monster. I'm going to call my doctor to personally thank him for switching me."

• mog...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 20, 2015

"I have been on this antidepressant for many years, and while it has helped me to sleep, I have had really bad tinnitus, so I won't be taking it again."

• kls...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 8, 2015

"I've had severe anxiety my whole life, paired with depression and bipolar disorder. Ever since I was a child, I've had chronic migraines and headaches, especially at ages when I just shouldn't be having them. My doctor prescribed me this to calm me down and help stabilize my brain activity, to halt the anxiety and depression he thought was causing my headaches and migraines. The pill worked fine after the first few doses, but I guess my body developed a tolerance. Now, when I don't take it, I'm extremely nervous and my depressive tendencies skyrocket. My headaches and migraines never went away. I feel that this pill had a negative effect on me rather than actually helping, and I will be consulting my doctor for something else."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 4, 2014

Amitriptyline "I'm 16 years old and I started taking Zoloft for depression about a year ago. I started off at 25mg, then 50mg, and things still didn't seem to be 'right.' I was constantly sick and throwing up, and I just felt like it wasn't working. So they bumped me up to 75mg of Zoloft, and then to 100mg. For my body and age, 100mg was a lot for me to take, but it finally made me feel better. I wasn't as down, but I had awful side effects. I couldn't sleep, eat, or do anything, but lay in bed, and I had awful migraines. I was so sick of changing meds, but I couldn't deal with being this sick, so on top of the Zoloft, I was prescribed Elavil. It was like night and day. Helped me sleep and took all my side effects away!"

• BUT...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 22, 2014

"I take this for bipolar disorder 2, with severe depressive episodes. Helps tremendously for my depression symptoms, as well as aiding in controlling mood swings along with a mood stabilizer. Helps with insomnia tremendously. Sometimes the daytime sedation can last a long time at higher doses, and you'll probably get dry mouth, constipation, or blurry vision/dizziness, at least at first. This medication works great for a lot of people when other things fail, just be aware that the trade-off is that some annoying side effects are fairly common. Myself, the benefits far outweigh the negatives."

• Dea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 10, 2014

"My husband has bipolar disorder and suffers from chronic back/sciatic work-related pain. He'd only been restlessly sleeping 2-3 hours a night for the past 10 years. This had increased his mood swings and cyclothymia to unmanageable proportions!! UK doctor prescribed 10mg amitriptyline, to be taken at night 2 hours before bed. After two weeks, this was increased to 20mg per night. The effect has been nothing short of miraculous. He sleeps really well for 7-8 hours a night, wakes refreshed & cheerful. It's helped him cope differently with depression - staying calm & getting CBT therapy. (Something he'd never have volunteered for in his 'normal' bipolar anger/depression cycling). Has also noticed lessening of pain. It's saved our marriage."

• cam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2014

"I'm taking this more as a mood stabilizer. The medicine has caused my tongue to be sore, excessive dry lips, mouth, and throat. It has helped with my mood, though. I can't take this medicine anymore. I'm contacting my doctor for some other medication."

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

"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."

• BBe...
• October 8, 2013

"My previous doctor put me on 10 mg to try and help me sleep but it stopped working. My new doctor increased it to 35 mg (25 mg and 10 mg). I don't fall asleep right away but I do sleep and have a good night's sleep. I feel better in general, not moody like I used to be. Along with anxiety, I must have had mild depression. I had side effects of a dry mouth but that has gone away."

• Bra...
• July 17, 2013

Amitriptyline "I suffer an array of chronic pain/low back and leg issues. My doctor, after many failed attempts of finding the right medication for me, used this in conjunction with the muscle relaxant Robaxin. In the first three days, there was notable significant relief of virtually all pain. I continue to take 75mg twice a day, and I feel like I have my life back again. This medicine has been a blessing."

• Bob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 13, 2013

"I was really depressed. This helped."

• Cat...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 8, 2013

Amitriptyline "I have been on Elavil for depression for 20 years. I did have some problems with not remembering that I had told someone something already. This has gotten better as I made a conscious effort to remember things. I still have some problems with memory in forgetting where I put things. The best thing that happened is I have not had a headache in 20 years. I used to have bad headaches 2-3 times a week so this has been well worth putting up with side effects."

• Sad...
• January 23, 2013

"I was having bad headaches, and recently stopped taking Zoloft, it didn't work. This helped a lot with the headaches and helped me to sleep better. I started having more vivid dreams while sleeping. This is the best antidepressant I've taken. I didn't even know it was an antidepressant until I looked it up. As I swore never to take antidepressants again, but it helped with the headaches, so I guess I will just keep taking this magic pill. I wish I was prescribed this years sooner!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 8, 2012

"Felt a bit groggy at first but now I'm good! Mood swings cut way down now that I'm sleeping!"