Amitriptyline for Fibromyalgia User Reviews (Page 2)

• Emm...
• September 11, 2016

"I have been taking this (10 mg) for just over a week, and the results are amazing. I take it a couple of hours before bed (8ish) and wake up no problem at 7 am the next day. It has really helped with my sleep (I use a tracker), and my fibro pain is now pretty much nonexistent. I was worried about becoming addicted to co-codamol I'd been prescribed. I haven't needed any co-codamol since I started taking amitriptyline! I still get brain fog and all my other symptoms, and where I used pain as an alarm to stop, I now don't have that reminder, so I have to make sure I continue with my previous rest periods, which for me include a sleep between 11 am and 1 pm."

• Anonymous
• May 22, 2012

"I just started this medication for my fibromyalgia about 3 days ago. I'm already sleeping better, getting relief from my chronic migraines, and it has helped my irritable bowel syndrome. I know it's still too soon to tell, but I really didn't expect results this soon. Hopefully, things stay on the up and up. I have suffered from fibro for over 16 years now and have tried numerous meds."

• gig...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 18, 2017

"I started it and noticed I slept well after the first tablet. The 10 mg works better for fibromyalgia on a low dose, apparently (10 mg), but anyway, I took it daily an hour or two before bed. But it did take a good 4 months to get into my system and work on blocking out most of my pain and actually get to grips with my own personal experiences with this chronic condition. It worked really well on my migraines, I get them occasionally if I eat food triggers: wheat, dairy, MSG, amongst other triggers, but not nearly as bad as before I started taking amitriptyline. I can honestly say it's given me back my life, and I can plan ahead, which I have never been able to do before. I gave it a 10/10. My side effects were dry mouth for a few weeks, and I watch my diet because it can increase your appetite."

• Vic...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 16, 2014

"I feel like a zombie if I don't get enough restorative sleep. I have been on 100 mg a day, but am on 75 mg most of the time. I notice that most of the people who are not getting relief from the pain and insomnia are taking the smaller doses. I have been on it for probably 20 years. I can't tolerate most other medicines."

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

Amitriptyline "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."

• den...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 23, 2012

"I take it for sleep. Started on a low dose and increased later. I am now on 75 mg per day. It is not expensive and is an old medicine, so side effects are well studied. The only issue is that if I miss one dose, you can feel depressed. Sleep is a huge part of conquering this. I have noted a huge difference in my sleep and how I feel in the morning. I am better able to work as well. My brain is coming back."

• Ape...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 8, 2016

"I love amitriptyline. I take 125 mgs every night, and my symptoms have been greatly reduced. I still have days where I don't walk so well, but I have a lot more good days than bad. Before I started on this medication, I wondered how I could live my life. I also get a great night's sleep. There are drawbacks for me. It has cut out a lot of my social life as I take it about 8 pm. I don't have the sexual drive I used to, but I am lucky enough to have a wife that understands how much better I am physically in other aspects of my life. Some nights I am not so bad, but other nights I am ready for bed by 9:30. I don't have as much pain as I used to have, but I also have stenosis, scoliosis, and osteoarthritis of the spine."

• Nic...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 13, 2019

Amitriptyline "Wonder drug. I was in pain from fibromyalgia for years. Then I took 10 mg of Endep. I was better already the next day, without any pain in 2 days. After some time, about 2 years, the pain was slowly coming back. My doctor increased the dosage to 25 mg. Again, it helped immediately. Now, I am away from home and my doctor, the pain is getting unbearable. I don’t know what to do. Take two tablets a day? I will be home soon, but it is ruining my holiday. I can’t imagine my life without Endep."

• Lem...
• November 5, 2013

Amitriptyline "I have been on Endep for fibromyalgia for 10 years. At first, the effect was awesome, for the first time in many years, I slept properly and had hardly any pain. Over the years, though, this has changed. I started off on 50 mg per day and over the years had to have it increased to the maximum dose of 150 mg. Recently, I have been having heart palpitations and an increased heart rate. My doctor has put it down to the extended time I have been on Endep at such a high rate. So now I am on a drug to lower my heart rate, which works well, but my doctor is getting me to try to cut down on the Endep with a view of going off it altogether and hopefully also going off the drug that I need to lower my heart rate. It's not working, I'm in too much pain."

• Gui...
• December 12, 2013

"Just started on 10 mg at night to help me sleep. I have degenerative disk, same symptoms as fibromyalgia. Sleeping better now, feel a bit better. Only my first week, no side effects. My GP told me to drink hot water every day."

• Sha...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 25, 2020

"Miracle drug for me is amitriptyline for fibro. My fibro symptoms appeared violently in 2009, and it took 5 years of repeated doctor visits and being written off as a hypochondriac before I was diagnosed and put on Endep. After 5 years of horrific pain, no sleep while having to work full-time just about was the end of me, I became pain-free. After 3 months, the pain slowly came back but never to the level it was. I boost the pain relief with Mersyndal at night."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 15, 2012

"Last night was my first dose. Half of an amitriptyline 25 mg tablet. I took it at quarter to midnight, but did not finally fall asleep until around 5 AM. I slept for almost twelve hours. I guess I need to take it earlier if it doesn't knock me out like I expected. The light hurts my eyes today. I can't look out my window. Artificial light isn't as bad, but still hurts. Despite these problems, I feel more clear than I have in months. Maybe even years. Any pain that I have is very slight, so I'm thinking that's why my doctor wanted me to take ibuprofen with this-because it will actually be able to help with my pain now. This is only after my first dose, but I am pretty excited. I can move around the house again like a normal person!"

• Anonymous
• April 4, 2011

Amitriptyline "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."

• Jim...
• May 29, 2019

Amitriptyline "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."

• AD2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 26, 2020

"Elavil has been a game changer for me. I suffer from major depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, chronic migraines, and I have a rare recurring form of viral meningitis. I have been on multiple medications to tackle both nerve pain and depression/anxiety: Lexapro, Effexor, Cymbalta, Savella, Gabapentin, Zoloft. Sleep was difficult for me. I was usually up in pain from these ailments. When I started taking Elavil, I'm able to feel like a normal person. I'm not overly stressed, I'm more 'chill' at work, and I don't feel as angry. Now for the nerve pain and migraines, there has been a slight reduction in the pain I feel, but I'm still in pain."

• Cat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 29, 2017

"I have been taking 20 mg at night for a couple of years and can't praise it highly enough. I had terrible muscle cramps and twitching and constant burning pain in my arms and legs. Within a few days of starting the drug, my symptoms began to ease. The twitching is now only very mild, the pain is 2 out of 10, and the spasms are nonexistent! Magic."

• Mot...
• March 28, 2016

"This medicine has really helped me to sleep. My pain has gone down, including migraines. I am still very stiff in the morning, and sometimes I have weak legs. Only two side effects I've noticed: dry mouth and sleepy in the morning if I take the meds too late. But still pretty happy with the meds."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 7, 2012

"I have had fibro for 10 years (7 years since diagnosis). Amitriptyline has been the only constant help. All other medications have had no effect. Amitriptyline almost eliminates back pain (hasn't helped any other muscle pains). A dose of 75 mg taken before bed gives me a full night's sleep. Side effects of weight gain, dry mouth, and urinary retention just have to be managed until I can find anything better."

• Jen...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 21, 2016

"I started amitriptyline for fibromyalgia, with hopes that it would also help with depression and anxiety. My max dose so far is 40 mgs at bedtime. Initially, it was extremely sedating, but less so as time went on, and when I started taking Wellbutrin for fatigue, I had no residual sedation or daytime sleepiness at all. Amitriptyline was a lifesaver for me in regards to pain relief. As for depression and anxiety, it wasn't helpful until I combined it with Wellbutrin. I would highly recommend the combo for fibro fog, fatigue, pain, anxiety, and depression. It's like taking an SNRI without the side effects! I increase by 10 mgs as needed when my pain begins breaking through. I also found if I'm really stressed or anxious during the day and take 10 mgs, it is very calming."

• Anonymous
• June 28, 2011

"I've had fibromyalgia for a long, very long time. I was diagnosed in the year of 1995. I also found out that due to the fibromyalgia, I have weak bones, and taking medications increased my already existing asthma. What worked for me was amitriptyline 25 mg once a day, and also a great medicine called Tolmetin Sodium 600 mg, three times a day. I've been taking these two medications and have been able to work 40 hours a week with no side effects. I walk over 4 miles, hardly any pain, and do strength training without having to take more medications. If you are having lots of pain due to fibromyalgia, you might want to talk to your doctor and find out if you can take these two medications together. All in all, I was hugged, and it didn't hurt for the first time in eight years."

• Sen...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 3, 2017

"I am using amitriptyline 10 mg for around 12 years to treat fibromyalgia, and I feel very happy with the improvement. I can say that it is a miracle drug, also, it did not cause any side effects. Though it is an old-generation drug, it is much more effective."

• red...
• May 25, 2010

Amitriptyline "I first started out at 50 mg of Elavil almost 2 years ago. It was like instant heaven! I am a horrible insomniac, and with Elavil, I was getting good quality sleep and woke up feeling rested. I was also on Lyrica at the time. For a while, both of them together had me feeling a lot better. Unfortunately, I have a very high tolerance to any medicine. I am now at 150 mg Elavil. I can't imagine going any higher, yet my pain is increasing, so I don't know what will happen when I totally max out at this level. I no longer take Lyrica, as I became tolerant. Savella seems to help with fibromyalgia fog, but it doesn't touch my pain. Give it a try."

• Hon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2017

"Started taking 20 mg before bed. I have fibromyalgia. I also take 150 mg of Lyrica a day to make it through an 8-hour shift. Without Lyrica, I wouldn't be able to work at all. I would wake up with my hair being a total mess, like I was sleeping restless. My doctor said to start this at 20 mg before bed, and if that dose doesn't help, increase by 10 mg until I get to a level that works. The first couple of nights have been wonderful. But I have been waking up at 6 am both days and can't go back to sleep. I feel rested and a lot less morning pain. The doctor is hoping I can go off Lyrica. Lyrica is causing me to feel high. I get 8-9 hours of relief with Lyrica, and then my pain comes back. I have gained about 10 lbs while on Lyrica, but at least I can work."

• Nik...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 14, 2025

"I have been on amitriptyline for 4 years now. It did take a good couple of weeks for the side effects to go away, but this medicine has changed my life. I went from being unable to walk and sleep from pain to being virtually pain-free, having perfect nights' sleep and avoiding a flare for almost 3 years now. I tried to cut my dose from 30 mg to 10 mg, and I was in so much pain I couldn't sleep the next night. That's how I know it's working great for me. Give it a go, even if it works for your pain, it may do wonders for your sleep."

• Ver...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 8, 2023

"This drug gave me my life back. I had unexplained pain all over my body and lots of symptoms associated with nerves. I couldn't sleep at night, and I was so depressed to the point of having suicidal thoughts. After having all possible tests done, my rheumatologist put me on amitriptyline (starting with 10 mg). At first, side effects were making me feel like a zombie, so I stopped taking it (big mistake). After some time, I started it again feeling absolutely hopeless. I slowly increased my dose to 30 mg, and I no longer have sleep issues, in fact, my sleep is amazing now. Ninety percent of my fibromyalgia symptoms are gone now, and I'm virtually pain-free. The only downsides to it are your appetite increases, and you get constipation issues every now and then. This is an amazing drug, but it takes many months for it to kick in properly."