Amitriptyline and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 3)

• ale...
• August 23, 2018

For Insomnia "Amitriptyline is good for insomnia, but you have to know how to use it, which means when you start with a low dose like 10 mg, then if you manage to sleep, take it for 10-15 days, then start to minimize the dose. If you don't sleep with 10 mg, try 25 mg, if not 25 mg, then try 50 mg. Then, after 15-20 days, later start to reduce the dose. So if you were taking 50 mg, start taking 35 mg and check your sleep condition. What I mean is if you feel terror or restless legs or something, then back to taking 50 mg, but if you just sleep 5-6 hours, that is fine. You don't need to sleep like before because you are on withdrawal, then from 35 mg, reduce to 30 mg, wait 3 or 4 days at the same dose, then take 25 mg for 3 or 4 days, then 15 mg for 3 or 4 days, then 10 mg for 3 or 4 days, then 5 mg for 3 or 4 days. Still, check your physical condition symptoms like restless legs, terror, sweating. It will happen during withdrawal, that is fine. It is just we didn't have enough rest and sleep."

• Sae...
• December 31, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "13 years ago on this drug, I went up 10 dress sizes in three months. I developed every inflammatory immune response possible - joints so weak I could hardly stand up, eyes felt like they had sand or glass in them, could not sleep, anxious all the time, and crippling rebound migraines. I lost 1 year of work. Metabolism has never re-corrected itself fully. I stopped going to doctors after this drug experience, as they failed to understand the negative potency of this drug and had no solutions. I got healthy again through properly researched supplementation and nutrition. Wrecked my life."

• O D...
• February 22, 2018

For Pain "I took amitriptyline 10 mg for the pain, and after 3 days I was completely on edge. But also, I was in a dark hole that I felt I could never climb out of. I realized that all the anxiety and emotional pain I had those 3 days was just the amitriptyline, it was not me. I stopped immediately and I was myself again in a couple of days. (The next day, I was mainly shaking, completely terrified of what could have happened.) I just hope doctors and scientists start taking this seriously and run some tests before prescribing it."

• O D...
• February 22, 2018

For Pain "I took amitriptyline 10 mg for the pain, and after 3 days I was completely on edge. But also, I was in a dark hole that I felt I could never climb out of. I realized that all the anxiety and emotional pain I had those 3 days was just the amitriptyline, it was not me. I stopped immediately and I was myself again in a couple of days. (The next day, I was mainly shaking, completely terrified of what could have happened.) I just hope doctors and scientists start taking this seriously and run some tests before prescribing it."

• Zip...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 20, 2023

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I was prescribed this drug by a gastroenterologist for IBS. At the time, I did not realize it was an antidepressant. Two years later, I decided to come off it. I had bad panic attacks, which I’ve never suffered from before. I am annoyed that I didn’t know how this drug would affect me. Now I have to take other antidepressants to stop my anxiety, etc. Doctors should warn you of the withdrawal effects. Don’t touch it, that’s my advice."

• Cau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "Was prescribed 10 mg for cystitis, 1 pill one hour before bedtime. After taking the second pill, I got a severe anxiety attack, which led me down the road of developing GAD and panic disorder. I did not know what was happening to me, why I felt so hyper and kind of sick, had heart palpitations, like I had a ton of coffee. The morning I still felt severe anxiety, called the doctor, made appointments to figure out what is wrong with me. I started losing weight because I lost my appetite, and I guess all the worry created more worries and eventually panic attacks. It may work for others, but be very careful when trying it the first time."

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 27, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I have been on amitriptyline for 5 months. I take 20 mg at bedtime as prescribed by my neurologist for migraines I've been having for years. At first, there was a big relief. Now I'm noticing migraines are still there as well, with a fast heart rate at times, anxiety, insomnia, brain fog (lost a contract opportunity), depression, and now I'm retaining fluid. My right ankle and foot have been swollen for a couple of weeks. And I've gained 30 lbs. I'm going to see a doctor tomorrow. I don't recommend this drug."

• YWa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 15, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "Having taken this medication (10 mg) before bedtime in order to fix my anxiety and sleep problem for about 2 months, I have felt that my heart is pounding. My family doctor has referred me to see a heart specialist. It is going to take 3 months for the first visit. Originally, my family doctor prescribed Ativan for my anxiety and sleep problem. He wanted to switch it with amitriptyline because of the Ativan dependence. However, I found that the amitriptyline gives me more anxiety than the Ativan. I am thinking of switching back to Ativan, but afraid of the dependence."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 4, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "Husband has turned into an angry hulk. I know most of these comments are positive on here. But my husband raged and changed into being abusive, and blowing up at the drop of a dime. Don't recommend at all. He is only 30. Stopped headaches but turned into depressed, paranoid, and angry."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 4, 2017

For Insomnia "After probably a little less than 2 weeks, I started having auditory and visual hallucinations at night. It also hasn't really improved my sleep or helped my fibro pain. It has significantly worsened my depression and possibly worsened my anxiety, which I somewhat expected while my body adjusted to the medication change, but I cannot deal with the hallucinations and am planning on changing it."

• Lam...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 7, 2023

For Depression "I have taken it that long. I feel sure that I am getting adverse effects. I take a small dose in the morning, and it calms me down, but for the past year, when the sedative side of the pill wears off, I get terrible feelings of fear, and the anxiety kicks in. Does anyone else have this scary feeling? It is a feeling of doom and gloom, it is a very frightening thing."

• Kar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 31, 2025

For Anxiety and Stress "Stopped panic attacks extensively! Have been using amitriptyline since 1994. Had suffered from something my doctor couldn't understand, and he did severe damage to my brain. He put me on an antidepressant, but I'd just had a brain injury from extreme pressure in my brain, later confirmed by the brain clinic/neurologist. Result was more brain damage with severe nystagmus and extreme anxiety. When the doctor realized that I couldn't sleep and had extreme anxiety, he put me on amitriptyline. In his doctor's mind, he saw depression-even though both my husband and I said it was not. Still, he tripped upon something that 'saved my life' numerous times. Amitriptyline 50 mg, for the first time since the antidepressant, I slept thoroughly. Appetite came back, no more anxiety, but also no toothache and bladder pain! I take 25 mg as needed, no PTSD, no pain in bladder, not hungry, helps with any nerve pain, which is also a nervous breakdown. Flexeril useless."

• Heb...
• April 28, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "I was taking this for my balance disorders, MdDS, VM, and PPPD, and also my OCD. As this drug helps with migraine and some balance disorders. No SSRI types had worked for me. Worked up to 10 mg for 3 months. It helped with - (once got through the side effects of each increase). I had facial pain and migraine pain. Gave me deep sleep. Evened out moods. Eventually helped OCD. The payoff - deep sleep with shocking dreams. Constant hot sweats. Zombie brain, not able to finish sentences at times. Each increase in dose caused extreme anxiety and OCD for at least a week. Lowered sex drive. Felt little joy, laughing, etc., and low motivation. Could not have any alcohol due to dizziness. Mornings, no energy. Constant fatigue. Increase in MdDS symptoms at night. Felt faint on standing sometimes. Clumsy as anything. Trouble urinating with each increase and heart palpitations. I’m now coming down. Not worth the side effects. With each decrease, I get a few days of fatigue, dizziness, aches and pains, nausea, and diarrhea."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 13, 2013

For Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome "Began having cyclic vomiting syndrome in November 2012. Hospitalized several times. We also found that I have a vestibular issue causing me to throw up. That has resolved but left with this CVS. I started taking this medication about 3 weeks ago, and I think it helps. Started 30 mg dose and had an episode, so increasing to 40 mg and holding, if I get sick, I can increase to 50 mg. I am struggling with anxiety, which I had before this all started. Increased anxiety to severe state as I never know if this vomiting thing is going to come back. Overall, it works. Side effects are not bad at all. Anxiety is almost unbearable, which is not a side effect of this medication. I think it is a side effect of having CVS."

• Anonymous
• May 7, 2009

For Migraine Prevention "Both my roommate and I are on amitriptyline for our migraines. We have both missed a dose a few times and have experienced the same side effects. We felt really anxious and felt like we had to be right next to someone. I felt extremely nervous, like I was going to have a panic attack, and I was perspiring a lot."

• Anonymous
• May 7, 2009

For Migraine Prevention "Both my roommate and I are on amitriptyline for our migraines. We have both missed a dose a few times and have experienced the same side effects. We felt really anxious and felt like we had to be right next to someone. I felt extremely nervous, like I was going to have a panic attack, and I was perspiring a lot."

• Mil...
• July 20, 2016

For Insomnia "This medicine makes me feel tired, but won't let me sleep due to a jittery feeling. This is not a good medicine for sleep. Have to turn over about every five minutes to get rid of the jittery feeling. This medicine should not be taken for sleep at all."

• gee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2023

For Fibromyalgia "I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia a few months ago and was immediately put on this medication for fibromyalgia and for my existing IBS and depression. It works for all three, but it doesn't cure anything completely. It doesn't take long for it to work, however, if I miss a dose or two, my symptoms come back pretty quickly. My pain dulls to almost nothing, and what I'm left with is an uncomfortable feeling sometimes instead of pain. I've had trouble sleeping my whole life, and I will say that I do sleep very well after being on this medication for about 3 months now. Amitriptyline makes me feel more human again."

• psk...
• August 15, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I started taking this medication to help with my bad migraines and nausea. It helped for a while, but in the past 6 months, it has stopped working almost completely. The major side effects I noticed were increased emotions (I cry at everything now, and I'm not a sensitive person), and I've developed serious anxiety and stress. I'm currently weaning off this medication to try something else, but it did help for a while."

• psk...
• August 15, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I started taking this medication to help with my bad migraines and nausea. It helped for a while, but in the past 6 months, it has stopped working almost completely. The major side effects I noticed were increased emotions (I cry at everything now, and I'm not a sensitive person), and I've developed serious anxiety and stress. I'm currently weaning off this medication to try something else, but it did help for a while."

• Sle...
• October 21, 2016

For Insomnia "My sleep has progressively gotten worse as I have grown older, now 60. I have tried five other drugs with no success. Lunesta worked better than others but would only work a couple of nights, then nothing, and I felt groggy and had constant headaches. The doctor gave me Amitriptyline 50 mg, and the first night, while a little jittery, I fell asleep in about 20 minutes and slept most of the night, getting up and changing rooms, then falling back to sleep again. The second night, I tossed and turned most of the night. Tonight is number three, so I am hoping that the side effects subside. Will update in a few days. I am still battling major headaches with this drug as I did with Lunesta. Hoping for success tonight."

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2022

For Anxiety and Stress "I don’t recommend this to anyone that has had negative side effects from similar medications. Within the first few days, I became confused, my anxiety increased, I could not sleep, muscle spasms, and dizziness. My mouth was constantly dry, I became extremely aggressive and aggravated over nothing. I woke up with migraines, and my eyes were so red that I looked like I had been on a week-long drinking binge. I was irrational and began to lose motor control and literally had to stop what I was doing and find a place to sit down and started passing out. My heart was constantly racing, and I eventually realized that I had serotonin sickness after less than two weeks of the lowest dose. It took two weeks just to get back to my normal anxiety-filled life. It almost killed me. Pay close attention to the side effect warnings. This may work great for some people, but I choose anxiety over near death. If I could rate it in the negative end, I would give it a negative 10."

• Sun...
• October 11, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "I have been on this medication for 6 months, suffer from severe migraines. At the beginning, I could sleep better, fewer migraines but dizzy. I stopped taking this medication since I developed severe anxiety attacks usually during the night, irregular heartbeats (PVCs), and chest pressure. Also, numbness of fingers and toes. I took only 5 mg at bedtime. I have been off this medication for one week, had an awful migraine, and last night a sleepless night with anxiety. I am pretty sure it works for some people. Watch out for side effects."

• Lsm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 26, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "Wasn't on this for long, to be honest. Tried it for chronic migraine. After two weeks, I started getting severe anxiety. I thought I was dying of every cancer under the sun. No one could convince me otherwise. Also, every time I left the house, it felt like I was tripping out. It felt like the clouds were coming down. I thought I was going crazy. I persevered, desperate for it to make a difference to my migraine, but I just completely lost my mind instead. My doctor told me to stop it immediately, and I returned to normal within two weeks. Never again."

• Gre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 3, 2022

For Fibromyalgia "Only had 10 mg a night for a week. The side effects were so severe, had to stop. So detached and drowsy, couldn't function, didn't know what I was saying, intrusive/obsessive thoughts. Thought I was having a nervous breakdown. 2 weeks on, still have severe anxiety, panic attacks, constant adrenaline rushes, can't sleep, if I do, for a short time, I get vivid nightmares. Constantly wake up in a cold sweat. Couldn't eat a thing for 8 days. Feel detached. Can't work. It's ruined my life. Now on propranolol and diazepam. Was on no medication before this. Worst thing I've ever taken."