Amitriptyline and Depression: What Users Say

• Vic...
• May 1, 2020

For Insomnia "I'm 57, healthy fit male. I struggle with insomnia and have since 2010. It got really bad, wouldn’t sleep consistently for 3-5 days at a time. On the 4th-5th day I’d fall asleep... sleep for 6-7 hours and then do it all over again. My doc gave me Amitriptyline, 10 mg. I sleep like a baby! And the dreams are incredible. However, at the 4th day mark I start feeling very achy, a bit depressed, and mentally groggy. I don’t “wake up” mentally until 1-2 pm the following day. (So, I just use it 2-3x a week.) So, of the prescribed sleep drugs I’ve been given, I do like Amitriptyline... it does help me sleep and the dreams are unreal! It’s like I’m in a wild, crazy adventure movie every night! But, even at a very low dose, it causes me to feel a bit depressed, groggy, brain fog, and achy. Oh, almost forgot. It increases my libido a wee bit (hence the wild dreams!) ;-) So, I use it sparingly... 2-3x a week. Say hi! Share your thoughts."

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 31, 2016

Amitriptyline for Insomnia "Been on Endep 10mg for 4 weeks. For insomnia. Although it helps me sleep, the longer I take it, the dopier I get during the day. I feel like I am permanently sedated, like my brain is shrinking and my head is full of cotton wool all day. No motivation to do anything."

• Rho...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 3, 2014

Amitriptyline for Fibromyalgia "I have been on Endep for 35 years. I have fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and plenty more. In the last six months, I have been getting very odd symptoms such as the ones provided within this article! Sudden weight gain, inability to eat properly, tiredness, rounded face, weakness, sore mouth and tongue, to slight more depression. At the moment, I am on a doctor's treadmill... everyone from my endocrinologist to a neurologist, GP, and many more have put their hands up saying I don't know! The medicines work really well for fibromyalgia, but after some time, they can work against you! Please look at the list of side effects. I have a lot of them. Good luck!"

• 2 w...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 14, 2022

For Anxiety and Stress "Tried sertraline and escitalopram... Both almost made me suicidal, huge pupils, tremors, hallucinations, couldn't eat anything, always tired, depressed, out of my body, slow thinking, intrusive thoughts, and other really weird side effects. Now I'm trying amitriptyline for my anxiety of past memories, panic attacks, and insomnia. Right now it seems to work. I sleep, I can eat, I'm calmer before going to bed and hope that this may be my miracle drug, after 3 huge antidepressant fails in the past 6 weeks. I'm only on 10 mg right now, because I'm extremely sensitive to drugs. Will see in the future if this is the right one for me... I really hope so."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 4, 2017

Amitriptyline for Pain "I was given this medication to help my daily chronic headaches. I started it a little over a month ago. Three days in, I had one of the worst headaches ever. After that, the headaches started to diminish. I now have weakness and loss of feeling in my hands, arms, legs, and feet, seizure activity, confusion, and I am sleeping all the time. I don't feel like myself, and I'm super miserable all the time. The doctor doesn't want to take me off this medication, but I cannot live life like this. I don't recommend this medication."

• Tha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 18, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "My son is now 22, but since age 4, he has had what doctors called 'irritable bowel with irritable bladder,' and they offered no help beyond 'watch what food set him off' (everything!). And though I prefer holistic medicine, nothing natural provided much help. It was tolerable while he was homeschooled, but when he started working, the fears around his flares really started anxiety attacks that only made IBS-D much worse. It turned into constant stomach pain that nothing helped, and he was getting super depressed. They did tons of tests, ruled out anything causing it, we started on a low FODMAP diet, and after reading reviews about this drug, I asked his doctor if we could try it (though none of the other drugs they tried did much). First 10mg and now at 25mg before bed. It has been like a miracle drug. He can eat what he wants, and he's so much more relaxed and happy-it's a joy for this mom to see after years of trying to find him help. Plus, with our insurance, it's under a dollar a bottle-try it!"

• Jul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 26, 2016

For Pain "I was put on amitriptyline 10 mg to help with severe back pain and a trapped sciatic nerve affecting the lower right leg very badly. I had to stop driving. I started to sleep extremely well, but I had not really had much pain to cope with at night, so there was nothing special to note there. Daytime pain seemed unchanged until about 5 to 6 weeks into the course. I did notice that daytime pain had lessened. However, I also noticed that in weeks 6 to 7, I was feeling extremely low, depressed, lifeless, and started to have dull headaches. I reread the side effects and decided to stop the drug immediately. I am a different person, feeling so much more alive, and for me, the drug caused an effect more serious than the back and leg pain."

• Fal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 4, 2016

Amitriptyline for Pain "I was prescribed Elavil mainly for chronic headaches. I also suffer from depression, anxiety, and insomnia, so my neurologist had me start Elavil to try and kill many birds with one stone, so to speak. Elavil worked great to reduce the intensity of my headaches. Although they were still ongoing, it was much more tolerable. I had been on Elavil for only one month and a week before I stopped. The first week my insomnia and anxiety seemed to be simmering down (this stopped soon after week 2). As for my depression, Elavil put it under a magnifying glass. I was suicidal and crying on a daily basis, it was not the medication for me. It helped with the main objective but at a horrible cost."

• Kdi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 16, 2018

For Pain "I have thoracic facet joint synovial cyst that is compressing the spinal nerve (foraminal stenosis). My neurosurgeon suggested surgery. I've been in severe pain for more than a year (I injured my back during a ballet competition). I have tried everything and every possible medication, and nothing helped for that sharp, shooting back pain. Pregabalin helped only for neuropathic pain but nothing for bone pain (facet joint), but it made me depressed. My pain was mostly 7-8, some days 10. I have been taking amitriptyline 10 mg only 2 days now, but my pain level is now 2-3, no more shooting pain, my bone pain is almost all gone. This is a miracle, and no side effects, nothing at all, no more depression due to pain, and I have a lot more energy."

• Vio...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 12, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "Oops! I had put my review under the wrong category. Long story short, I got a concussion and was unexpectedly bed-ridden and in the dark, both metaphorically and literally, for almost 3 months. Migraines wracked me every day, among other symptoms - it was basically hell on earth. My doctor prescribed me 25 mg of amitriptyline and said most of his concussion patients had a lot of success with it. Anyway, it gave me my life back. I've been on it for 4 months now... I don't get aura migraines anymore, headaches now are duller and infrequent :) Dry mouth, a little more constipation, and had some depressed feelings when I first started, but my body adjusted. I really do recommend this! Give yourself enough hours to sleep at first."

• Sca...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 27, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "This is just my second day of amitriptyline, and I feel so doped and drugged out. The doctor gave it to me for severe anxiety (GAD), which I have suffered from for years. I could never tolerate the SSRIs, and so she is now trying the amitriptyline. I feel so out of it and depressed, I can hardly move off the couch, much less do anything around the house. I know this is a sedating antidepressant and it’s one of the older ones, but at such a small dose, will I ever get used to the sedating effects? Will it really help with the anxiety I have? I don’t want to feel like this if it’s not going to help, and all I feel is drugged out every day. I am taking it 3 hours before bedtime and sleeping until 10 a.m. the next morning. Should I change meds or give it a go? Thanks, guys."

• avi...
• April 10, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "I have always suffered tiredness and depression whenever I didn't get a good night's sleep. I was sent to a specialist regarding an unrelated matter with chronic sinusitis. He said he diagnosed myofascial disorder and prescribed Endep 10 mg, and I couldn't believe the difference. No more waking up in a haze and feeling anxious. I have since had a difficult marriage breakup to deal with and increased the dose to 25 mg. I don't know how I would have coped without this drug. I hope to get back to the 10 mg once I have my life back once settlement is done and I move on."

• mad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 12, 2014

For Migraine Prevention "I have had migraines going on 20 years now. I've been on a beta blocker blood pressure medicine and Topamax. Topamax decreased the headaches somewhat, but at the cost of very debilitating side effects of fatigue, depression, and rapid weight loss that never stopped, therefore, my doctor stopped it. I recently changed doctors, and for the first time in twenty years, someone decided to try something new: amitriptyline. I've also suffered from insomnia. My doctor suggested preventing migraines and treating insomnia with amitriptyline. I've had one flare-up in the past 3 months and sleep soundly through the night! Amitriptyline has caused weight gain, but I am still healthy. I'll take the weight gain over the migraines any day!"

• Eva...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 15, 2017

For Insomnia "I took Trazodone for depression and insomnia. Stopped taking it because my weight would not go down, and I was always depressed and 'out of it.' Started taking amitriptyline, I feel full of energy and not depressed. I also sleep better. I have lost 10 pounds since I started taking it 2 weeks ago. Everyone is different, so please consult your doctor or pharmacist. I take 25 mg at night."

• MDc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 17, 2019

For Insomnia "Have battled insomnia for at least 10 years on my own. I can usually fall asleep but can't stay asleep. Wake up at least 3 times a night. I caved and went to the doctor for a sleep aid. Since I also deal with fibromyalgia and am currently under a lot of stress, she prescribed 25 mg of amitriptyline. Should have known it was a bad idea. I've failed with 5 antidepressants. Had super restless sleep until 3 a.m., waking every hour and hungry. Then slept so hard, I was late to a 9 a.m. appointment. By noon, still so groggy that I shouldn't have been driving. I was also in a bad mood and depressed. Based on all of the positive reviews for this drug, I tried cutting a pill in half the next night (12.5 mg). Today, really pissy and depressed, can't get anything done. There's a warning in the literature: If amitriptyline makes you depressed or angry, stop it. I'm definitely stopping! I'll take insomnia and fibro pain any day of the week."

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

For Fibromyalgia "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."

• Tom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2019

For Pain "Wow. This brought on really dark thoughts and serious nightmares that I can see clearly the next day. Pain relief and assisting me to sleep, yes, but absolutely not for me. Anxiety and depression were increased."

• sym...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "When I first started amitriptyline 10 mg, the only side effects I noticed were a bit of fatigue and dry mouth. I did not see an improvement in my migraines, but an improvement is not expected early on. Once I went to 20 mg, I had an extreme mood shift where I became quite depressed and apathetic, and I felt quite awful for 3 days or so. After that, the side effects wore off, and it didn't feel like I was taking any medication at all. I have now been taking amitriptyline for two months at a current dosage of 25 mg per day. While the side effects have subsided, I have not seen any improvement in my migraine frequency (20+ days/month) or severity. My doctor and I are planning to switch to topiramate in the coming weeks."

• sym...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "When I first started amitriptyline 10 mg, the only side effects I noticed were a bit of fatigue and dry mouth. I did not see an improvement in my migraines, but an improvement is not expected early on. Once I went to 20 mg, I had an extreme mood shift where I became quite depressed and apathetic, and I felt quite awful for 3 days or so. After that, the side effects wore off, and it didn't feel like I was taking any medication at all. I have now been taking amitriptyline for two months at a current dosage of 25 mg per day. While the side effects have subsided, I have not seen any improvement in my migraine frequency (20+ days/month) or severity. My doctor and I are planning to switch to topiramate in the coming weeks."

• MJa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 20, 2019

For Neuropathic Pain "I was taking amitriptyline for my migraine/facial nerve pain, suspected trigeminal neuralgia (TN). I am a 40-year-old woman. Happy, single, enjoying life, and then I take this medication. I had severe side effects. This made me depressed, I didn't want to leave the house, dry mouth... wanted to sleep and eat all the time. I'm giving this a 2 rating only because I slept so well. I told my doctor no more anti-depressants to treat my TN... This was the only prescription medication I was taking."

• Liv...
• November 10, 2020

For Neuropathic Pain "I took this for two months for nerve pain. It gradually helped somewhat, and it did help me get to sleep easily. However, I felt immense brain fog every day and lost motivation or energy to do much at all. I also found I was getting random bouts of depression and anxiety. Since quitting, I have so much more energy, and my mood has returned to normal."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "Switched to 25 mg amitriptyline from 60 mg of Cymbalta. Was told to overlap for one week and have now taken the amitrip for exactly one week. Initially thought the deep sleep from it was amazing. Couldn't remember the last time I had slept that deeply and had such vivid dreams that I could (too clearly) remember. I kind of liked the 'emotional numbness' I got from it. However, the next day I would be so exhausted and out of it. At times, I had to remind myself where I was and often struggled to find the words to form a complete sentence. I ate like I had the munchies (like I had just smoked weed). I also became quite paranoid that most people were out to get me. I definitely am stopping this drug as of tonight after becoming more teary-emotional, angry, and overwhelmed than I could tolerate. The Cymbalta is now looking very appealing."

• tew...
• March 2, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I started taking 10 mg every night, but noticed a significant change in emotions. I have had depression in the past, but it was never bad. I noticed that while on this drug, I was severely depressed and crying every day, and having suicidal thoughts. I then looked up the side effects of this and found that those were some of them. This caused me to stop taking the medicine, even though it definitely decreased the amount of migraines and headaches I've been getting."

• Kna...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 9, 2016

For Pain "Herniated and degenerated disc, with sciatic leg pains, very disabling, unable to get about, get dressed, or look after my child and dog on bad days. Tried the usual fib off from doctors and many prescribed medications. Amitriptyline works as pain relief, but I have been on it several months now and have always had very thick, healthy hair, it falls out excessively now and is thinning. Weight gain at a fast pace, I was always a size 8, not now. Can't stop eating. Still with pain, but can look after my family just. Side effects are depressing for me, but they manage the pain to a point after trying a lot. Now looking into alternative healthy medication. I'm told by a sufferer of back and disc pain that I should stop taking this toxin and try hemp oil along with vitamins."

• Tx ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 20, 2016

For Interstitial Cystitis "I was diagnosed with IC after so many real UTIs and some that were not. I felt like I always had a UTI. In November of 2011, I was diagnosed. It was so severe I had the cystoscopy immediately. I started installations and took various medications. Getting on amitriptyline was great until 6 months later I was in day treatment not understanding why my mania and depression were off the chart. The doctors could not stabilize me and I was hospitalized twice for suicidal thoughts and psychosis. Just beware if you have mental illness, this medication may counteract bipolar and other mental health meds!!"