Amitriptyline and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 3)

• 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."

• Ren...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 26, 2021

For Neuropathic Pain "I've taken this for chronic pain, sleep, and intractable migraine prophylaxis since 1984. Otherwise, MD was going to place me in a medically induced coma for deadly insomnia (only 1-2 hours of sleep daily for months). Came off twice unsuccessfully and nearly miscarried fetus 3 times. It is a wonder drug that has helped immensely for decades at a very small dose."

• Anonymous
• April 5, 2012

Amitriptyline for Migraine Prevention "I was previously on Cymbalta, 60 mg daily, for migraine prevention. I liked it and had minimal side effects. I lost my job and am now only on Tricare, so the doctor put me on Elavil, 10 mg. He told me to increase the dose by 10 mg every four days. I was drowsy on 10 mg and a little less drowsy at 20 mg. As soon as I increased to 30 mg, I couldn't sleep and felt shaky during the day. I tried it for four nights and, after about 4 or fewer hours of sleep each night, I reduced the dose to 20 mg. I noticed my neck pain decreased at the 30 mg, but I can't function without any sleep. I have had two migraines while on the 10 and 20 mg doses of this medication. SSRIs usually make me hyper and give me insomnia, so I wasn't surprised."

• Tak...
• June 23, 2017

For Fibromyalgia "I haven't noticed any help in pain with this medication thus far. I am taking 25 mg. The only thing I've noticed is that my sleep is actually worse. I am sleeping less and staying more tired during the day, even though I'm taking it at night. I'm really starting to think nothing is going to help my pain."

• reg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "Been suffering from severe right eye and top of the head pains, which normally develop into excruciating migraines and last for hours, so I'm forced to take Migraleve, which helps sometimes, and go to bed with lights off and just rest. My doc prescribed me amitriptyline, and I took it five times in a month so far. I get a few side effects (insomnia, depression) and can only take them a few hours before bed, as they still affect me the day after (sleepiness, tiredness, inability to focus). It does work almost immediately, and the effect lasts for a week even, which is great. I feel very relaxed, but I noticed that I started feeling without reason rather depressed, to the point that one day I actually felt a bit suicidal, so I stopped taking them for a week."

• Anonymous
• February 19, 2012

For Fibromyalgia "This medicine made me so exhausted I would sleep at least 12 hours every night, and I'd feel so tired all day I couldn't get anything done. And the two nights I couldn't take it when I was on it, I stayed up for over 24 hours with insomnia. It freaked me out that it would prevent me from sleeping if I didn't take it, so I got off of it quickly. It DID help some of the pain, but it wasn't worth it."

• 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."

• Bun...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 18, 2021

For Depression "I was on amitriptyline for well over 25 years for various conditions, including depression. I decided to slowly withdraw myself over 6 months. The most I ever took was 45 mg nightly. THIS IS A WARNING TO EVERYONE: Make darn sure that you intend to stay on this drug because the withdrawal is horrendous. I have been off it for 8 weeks, and it is pure nightmare material: insomnia, aches, bloating, panic attacks, etc. I am struggling and wish I had never heard of this drug. I believe it is addicting. Yes, it helped me, that is why I am warning users of this medication to be very careful because going off/staying off is the most nightmarish time you will ever have. Good luck."

• Ray...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 7, 2018

Amitriptyline for Pain "I got shingles in December 2016 and have been on and off Endep since then. It helped my shingles pain, but I get very little sleep. I have to make a choice of not sleeping due to pain, taking Endep and having no pain, and still not sleeping. If there was a natural alternative, I'd use that, but I've been told that there isn't any. I take Axit for my PTSD and OCD, plus Norflex for my grinding teeth at night. I've had insomnia since I was a kid and refuse to take sleeping pills again."

• Hon...
• July 19, 2021

For Pain "This drug, amitriptyline, might seem like a miracle drug to most people, but it's not. I took it for years and years. I've been off of it for 9 weeks, and it's a sheer nightmare. No sleep, achy body, panic attacks, etc. This drug is not what it's advertised. I mean, if it's so safe, then why do you have to wean off it so slowly??? And why does everyone feel so awesome when taking it? It is like Xanax to me. Just beware. A friendly message to others. If you don't want to go through weeks of withdrawal (even after tapering slowly off for 6 months), think twice about this drug and the mess it will leave you in (physically and emotionally)."

• Spa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 14, 2021

For Pain "Was recently prescribed this for esophageal spasm pain, was warned it would make me sleepy. Heck no, it didn't. I haven't slept in 3 days now. Feel wired and high as heck. It has worked amazingly for my spasms and pain, but the side effect of no sleeping at all sucks."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 20, 2018

For Depression "Was prescribed for bipolar depression. At first, it helped with insomnia (and relieved constipation!), which was a godsend, but faded after a few weeks. After 1 month, I had crippling fatigue, and it seriously jacked my heart rate up, so lowered from 75 to 50 mg. Spent another month developing akathisia before finally ditching it. I’m sure it’s great for some, but my body hated it. Not to mention it did squat for my mood."

• ADH...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 29, 2023

"Have to say, I'm totally anti-med, but long Covid caused my ADHD-related anxiety to peak, resulting in terrible insomnia. After taking this medication, I'm now sleeping so much better, and my daytime anxiety is under control. It's only been two weeks. Don't torture yourself. This made a magical difference at only 10 mg per night."

• Bee...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 10, 2021

For Vulvodynia "I was on amitriptyline for 30 years. The highest dose for me was 40 mg. It helped me a lot, but the withdrawal is a nightmare. Insomnia is brutal, among other symptoms. I have been off it for 8 weeks and still going through the worst time of my life. It is a bad medicine all around. Wish I had never gone on this drug. I truly believe that it is addictive, even though the doctors say it isn't. Weigh out how bad you really need this drug before getting on it because you will regret being off of it for certain."

• Bee...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 12, 2021

For Insomnia "I have been off of amitriptyline for 7 weeks now and am suffering from horrific insomnia. Average of 2 hours of sleep per night. If you decide to stop taking this awful drug, you will be suffering as I am. I tapered off for 5 months, and I am in this bad place now. Please consider the consequences before committing to this drug, especially if you go off of it after long-term use."

• diz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "Really wanted this med to work for me, but unfortunately it didn't. The first few months it made me super drowsy and fatigued. The neurologist said it would go away with time, so I continued, it eventually did subside. I also had dry mouth and some wild dreams, but I could tolerate that. Eventually, my heart rate was out of control and I was losing lots of hair every shower. I had to stop it. The withdrawal period was rough, with increased headaches and insomnia for a few weeks."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 23, 2018

For Pain "I was given this because I suffer from amnesia and my other med wasn't working as well as it used to. The first night I took one 25 mg and was up until 5:30 a.m. The second night I thought I would try again, and at 2:30 a.m. I said forget it and went back to my other medicine. It had me so stressed due to lack of sleep."

• ste...
• February 11, 2016

For Insomnia "I have been on amitrip for a few years now. At first, perhaps for 2 years, my migraines were less and I slept well. Now I'm not sleeping well at all and often take a sleeping pill at 2 to 3 a.m. I'm on 20 mg but cut down to 15 mg before Christmas. I was okay for a month, then had 3 migraines in 3 weeks. So now I'm back on 20 mg but going to start on a course of 400 mg riboflavin, hoping that will help the migraines and I can finally give up the amitrip. Don't pay for medication. I'm 70 this year."

• neh...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 5, 2024

"I've been taking 50 mg of amitriptyline for seven years. Worked perfectly along with my other drugs, always took it two hours or so before going to bed. Slept like a baby until a few months ago, and boom, I'm up most of the night, being driven mad by pain and insomnia. Been back to the doctors today after a seven-week wait to get an appointment, I'm about to start on 75 mg. Fingers crossed it does the job. Overall, I think my experience of this drug has been positive for my life."

• bac...
• October 30, 2015

For Insomnia "I take 50 mg Endep since I was 13. I've been taking these. My ex nearly overdosed, being stupid on them. I take 2 to 4 a night, and I get so much help. I sleep better besides broken sleep and heebie-jeebies (joint ache) 10 percent of the time. I wouldn't be alive if it was not for Endep. I have not gone fried or stupid from this pill. Highly recommend this."

• bil...
• October 26, 2016

For Insomnia "Terrible!! It has been 4 weeks, and I have been experiencing insomnia. I tried every naturopathic remedy and method that one can think of: EFT, meditation, hops, chamomile, on and on and on... Nothing worked. So, I broke down, went to the doctor, and he gave me this medicine. I told him that I lay there and think - nothing negative; I am a happy person, but just lay there thinking about stuff. This medicine made me crazy; I was pacing, angry, and pulling my hair (metaphorically speaking). It is a psychotropic drug - nasty stuff! So, as I sit here angry at the doctor for giving me a psychotropic instead of a sleep aid, I am getting more and more irritable... In the trash it goes!"

• Jon...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 25, 2014

For Migraine Prevention "Not had a migraine in 2-3 years while being on 20 mg amitriptyline. Wonder pill! Also helps my insomnia. Combine with magnesium for a better effect. Good luck."

• Anonymous
• June 6, 2014

For Insomnia "At first, it helped a little. Didn't help me fall to sleep, but I woke up less. The effects were short-lived, 9 months later, and I am up to 300 mg, experiencing 2-6 hours of broken sleep per night."

• Ast...
• March 27, 2019

For Insomnia "I take amitriptyline for my insomnia, and I am awake just after an hour or two of sleep and can’t go back to sleep."