Amitriptyline and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 8, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "I've been taking 25 mg nightly for 8 months now. It has decreased migraine frequency from 15 per month to 4 or 5. It has also helped a lot with my anxiety and depression. I have gained about 20 lbs, but am feeling so much better that it's worth it for me."

• cry...
• May 8, 2011

For Fibromyalgia "I was so excited when my pain started to get better after slowly tapering up to 100 mg nightly after trying countless medications that did not help. I have been on it for 5 months now, and have gained 30 lbs even while dieting, and the past couple of weeks my pain had been coming back and I am lying restless in bed at night."

• Cha...
• May 20, 2009

For Migraine Prevention "I had migraines almost every day for years. I finally couldn't take it anymore and went to see my doctor. I was prescribed amitriptyline. I take 25 mg at night and have not had a migraine since. It is a lifesaver. It did take me a few weeks to get over the drowsiness, though, and I did gain some weight. But it is so worth it to be able to function again."

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 4, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "I have had migraines since I was a child. Tired of living in pain and having many immobilizing days, at 24 years old, I finally sought treatment. I have been taking amitriptyline for a year, starting at 15 mg once every night before bed, which did not seem to manage them very well, then increasing to 75 mg before bed. It has worked wonders in managing my migraines. I went from 4 migraines a week to now once a week. I will be returning to the doctor to figure out the next step since I have been a year in overall peace but still have the constant one a week. The only side effect I have noticed is slight weight gain, but nothing serious. Amitriptyline has been an enormous aid in my migraine prevention, and I am extremely glad to have given it a chance."

• Anonymous
• December 19, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "I have had success with it helping me stay asleep through the night, but it has not helped with my muscle/joint pain and daytime fatigue. I have also gained about 15 pounds over the course of four months despite a decrease in my appetite."

• Sha...
• October 28, 2013

For Migraine Prevention "I was put on this medication, 50 mg nightly, to stop migraine/headaches during the day. I have multiple sclerosis and suffer from a lot of neuropathic pain also. I am on Lyrica 300 mg twice daily. Both of these medications have caused weight gain. I have slowly weaned myself off the Endep and now am suffering from dizziness, hoping this will pass. But my concern is that Endep is also for the treatment of depression. Was I being medicated under false pretenses, and now that I am off it, will I suffer from depression? MS is a hard illness to deal with at the best of times. Will I now not handle my disease? Time will tell."

• Man...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 24, 2020

For Fibromyalgia "I took amitriptyline for fibromyalgia and hated it. It gave me side effect symptoms of awful brain fog, made me hallucinate when I took it, stopped me from dreaming, made me gain 60 lbs in 2 months, and did more harm than good. All it did for me was increase the severity of my symptoms and add more side effects. I stopped taking it, and my weight started to drop and the side effects wore off. I'm left with bad memory loss now."

• Pea...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 24, 2016

For Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome "I'm 35 years old. My CVS showed its ugly head when I turned 21. Now I look back at my childhood, and I see some signs. Took me a long time to get diagnosed, but it was pretty much confirmed when 10 mg of amitriptyline completely stopped my cycle. I had been on and off it for years. Recently, after moving to a new state, it seems I am now always on it. In 7 years, I went from 25 mg to starting today 100 mg. This drug really is a lifesaver, but I'm getting concerned I'm going to get to the max dose and have to find something else. I also take 5 mg of Lexapro for irritability. My side effects have been dry mouth and weight gain, which I don't mind for getting my life back."

• Anonymous
• October 24, 2011

For Migraine Prevention "I've been on this medicine for almost 3 months, and it works very well for my migraines! Before, I was having 5-10 migraines/month, each lasting for days. It's wonderful to not be in pain. I still get a migraine once in a while, but they're not severe. I get migraines from stress, my period, and being out in the heat/sun too long. Side effects I've experienced are dry mouth, excessive sweating, sleepiness, and the most troubling is weight gain. I've gained about 7 lbs so far. I'm 32, pretty active, work out, and eat sensibly, but I do have a sweet tooth on occasion. I've never had a weight problem before, so this bothers me quite a bit. I'm not too upset, though, since I'm able to live my life now. Tried many other medicines with temporary relief or none at all."

• ano...
• March 3, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "This stuff stops my migraines right in their tracks... for about 3 months. Add an extra 10 mg and they disappear once again for, you guessed it, roughly a few months. Totally worth it, but fast forward a couple of years and it's 75 mg/night. Though I can't really complain; I get zero side effects (not even the infamous weight gain). I hoped there'd be a 'ceiling' dose of migraine-free eternity... but nope. Given it's brought some normality to my mental health, I've not ditched it. I take it in tandem with sertraline and I'm reasonably anxiety- and depression-free nowadays. Whether the migraines would be worse or more frequent without it (after that ~3-month honeymoon) is impossible to say, but I've found a diclofenac with paracetamol is a great abortive otherwise - because the triptans just don't work for me. Your experience may vary - I'm sure some probably do get sustained relief from it - and I'm notorious for having medications 'poop out,' it seems."

• Bik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 3, 2017

For Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome "I have had cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) for 15 years or so. CVS started when I was about 18-19 years old. I have been 'sick' at least 2 days per week this whole time, sometimes 7 days per week I'm sick, but never just 1 day. ER visits, IV meds, week-long hospital stays, and doctors literally worldwide scratching their heads trying to figure out what was wrong with me. I settled into the fact that I was destined to be sick and that it was going to kill me. At 33, I FINALLY got the diagnosis of CVS and have been prescribed 50 mg amitriptyline, and I have slowly been improving. I have gained weight and sleep 10 hours nightly, only side effects so far, so I'll take it! Been 6 months, I'm down to 4-6 sick days per month, so it's working!"

• Red...
• August 19, 2010

Amitriptyline for Migraine Prevention "This medicine is the best for migraines. I have been on this medicine for almost a year, and I started getting relief after two weeks of taking it. The side effects that I have experienced are weight gain, dry mouth, and dizziness, especially if you wait to take the medicine after a certain time of the night. I give this medicine two thumbs up. I currently take two 50 mg at bedtime."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2022

For Vulvodynia "I started on 10 mg at night. The first dose worked immediately! I was having horrible burning pain, trouble sitting at my desk for hours. I was miserable. The 10 mg slowly stopped working as well, so I went up to 25 mg. The pain was gone, but tachycardia, I almost passed out and had to go to the ER one day. I just wore an event monitor for my heart for 30 days, and it was all tachycardia and some missed beats. And then the weight gain. I’m fairly tiny, I’ve worked hard to achieve my body, and I exercise 4-5 times a week, but pounds started to creep on. Every month it’s been a struggle to maintain my weight, which has increased 10-12 lbs. I count every calorie. I exercise more when I’m hungry (hungrier on amitriptyline for sure) so I can have extra calories. Nothing has stopped the chubbiness. I stopped taking amitriptyline."

• RDa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 27, 2021

For Insomnia "Amitriptyline works well with no side effects for me. I take it for migraines, and it also helps me with insomnia. The only thing is I gain weight due to my increased appetite, but I feel good after taking it."

• Aud...
• June 6, 2019

For Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome "I suffer from many things, such as lupus, scoliosis, migraines, cyclical vomiting syndrome, and depression/anxiety. I am frequently put in the hospital due to my CVS, not being able to stop throwing up to the point where I vomit blood, get extremely dehydrated, and suffer from extreme, painful nausea. Recently, my doctor put me on amitriptyline to help with my chronic nausea, headaches, and depression. Before this, I was on Zoloft. Since being put on amitriptyline (it's only been 2 months), I have gained quite a bit of weight. I have also been suffering from extreme belly bloat and insanely vivid nightmares. My mood has not changed or gotten any better. I know this drug helps a lot of people sleep, but this does not have the same effect on me. It has also not helped with my nausea whatsoever. I am tapering off this awful medicine and am going back to my Zoloft until I find something better."

• Gol...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 25, 2022

For Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome "I have had Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS) for 21 years. And it has been a very rough road for me. I was taking Elavil for fibromyalgia and decided to wean off, just to try and reduce the number of prescription meds I was taking. When I did, my symptoms returned and with ferocity! Agonizing nausea and vomiting for several days, usually ending with a trip to the ER for fluids. I got back on Elavil, and it has helped tremendously. It has made me put on weight, but anything is better than 24/7 mind-numbing nausea when you can’t eat, drink, or sleep. It has reduced my migraines also. I take it in the morning (although you are supposed to take it at night) because it gives me restless legs, and I cannot fall asleep. Overall, miracle drug, lifesaver! 25 mg/day"

• Anonymous
• November 5, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "I have fibromyalgia, SLE, migraines, and nerve pain and was started on amitriptyline 10 mg in January of 2008, was increased to 20 mg that fall, and have been increased to 30 mg for the last 4 months. I found it helpful, it decreased all my symptoms, but increases were needed as the effectiveness wore off in time. My physician informed me that he would not increase the dosage past 30 mg as anything over 30 mg was only effective in treating the antidepressant symptoms, not nerve-related symptoms. He added gabapentin 1 month ago, but I felt no change. He would now like me to stop both of these meds and try Lyrica. I would like to add that I too have gained 50 lbs and crave sweets always."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 16, 2024

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I researched this drug myself for severe IBS after having multiple investigations, tests, and trialing other medications for the severe pain and diarrhea I was having from my IBS. I had previously been put on a newer antidepressant medication which is recommended for second-line treatment for IBS, and it made me feel awful, so out of desperation I did my own research and came across this drug. The downsides I’d read were upsides for me! Weight gain… I was severely underweight due to my symptoms, so I needed this, and the other tiredness… well, I wasn’t sleeping well, so I welcomed this also. Cut a long story short, I’ve been on it for three years now at 10mg. I’ve never looked back! I’m so much better. I still have the off flare-up, but it’s nowhere near as bad and doesn’t last as long. I would highly recommend giving this drug a try if you’ve exhausted other options. It literally saved me!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 19, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "I have been taking this medicine since August last year. I relied heavily on this page as my migraines got better. I was taking Topamax, but the side effects were awful. I had an aura with a headache that lasted for a month and had a dizzy spell where I vomited and slept nonstop for four days. That was when I started taking amitriptyline. To begin with, I had auras every few days. Now I am taking 30 mg and have had 2 auras (no pain) in the last 3 months. I think stress hasn't helped, and I have changed my job, but honestly, I think these pills have helped, and I am so grateful to have my life back. I have gained weight, but I am able to eat properly again. I don't have any other side effects."

• ran...
• July 23, 2009

For Migraine Prevention "I was having migraines just about daily. Started taking amitriptyline at first 25 mg, then 50 mg, then 75 mg daily. Effects: reduced the frequency and intensity of the migraines both by roughly 70%. Side effects: full night sleeps. Major appetite gain (literally, a pathological obsession with food) and weight gain became out of control. Reduced to 50 mg amitriptyline daily, managed to lose the 12 lb weight gained. We kept it at 50 mg with only moderate increase in appetite and complete night sleeps. Doctor started me on beta-blocker propranolol 30 mg. No side effects. So 50 mg amitriptyline 30 mg propranolol has resulted in completely stopping migraines (except for possibly a very stressful day which will provoke one)."

• DJe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 4, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "I have experienced frequent migraines with aura since my teens. Without Fiorinal C 1/2 for acute attacks, I would have been unable to work or care for my family. As I’ve aged (I am now 65), they’ve increased in frequency and duration, so my neurologist prescribed amitriptyline 10 mg daily to try. After 3 months as a trial, I now have daily headaches, some weight gain, and more migraines, so for me, this hasn’t helped, but I do hope it helps other migraine sufferers."

• Cob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 27, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I've had migraines for 40 years. I take Topamax 200 mg 2x/day. I added Ami about 4 months ago, it has drastically reduced my migraines. I had surgery that interfered with sleep. This was my cure drug, except for the weight gain I experienced. A wonderful combination with Topamax and triptans."

• BOC...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 9, 2021

For Pain "Amitriptyline damn near killed me. My weight increased from 145 to 174 lbs. My abdomen swelled like a basketball. The drug made me feel 'spaced out' and trapped in a body that I didn't like. It did NOTHING for my failed laminectomy and resulting leg pain. I thought suicide to be the only way out. The doc didn't believe that I had a bad reaction to it. I had sores in my mouth, red blotches on my chest, scalp, and a breakout on my back. So, at the doc's prodding, I took it again... to prove him wrong. I was right. Never a mind-altering drug again. That goes for Paxil too. I am in that select group who only gets effective relief by using narcotics. I have not had a driving violation in 50 years. Think about this: ten thousand people die daily from tobacco use (CDC numbers). Yet, when we go to the pharmacy with our narcotic scripts... what do we walk past? Shelves of tobacco that require no prescription, provide NO protection to children who live in a smoker's home."

• the...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 30, 2017

For Insomnia "I was prescribed this drug for both pain and sleep due to severe osteoarthritis, 20 mg, 2 - 3 hours before bed to help me sleep, and also 7.5 mg of Zopiclone (Lunesta) to be taken only if unable to sleep after 2 hours. This combination works wonders. After weaning off this drug, 3 weeks later, the pain and insomnia returned, and after 1 week of only 2 hrs sleep a night, I am now back on amitriptyline. Was tried on gabapentin as well, but that had no added benefit, but that caused weight gain and water retention."

• Anonymous
• May 16, 2008

"I had chronic pain in my abdomen for whatever reason is still not diagnosed, but I can sleep well again without the pain. It still comes and goes but is nowhere near as bad as it was. I have had weight gain and some thirsty days, but I would rather deal with side effects than the chronic pain."