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Nortriptyline for Pain User Reviews (Page 5)

Brand names: Pamelor

Nortriptyline has an average rating of 6.7 out of 10 from a total of 118 reviews for the off-label treatment of Pain. 59% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 25% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Nortriptyline

  • bunny...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • August 23, 2021

"Nortriptyline is not for me! I take it for both cervical radiculopathy and sciatica. Although, it helps with some of the pain, for such a low dose of 20mg, I have so many side effects! Ever since I've been on it, I've been having severe mood shifts between anxiety and depression, uncontrollable panic attacks, insomnia, nightmares, a very dry mouth with excessive thirst, dizziness, nausea, and constipation. I can't get off of it because I'll be in unbearable, screaming pain without it. I let my doctor know that this was happening, and she didn't believe the Nortriptyline was causing my mood problems. Someone else told me to wait out the side effects for a couple of months, and it will get better, but it only got worse. Gabapentin made me gain too much weight causing the sciatica and caused mood problems , so I don't want to get back on that. I'm caught between a rock and a hard place because I've talked to about seven doctors and no one seems to know what to do."

3 / 10
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  • Lisa
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 23, 2022

"After having major surgery to repair a huge incisional hernia, I developed severe abdominal pain that lasted for months. Several tests (catscan, internal/external ultrasounds, barium test, etc.) and many doctors later, I saw a gastroenterologist who prescribed Nortriptyline. I was reluctant as it is an TCA, but I was at my wits end with the pain and it was controlling my life. Within 3 days the pain was completely gone! I have been taking it for about 5 weeks now, and I am doing great. The first week I felt a little groggy in the mornings, and have developed Tinnitus. The grogginess abated and I feel like myself again. What a relief. This really changed my life...no kidding. Hope this helps."

10 / 10
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4 Report
  • Esha
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 26, 2022

"I was put on this for dizziness, chronic fatigue and muscle ache. This drug is toxic I am just 24 it has destroyed my life I loose my emotions rather I was too sensitive and loving but now I have lost my personality. It's now 4 months that I quit this drug and I am still not able to sleep at nights nor enjoying my life as I were. I recommend young people age between 18- 25 don't take these drugs unless you really need them"

1 / 10
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3 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Loveb...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 16, 2022

"For simplicity: Makes me hyper and happy at 20 mg titrated up beginning at 10 mg. Helps a little with morning with TMD. Cannot sleep if taken at bedtime. Took 10 mg at 8:41 this morning. Not hyper and I am so exhausted but this is from weeks of not sleeping due to not wanting to give up on this Med and taking at bedtime before today. Multiple Sclerosis is excruciating as well as arthritis, tarlov cysts in thoracic spine, 3 failed right knee replacements. Heavy legs & throbbing feet. Too much to write. Bottom line: I will not give up. Tried all the rest! I love feeling happy and hyper! Just need pain relief and DEEP SLEEP. Remaining optimistic."

5 / 10
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2 Report
  • racco...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 10, 2023

"This is not the first time I have taken nortriptyline, but it is the first time I have experienced side effects. I have been on a low dose multiple times in the last decade, for anywhere from 6 months to a year at a time to manage IBS and also nerve pain. I do get migraines but nortriptyline does not help with that for me. I re-started it again 2 days ago for a pinched nerve and IBS and just wrote an email to my doctor because so far I have experienced the following (in 2 days!!!) severe migraine, rash on both sides of my face, rash on my chest, constipation, and yes it has gotten rid of my nerve pain like it always does. The side effects are so severe this time though that I am not going forward with this treatment."

5 / 10
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  • Nerve...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 28, 2022

"Only taken it for a few days, GP gave it to me because they thought I had nerve pain in my face. The side symptoms are weird to this drug, tingling getting worse can't sleep mega low, feel irritated and I have tingling all in my head. And constant ear ringing. I was on amitriptyline and never had any of this I mean I don't know if its my body getting used to it but I don't like the side effects itching like I got fleas on a regular basis Tempted to ask the GP to swap me back to amitriptyline."

3 / 10
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  • Betty...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 3, 2023

"This medication caused me to have difficulty thinking clearly and made me feel hypomanic. It also affected my sleep and appetite, making me feel like I was in a dream world. Despite taking only 10mg, it did alleviate my nerve pain and did not make me feel depressed. However, I was unable to function while taking it. Although I had previously taken Amitriptyline, which had some sedative effects, this medication was a stimulant drug. Amitriptyline had more side effects, but at least I was able to function while taking it. My main concern is anxiety, and most antidepressants are primarily for depression, which can potentially worsen anxiety symptoms."

5 / 10
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  • Boo
  • February 29, 2024

"I’m 45, and I was diagnosed with occipital neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, and myofascial pain syndrome 17 years ago. I have since developed central spinal stenosis. I started seeing a new neurologist 2 1/2 years ago, and she prescribed me nortriptyline. It has had a significantly positive impact on my pain. I still experience some degree of pain all the time, but it’s much more manageable now. I take 25mg right before bed, and I sleep much better. The first time I forgot to take it was the last time, as I could definitely tell the next day that I didn’t take it. I haven’t experienced any side effects to speak of. No dry mouth, no suicidal thoughts, no notable weight gain or loss. I had a pain specialist years ago who was big on prescribing opioids, which I took for 2 years (Tramadol). Ultimately, the effect was not worth the risk of addiction for me. I find nortriptyline to be way more effective than Tramadol. I highly recommend it for nerve pain."

10 / 10
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  • cookiec
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • December 19, 2014

"I had no side effects. The medicine really worked for me. I was able to stay on my job for 47 years before retiring."

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174 Report
  • Postc...
  • March 14, 2015

"I have a bulging disc (L5-S1) lots of pain especially during sleep. Started on this 2 weeks ago. Take 20 mg at bedtime and now sleep well through the night. Very pleased here. No side effects."

10 / 10
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149 Report
  • wdave
  • October 23, 2011

Pamelor (nortriptyline) "This medication made my ears ring which they have been doing for about 20 years now. My Doctor advised that this is a less than 2% side effect. Never the less, be careful."

1 / 10
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94 Report
  • Sulle...
  • July 9, 2010

"I was prescribed this for pain, it helped a little, but it also boosted my mood 100%"

8 / 10
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101 Report
  • 209ro...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 30, 2015

"Very bad, Was given for pain by doctor .Dr told me make sleepy does opposite. Gave me anger and made me depressed. Kinda mad at Dr. My be it's a side affects lol"

1 / 10
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58 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 19, 2012

Pamelor (nortriptyline) "Although it helped with the headaches associated with a concussion it caused major itching and hives."

5 / 10
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66 Report
  • Toni...
  • April 16, 2015

"I was prescribed this drug for pain from osteoarthritis. It made no difference to my pain and even after upping it to 40mg I was still unable to sleep."

1 / 10
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52 Report
  • nosou...
  • August 29, 2015

"It's worked really well for me. I'm so grateful!"

10 / 10
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49 Report
  • Skeez...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 4, 2020

"This was prescribed for my peripheral neuropathy. The doctor neglected to tell me that it was an antidepressant. Antidepressants have the opposite effect on me."

1 / 10
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23 Report
  • Anonymous
  • August 30, 2009

"Seems not to be working for my pain, not sleeping any better as pain keeps me awake."

2 / 10
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60 Report
  • Anonymous
  • September 22, 2009

Pamelor (nortriptyline) "It helps me. "

9 / 10
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49 Report
  • chole...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 29, 2015

"It made it hard to sleep and I'm groggy all day long. I'm not a fan. 25mg at night."

3 / 10
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31 Report
  • Tallu...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 21, 2018

"I was unable to sleep due to knee pain. I was given nortriptyline to help sleep and it was really good at helping me sleep all through the night!"

10 / 10
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21 Report
  • chrjen
  • October 1, 2015

"Started 25mg last night; no results. Took it again tonight and am still awake 7 hours after taking it! Wondering how long it takes to work?"

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28 Report
  • Coop
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 18, 2021

"Use it for nerve pain, excellent!"

9 / 10
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7 Report
  • Niki
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 29, 2022

"I've been on 10mg for a week for headaches, since then I feel as if my head is full of air and very light headed and my vision is blurry and I feel very week has anyone else felt like this before?"

1 / 10
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4 Report
  • Anna
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • March 29, 2024

"This medication has really helped me. I have been using Accord Nortriptyline, and it does control my facial neuralgia."

8 / 10
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0 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.