Amitriptyline for severe anxiety?

I've had anxiety panic attacks and depression with OCD for fifty some years. The only combo that worked for me was Paxil and xanax. But after I retired to TN they are anti benzo so fear of my new doc stopping it I weaned myself off both. I had been prescribed amitriptyline years ago but didn't take it because of drug reactions I had. I was afraid of it. But at this point I figured what the hay just take it. So I did. With in one hour my body was so relaxed. I could watch TV. I slept. I get dry mouth from it but it's nothing candy or water can't fix. Two years on it now at 25 mg at bedtime. I'm thinking about getting it increased as they say it helps with pain. I also take metoprolol fir blood pressure. It's a beta blocker and helps me too. I thought I never could get off xanax but I did. Hope this helps. I figure if this stops working I'll get liquid marijuana for nerves.

I have had chronic, daily anxiety and panic for 2 years now. Everyday I wake-up and feel dissociative and ill. Dr put me on amytripilyn, after trying a dozen different AD. I got worse on all of them. Only 5mg of amytripilyn so far for 5 nights. First 4 days was bliss. No, or minimal anxiety. Now this morning it's back. Should I continue on with the med and increase like the Dr said after 7 days? I should also note that I have become non functional over the past 2 years due to anxiety

It works just fine for me... been using it since 2012 ..so I would recommend it to anyone that has anxiety... but everyone is different.

Hi. I have had a sudden attacks of anxiety ..it got so bad couldnt gobto work... long story short my doc put me on amitriyptile .imbtaking 25mg at night..its been 3 months..my doc wants me to increase to 75mg..it has worked somewhat but weight gain is bad..plus recently I been having twitching of arms and legs..but I dont want to give up on this med..I know it has made a dif just at 25mg so maybe 5o or 75mg it will really help im just nervous about increasing it..I try to take zoloft omg the side effects got so bad I went to ER..and thats afterv2 pill so I am so scared of trying new meds..good luck!

Could very well help. I take it for help with pain and do find my anxiety levels are lower. EJ23

Hi Andy! Wow Amitriptyline is ancient and the generic for Elavil. I took it myself for years before the newer SSRI drugs. Actually I think it is a great drug for helping you SLEEP. It does help with anxiety but it doesn't start working for approximately 3-6 weeks. Keeping this in mind, along with the fact that it causes dry mouth, you might give it a try. It certainly is one of the safer medications and one of the very inexpensive ones. Good luck!

Hi, andy! Amitriptyline is one of the older tricyclic antidepressants that was used fairly effectively for depression and anxiety disorders before the newer classes of AD's hit the market. It's certainly worth a try.
It worked quite well for me, but like kaismama, I had dry mouth and it left me a bit groggy. Here's a link:
https://www.drugs.com/amitriptyline.html
Best wishes, WCV

It may help. It has side effects too. I've been on it for more then 30 yrs. It causes weight gain and dry mucous membranes. This is your mouth, eyes, and nose.