| Key to ratings for elavil: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine. |
| Rating | Reason | Side Effects | Comments | Sex | Age | Time Taken | Date Added | |
| | F M | | | | ||||
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| 4 | skull bone marrow expansion-pedia | weight gain, insatiable appetite | M | 9 | 6 months | 7/16/2002 | 2 | migraine | dry mouth, irritability | Did not prevent our daughter from having a severe relapse that lasted over a month. | F | 8 | 7 months | 10/17/2008 | 5 | for pain | dry mouth and a cough | so far it is a god send i had severe stomach pain and now it is gone | F | 65 | 3 weeks | 9/6/2009 | 5 | Fibromyalgia | Elavil works like lidocaine. Numbs all pain and stops muscle cramping associated with fibromyalgia. Other than slight constipation, no side effects at all!!!! | Wonder drug for fibromyalgia!!!! | F | 62 | 12 years | 1/20/2009 | 5 | clinical depression | Severe dry mouth on high dosages. Gum chewing increased saliva saving my teeth. Slightly constipating-for me that was good. Took a long time to adjust so that I wasn't a zombie. | For me the difference between taking elavil and not taking it is like miraculous healing. I sleep well, return to sleep readily, wake refreshed. Stops back pain. Many generic brands are not nearly as effective as others for me. The worst ones for me are carried by the big stores. If I could afford it I would take elavil and not the generic. | F | 61 | 26 years | 4/5/2009 | 5 | Depression | F | 61 | 32 years | 5/4/2009 | 4 | headaches, insomnia | Extremely dry mouth, which is affecting my teeth, and huge weight gain | Elavil gives me a full night's sleep without feeling groggy all day but the weight gain was almost immediate and I am growing everyday. I would stop taking the medication if I could find something comparable that did not cause weight gain. | F | 61 | 60 days | 1/23/2009 | 1 | Sleep-aide | RAPID weight gain of 23 lbs IN 5 MONTHS! Standing at 5'4", 153 lbs. is way too much weight for my back to handle. Yuck! I wished I had known all this before I started taking this medicine. | It did help me to sleep, but the weight gain far exceeds the benefits I am getting for the sleep. I am going to wean myself off. I am at 50mg per night, and I am going to cut the dose in half each night for a week and then into 1/4 so I do not have withdrawal. I am not even sure if one has to be weaned off of this med, but NO MORE ELAVIL FOR ME! I am going back on Unisom Tablets....not the gelcaps...they don't work for me. | F | 61 | 7 months | 4/2/2007 | 2 | peripheral neuropathy | dry mouth, depression, lethargy, raised heart rate (100bpm), poor concentration, apathy, poor balance. Anything above 10mg makes me feel totally drugged and so depressed. | I just about manage on 10mg for neuropathy. At times pain relief is not enough, but I cannot cope with the 'walking dead' feeling and could almost be suicidal. It is good for the pain. Would really prefer not to be taking it. | F | 60 | 3 months | 10/20/2008 | 4 | depression & anxiety | vivid dreams,short-term memory loss,sleep walking,loss of libido,excess sweating,,,,WEIGHT-LOSS !!! (about two-pounds/week !!! ) | I am taking 40mg. "Paxil",,, 25mg. "Elavil",,, and 1 mg. "Zanax" . All of the 'short-term' side effects go away after a few months,( dry mouth,sore throat,ringing in the ears,(so-called)...."Hallucinations",,,etc.) I don't have "NIGHTMARES",,,but I'm concerned about..."Sleep-Walking" & "Memory-Loss" ! ! ! | M | 59 | 6 months | 7/1/2009 | 3 | Sleep, neck pain | Weight gain in a short amount of time may be from sleeping ten hours a night. I'm on 25 mg. I fall asleep but have difficulty waking up. | F | 59 | 30 days | 1/4/2008 | 5 | depression and anxiety | side effects were dry mouth, constipation, kind of a loss of energy, sleepiness, some loss of libido, feeling of not being yourself | i have been treated for depression and anxiety since i was 25 years old and i am now 58 yo. i would like to recommend the following strategies which i have found to be helpful. i have tried umpteen thousand other newer medications and found them not to be as good as the tricyclics at least for me. my research indicates that these drugs are better on men. i think this is so because if u are athletic (which u must be on this med i think)_ pain is a more severe factor in depression. i originally took this med in the form of triavil which is elavil + trilofon (a anti- phsycotic. long term use of the latter raises the risk of tardive dyskenisia which is horrific and possibly irreversible. i have stopped the triavil because of this and proceed with elavil. one thing i would recommend is exercise to the point of being a pro. this will allow the lowest dose and add your natural chemicals to improve depression. i was able to have a good sex life on this med by varying the time i took it. dont take when u and your other want sex. try to work around this and i had no compaints. sometimes i would go off it for a while because sometimes i didnt feel like myself. try to become more self aware so that u dont go too far. my whole life revolves around my mental condition, but it is worth it as i have come to discover a sense of priority in that no job, partner, or anything else is worth sacrificing your happiness. in other words, do what's necessary to stay out of a deep depression as long as its not self destructive. | M | 58 | 28 years | 10/30/2004 | 4 | Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis | Extreme dry mouth, dental corrosion because of dry mouth, lack of concentration, lethargic, short term memory loss, weight gain, depressive and now starting to become chesty. | I was started on this by my Rheumatologist 14 years ago as I was unable to sleep because of being in chronic pain 24/7. I'm one of about 10% in my country that get no remission from RA and I was started on 100mg at night but that was increased to 150mg at night but I couldn't cope with the extreme dry mouth so it went back down to 100mg at night. It was explained to me that through relaxing my muscles to enable sleep my brain would release endorphins the natural pain killer to boost the rest of the large number of medications I'm on, and I must admit I do get between 5 and 6 hours sleep a night but I'm so groggy on a morning, and I still find the dry mouth hard to cope with which makes me drink lots through the day. If you can manage without this medication do so because I'm now getting dental problems which is also because of the dry mouth and after 14 years on such a high dosage I can't foresee me being able to come off this medication unless they come up with an amazing cure for s | F | 58 | 14 years | 12/11/2008 | 3 | pain from shingles, fibromyalgia | sleepiness, groggy, and very moody,,unusual for me~ | going to try it for a few more nites, and see what happens, might have to get it into my system for it to work without the side effects? | F | 58 | 2 days | 4/9/2005 | 3 | Migraines | After years of trying every other drug, this has helped tremendously. No migraines in a month and no longer have the terrible pressure in the back of my head | While I am thrilled to be out of pain, I am very upset at being unable to get up in the morning. I am totally exhausted. I also feel a change in mood, dry mouth and some memory loss. I am on 50 mg. I am simply not myself on this medication.... | F | 57 | 1 months | 1/13/2008 | 3 | fibromyalgia | I take 50 mg for a restfull sleep at night | F | 57 | 12 years | 2/1/2003 | 4 | Over active digestive system | Weight gain; inability to urinate; constipation; loss of libido | A GI MD suggested a low dose of Elavil after reviewing my 7 years of tests, procedures, medications for reflux and/or vasomotor rhinitis, and the 18 other specialists I had seen before him - with 0 results. My complaint was throat congestion, most noticeably after eating. Since 1999 I've been plagued with chronic throat clearing and IBS. This GI said tricyclics were recently found to help 'some' with IBS. I started with 25 mg, then 50, and within 2 weeks I was totally FREE of throat congestion, I had more normal bowels, I was less anxious, AND I could fall asleep right away (it used to take at least 1 hr) - 1st time in 7 years! My husband & I were able to sleep together again. Unfortunately, 50 mg. started to lose its efficacy after a few weeks, so I upped it to 75mg. This worked for about a week or 2 before I started with the throat congestion again. My MD increased it to 100mg today. We'll see what happens. I'm worried about the weight gain and libdo. (Vitamin B seems to h | F | 56 | 3 months | 3/5/2007 | 4 | neuropathic nerve pain | dry mouth, excessive perspiration around neck and upper chest area, particularly in morning. Generally wake up wet. Also, dry mouth, constipation and decrease in libido. | I have taken elavil on two different occasions, both for neuropathic pain (once in arm, again in abdomen). Started at 10 mg. each nite and worked up to 50. Am now weaning myself off it all together. In both instances it worked quite well, side effects notwithstanding. I slept quite soundly and could easily sleep till late morning. Upon waking, however, I felt quite rested, moreso than ususal. I had tried neurontin first in both instances with no effect. Much preferred the results with elavil. | M | 56 | 3 months | 4/21/2008 | 3 | Pain | Elavil side effects: Weight gain, dry mouth, weird dreams, tooth decay, irregular heart beat, sweating, ejaculation problems. | I have been taking elavil since my car accident. I was a competitive sports guy. Powerlifting, football, etc. Started out with good results from the medication but after 4 years on 50mgs I'm going off the stuff sleep or no sleep. I never really slept most of my life because of hyperactivity. I took up Tae Kwon Do and never felt better. Joints and muscles get stretched and worked like never before. Fibramyalgia went away and my sex life is back again. My best friend is a nutritionist and I have been on a regiment of vitamins which absolutly work. I'm 56, very active, and feeling good. My email is michaelaseay@comcast.net if you want to know exactly what I take and do for exercise. I will return your email. | M | 56 | 4 years | 11/18/2004 | 2 | severe insomnia, fibro pain | Increased appetite, esp.for sweets; weight gain; lethargy/no energy-- want to lie around all the time, which really piles the weight on; irritability and anger. All this on a 10-mg dose. Took intermittently for 2 years, then upped it to every night during a period of extreme stress. | It's great for sleep-- I have terrible insomnia without it. But taking it every night seems to be too much. I'm tired of feeling stupefied all the time, and seriously worried about the irritability and anger(rage might be a better word). Seems too easy to blame a drug for my mental state, but I think Elavil is definitely contributing to it. | F | 56 | 3 years | 5/29/2007 | 1 | Daily headaches (migraine) | Tired, feel like my lower extremities are detached from my body, lightheaded and (the worst) emotionless. | I've had daily migraines for three years. Was on Depakote for two+ years (caused tremors & fatigue), then tried Topamax, which I could not tolerate (extreme insomnia, some manic symptoms). A headache clinic doctor prescribed this, but it hasn't helped my headaches yet. I realize you're supposed to give it up to 4 weeks, but I hate the way I feel and am finding it difficult to work or interact with people. I also do not want to gain weight. | F | 56 | 14 days | 10/5/2009 | 5 | to control chronic diarrhea/IBS | It took me about a month to work up to 75 mgs a night. During that adjustment period I was sleeping 10 to 12 hours a day...UNHEARD of for me, as I was getting by on about 6 hours of sleep a night. I felt very groggy in the morning and it was difficult to open my eyes. At times I felt like someone was trying to hold my lids together..very creepy. I've also had very intense, very vivd dreams, although not really nightmares. There's sort of a blur between what I dreamt and what is real. I've also been gaining weight, about 6 lbs. in 3 months, and I CRAVE carbs!! I can sit and eat a pretty good sized meal, and feel hungry again 15 minutes later. I'm being very careful about eating lots of protein and staying away from junk food. All my clothes are getting too tight and my breasts have gotten bigger...not very comfortable. | After 25 years of tests and no answers as to why I had constant diarrhea and weight loss, I finally can travel and enjoy my life!! It has totally controlled my diarrhea and the side effects are absolutely worth it. Dry mouth went away after about a month. | F | 55 | 3 days | 6/12/2007 | 5 | anxiety panic disorder | none | have taken this medication on and off for 15 years but only for short periods at a time and at a low dosage 10mg even 5mg works for me that is what i am currently taking my docter is happy for me to continue on it as long as i need to | M | 55 | 3 days | 10/2/2007 | 5 | deppression | cotten mouth, | I;ve been taking it 25 yrs,cant sleep without it.I rtied all the other anti deppresants, always come back to elival | M | 55 | 25 years | 8/29/2002 | 5 | depression and fibromyalgia | Dry mouth and some lightheadedness on standing. Side effects went away after several weeks. | I am writing because I have read many comments on here about people adjusting the dose on their own, or worse still, stopping cold turkey. This is VERY DANGEROUS with any antidepressant. You must increase the dose gradually and reduce it gradually. Please remember that all antidepressants affect the neurotransmitters in your brain. You need to be monitored. That said, the tricyclics like elavil are the gold standard for me. I do not respond to the SSRI's such as paxil. If you have depression that has not responded to an SSRI, you might need a drug such as elavil that also boosts the level of norepinepherine, which the SSRI's do not help with at all. Do not give up. There are many options out there. Another comment: people are mentioning dosages as low as 5mg-for this drug, 25 mg is standard for fibromyalgia and 75 mg is standard as a starting dose for depression. Allowable doses run as high as 300 mg under close supervision. I was on 150 mg for years but need only 75 mg now. I s | F | 55 | 15 years | 12/18/2005 | 4 | nerve pain in back of my legs | The benefits of this drug are great but the weight gain is fast and hard to get rid of. It feels like your whole body swells with it. I have gained 10 lbs and can't drop despite increased exercise and reduced food intake. I am on only 20mg and think I will drop to 10mg to see if this is somehow dosage related with me. Much as I like the relief, and the great sleep, I too find the weight gain distressing and may go off. This would be almost a perfect drug if they could get the weight gain side effect under control. | F | 55 | 7 months | 6/26/2007 | 4 | pain - frozen shoulder,fibromyalgia | Intense hunger, pain relief, GREAT sleep when previously unable to sleep, weight gain | I've noticed a change in my sense of taste in the last two weeks. Everything I eat feels the same consistency - whether I chew a pretzel or pasta or fruit - it all feels like I'm chewing a piece of gum. Very odd. Am wondering if it's affected anyone else's sense of taste. | M | 55 | 3 months | 9/8/2009 | 3 | Migraines and Night Leg Pain | My Dr. started me out on 50 mg. at bedtime, and though it helped me to sleep, I also had very vivid dreams and very bad "pill hangover" for hours after waking up the next morning. I went down to 25 mg. and have stayed there now for about three years. I haven't noticed a decrease in the amount or intensity of my migraines, but it did eliminate the night leg pain I was experiencing. I would like to go off of it now to see if it would return since it isn't really helping me to sleep but when I do I have dreams that are sometimes upsetting. | F | 55 | 3 years | 6/15/2009 | 3 | Frozen shoulder | Insatiable hunger beginning an hour after I take it, lasting a few hours. A definite improvement in pain after only a few weeks. Helps me to sleep. | Am wondering if anyone else has taken it for frozen shoulder. The hope is that it controls the pain enough for me to begin physical therapy to begin to regain motion back. | F | 55 | 3 weeks | 7/7/2009 | 3 | Arachnoiditis, sciatca, hern discs | Upon increasing dose from 50mg to 75 mg nightly began experiencing sleep walking, hallucinations, insomnia followed by very deep sleep. Would fall asleep on toilet and awake falling off. Fell asleep on sink and husband found me. One night I fried 2 eggs, burnt them,fried some scrambled eggs, tho I realized I was in a drugged state I did not have control of my actions. very scary; i could have burned the house down. I went back to 50 mg with no problems. It may not have been the Elavil by itself as I am also on Lyrica, Methadone, percocet, valium, and vicodin. However, the side effects I mentioned above did not occur until Elavil was added to my drug treatment to try to ease the chronic pain of arachnoiditis--neurological pain from numerous back surgeries, spinal cord stimulator implant and revisions, etc. My pain mgt doc thought the elavil would help the increased leg/back pain at night that comes from the arachnoiditis and felt it would help with the nerve ending pain. This pa | Believe I will be going off the Elavil and switching to Cymbalta. It has been recommended to me by my neurosurgeon and another pain mgt doc. Supposed to have less side effects such as the sleep walking-hallucinations, etc. | F | 55 | 3 months | 8/26/2007 | 2 | Depression. | Dry mouth (caused my teeth to decay completely). Sexual side effects, I could achieve an orgasm, but no ejaculation. Also the orgam was premature, only taking about 2 minutes. It seemed to increase my appetite and caused me to sleep a lot. | Did not work for me as an antidepressant. I take Wellbutrin and Effor now and after 30 years of trying things, this combo works for me. | M | 55 | 3 years | 8/13/2004 | 1 | nerve pain/inability to sleep MVA | Extremely vivid nightmares, personality change, suicidal thoughts, weight gain and terrible withdrawal after stopping 10mg dosage Nightmares continued for weeks afterward. | Effectivenss in helping with sleep decreases over time necessitating increased dosages. Would never take this drug again under any circumstances!! Dangerous. | F | 55 | 7 days | 6/6/2006 | 1 | Unexplainable stomach cramps | This is a terrible, terrible drug......complete loss of energy on only 25 mg a day. It was suggested by my doctor to help with unexplainable daily stomach cramps.....all is did was to make me constantly hungry for sweets...I gained 16 pounds in one month. | M | 55 | 1 months | 2/13/2009 | 5 | Interstitial Cyctitis/bladder | I have been on elavil for 16 years. I have Interstitial Cystitis, a bladder disease with no cure. I lived with non-stop pain for 4 years and was in deep depression from pain. Elavil took my pain from a 10 to a 2 (10 being severe pain) within 2 weeks. I have gained over 50 pounds since going on it. I was always a thin person. It has changed my metabolism. But, you have to weigh living with constant pain or having weigh on with gaining back your quality of life. I thank God every day for Elavil. It gave me back my life. But, I have never given up trying to lose the weight. | F | 54 | 16 years | 5/18/2007 | 4 | trigeminal neuralgia | weight gain, increased appetite, never seem satisfied with the amount eaten, nor type of food | Appreciate the change from the constancy of the pain to at least a masking of it, knowing it is only a masking and not a cure. Has enhanced my ability to smooth over rough and jagged edges of nerves that came as a result of the head trauma. | F | 54 | 1 weeks | 9/7/2005 | 3 | Chronic Back Pain and Insomnia | Weight Gain. | I started taking 10 mg of this medication about 2 years ago. I immediately noticed an increase in appetite and weight gain. I watched my diet but I put on 30 lbs in 18 months. I would rather suffer the pain than put on the extra weight. I stopped cold- turkey with no side effects. I am taking Restoril for sleep and mobic for the chronic pain. I still hurt but I need to lose the weight. | F | 54 | 18 months | 6/6/2007 | 1 | nuropathy | From day one, each day I was just dragging myself through the day. Felt like I had aches and pains all over. I was in a very bad mood every day. My husband said I had turned into a different person. I had constipation so bad and no laxatives helped me. I had dry mouth. My appetite increased, all I wanted to do was eat. I had sharp pains in my eye. Lights at night were purple and still are, 3 days after stopping drug. Bad medicine for me. I stopped 3 days ago and already I feel like a new person, like my old self! I'll live with the nuropathy rather than these awful side effects. | F | 54 | 14 days | 9/1/2006 | 5 | Chronic daily headache | Some weight gain (6 or 7 pounds). Minor constipation. Vivid dreams. | I am taking amitriptyline. Started at 10mg per day for a month,which had no effect. Gradually increased to 30mg per day which seemed to resolve the problem of chronic daily headaches almost completely. Over past week have tried to reduce from 30mg to 25mg but I have noticed the effect immediately as headache symptoms beginning to recur. Will stick with it a bit longer, but then may have to go back to 30mg. Am concerned that I may have to take it 'for ever' as root cause of me suddenly having multiple headaches still unknown. | M | 53 | 12 months | 12/29/2006 | 5 | Chronic Abdominal Pain | Initially dry mouth, drowsyness, confusion - all of which subsided within 6 weeks; continuing difficulty urinating; recently (after 12 months or so) vivid disturbing dreams. | This was prescribed at 10mg / day to help with intractible right sided abdo pain presumed to be refered from my hiatus hernia & gastric reflux. Initially this stuff sent me into a zombie-like trance for several days, but has worked wonders with my pain levels, now that I have become acustomed to it. If I try a higher dose (following pain breakthrough) I get a return of the 'fog'. I have difficulty when I try to start to urinate, and I often feel like I need to go, when I don't! I would like to wean off of it, but am very concerned that the pains would again become very bad. I'm slowly losing weight on a sensible diet, and am excersizing well - this drug has changed my life! | M | 53 | 15 months | 2/9/2009 | 3 | Night sweats and insomnia | Dry mouth, weight gain, vivid dreams and constipation | I have been on Elavil for menopausal night sweats and insomnia from the night sweats. This has helped me to sleep better at night but realized that I have gained 6 lbs. in 6 weeks. I have also had the vivid dreams and some nightmares. I am also experiencing constipation when I previously had IBS symptoms occasionally. I am not sure if I will continue to take this medication because I don't want to gain anymore weight. This is a good medication if you can stand the weight gain. | F | 53 | 45 days | 11/20/2008 | 2 | migraine | took 10 mg after dinner and headache would start within about 1-2 hours and build through evening. By the time I would go to bed, I was having an acute migraine. I only took this pill for 3 days. | F | 53 | 3 days | 10/21/2007 | 1 | fibromyalgia | weight gain!!!!!!!!!!!! | taking 25mg - helps sleep but the weight gain was very fast and made me uncomfortable, I did some on line investigation and talked it over with several medical persons, and my own Dr and was switched to Wellbutrin time released. Works the same as Elavil except for the "sleeping" issue. I now take "Gaba" which is a over the counter purchase at a health food store, at night which helps the sleep and the pain..... will have to see if the weight will come off ...... will keep you posted | F | 53 | 2 years | 7/25/2007 | 1 | chronic pain, anxiety | At first Elavil made me sleepy which I liked because of the relaxation. Over time it began to make me feel awful. I was exhausted all the time and not thinking straight. I was gaining weight even though I was dieting, then my hair began falling out. I was so bloated my rings didn't fit and I went up a shoe size. When I stopped taking it I lost 5 pounds immediately. The withdrawal was very unpleasant. In the end, this medication made my anxiety and depression worse. It did not help with pain at all. | I wouldn't recommend it. | F | 53 | 1 years | 2/14/2008 | 1 | Osteoarthitis-Chronic pain | Drowseness - Constipation - Racing heartbeat - Hot flashes - Lost of taste - Dry mouth - Skin peeling in mouth. I have stoped taking it 10 days ago and dry mouth, lost of taste and skin peeling wont go away. Didn't help pain at all. Will never take again ! | F | 53 | 30 days | 10/23/2004 | 1 | Fibromyalgia Pain | Total mental confusion. I took one dose of 10mg and was whacked for days. Guess I was hypersensitive | M | 53 | 1 days | 8/20/2004 | 5 | Bladder Spasms | Dry mouth, sore throat are the annoying side effects. | 10 mg per day before bed. Bladder spasms have completely subsided but so have my hot flashes and I have no appetite. I've lost 15 lbs since early January. | F | 52 | 2 months | 3/1/2008 | 4 | Depression | dry mouth and craving for sweets | this is my only reliability against depression and sometimes alternate to pamelor as they both do the same thing -- I have been put on every drug for depression and the only ones to work was elavil and pamelor and if not for these two drugs I would not be here | M | 52 | 9 years | 12/27/2002 | 4 | Insomnia | Extreme drowsiness and daytime fatigue after about 5 days at prescribed 10 mg dosage. | Prescribed for early morning awakenings - 10mg at bedtime. Cut pills in half and now take 5 mg which still works well for sleep but elimanates the daytime fatigue. I also take 1mg clonazepam at bedtime along with the elavil. | M | 52 | 2 weeks | 10/15/2003 | 4 | Sleeping Unexplained minor pain | at first I started at 10 mg and it made me sleep very deeply. Doctor gave it to me because I had pain in lower legs. After that, my family doctor upgraded to 25 mg as an antidepressant. It was good to sleep; but for depression, useless. I did not saw any changes. If you can sleep with 10 mg, why go to 25? Use the lowest possible dose to sleep. For depression, the dosage is much higher. | Very cheap product because it is generic I think | M | 52 | 3 months | 11/21/2004 | 4 | MS and insomnia | Morning grogginess and bad attitude. | Originally given to ne for fibromyalgia/insomnia but it turns out I have MS. Certainly works to help keep me asleep. The original dosage was 25mg twice a day. Well, I tried 25mg the first night and said, "never again". The grogginess was too much. Next bout of insomnia I tried half a pill. Still too much so I tried 1/4 pill. Now we were getting somewhere. That was about 20 years ago. Now I'm up to 50mg at night. I still wake up with a bad attitude so I just don't speak to anyone for about 30 minutes then I'm OK. I want to try getting off this stuff some day but it does help with sleep and body pains. | M | 52 | 20 years | 8/4/2006 | 4 | FIBROMYALGIA | WEIGHT GAIN & WATER RETENTION | F | 52 | 5 years | 11/7/2006 | 4 | migraines and sleeplessnss | dry mouth noticed once or twice a day, but not terribly bothersome. I chew more gum and drink more water now. Increased appetite but not have gained any weight due to watching what I eat. Definitely sleep more soundly and go back to sleep more easily when waking during night. | My headaches seem to be hormonal (menopause) and are intermittent. Since I began Elavil (15 mgs per day taken near bedtime) I have had no headaches or stiff neck and I am sleeping well. However first three weeks I had a lot of difficulty waking up in the morning. Am trying to take the Elavil a little earlier than bedtime and don't seem quite so tired in the morning. So far it has been beneficial. I cut a 10 mg pill in half to medicate at 15 mg. 20 mgs at bedtime makes me too sleepy. | F | 52 | 4 weeks | 4/24/2009 | 2 | pain, and sleep aid | Very dry mouth | Got no sedation, no pain relief, nothing. All this med did for me was give me such a dry mouth I couldn't keep taking it. Got so dry it was hard to talk! | M | 52 | 2 months | 3/3/2008 | 2 | Migraine prophylaxis | very mild hemiplegia/hemiparesis in first week of 10mg/day. Numbness on one side of my throat was somewhat of concern re swallowing and breathing. These sx went after a week. After two weeks on the drug, I experienced a migraine. Pharmacist told me that it should have worked by now and to speak with my doc. Haven't taken it since. Have had no migraines since! (i.e. after a month). | This med is now considered by migraine specialists to be archaic in the prophylaxis of the disease. It's relatively safe and it's cheap, which I imagine is why it still gets prescribed. I feel that I may have slept a little better on this med. But, to be honest, the very best cure for my migraines is total avoidance of any triggers. Given that my triggers include virtually all external stimuli (from sound and light to noise and the ordinary business of life), it seems that I am, in our culture, very disabled. I'm trying to make the point that maybe we get migraines because we are not physiologically designed for, nor have we adapted, to the crazy demands of 21stC life. | F | 52 | 14 days | 8/18/2007 | 1 | for fibromyalgia | I just looked up the side effects from Elavil and I have SEVERAL. And none of my doctors told me about ANY of them: glaucoma (increased eye pressure); extreme fatigue,diarrhea, liver problems,increased blood sugar (I'm diabetic); bloating;photosensitivity, EXTREME DRY MOUTH!EXTREME PERSPIRATION!;restlessness;bad tremors | It might have helped the fibromyalgia, but DEFINITELY not worth the side effects! I have every contraindication for taking this drug (like thyroid disorder) and my doctors still prescribed it like it was as safe as drinking water!! Like others here, I didn't even know my side effects were from the Elavil! | F | 52 | 1 years | 10/16/2007 | 1 | chronic neck pain | Lethargy & weight gain | I was prescribed Elavil prior to surgery to fuse my cervical spine at three levels. Elavil did abosolutely nothing for pain. I would not take it again and do not believe that it is an effective drug for chronic pain that is not psychosomatic. | F | 52 | 3 months | 7/19/2009 | 5 | Nerve pain, Depression,Migraines | Weight gain initially (30-40 lbs) but not sure what drug(s)caused it. Pain Mgmt Dr was 7th Dr/Surgeon/Specialist I saw & he figured out my problem & a solution!!! He took me off 150-180mg of oxycontin was on for 2-3 mos w/pain still at 6-8 on pain scale. Told me to stop taking it that day and switched me to methadone, lyrica and ELAVIL. | In a few days elavil w/methadone & lyrica took away the severe/kidney stone type pain I was experiencing BUT unable to function-- became a zombie for about a year & didn't work or drive. Pain Mgmt Dr. diagnosed me w/nerve damage from having 6 inch kidney cyst drained (2 pop cans worth of fluid), filled with alcohol for 1 hr to scar it. It deadened the nerves on outside of kidney. They re-generated 18 mos later & sent severe pain signals to my brain. He told me on 1st visit I would need a neurostimulator implant (normally used for back pain/failed surgeries-- Jerry Lewis has one) but had to fail 3 therapies 1st. I failed them, but took 4 months & 3 denials before ins. OKd the implant trial. Finally had neurostimulator implant, outpatient, quick surgery 14 mos after sudden pain. IT WORKED!!! (ins pd $47,000 for the unit--explains the long approval process). Will need it the rest of my life & every 8-10 years unit changed. I literally "charge my (internal, implan | F | 51 | 2 years | 3/10/2009 | 4 | insomnia | Only been 5 days, but, sleep ok. Wake a few times but able to go back to sleep. I've had horrid insomnia for yrs and after withdrawal from benzo type sleep meds sleep got worse! Tried Remeron for 2 months and gained 14 lbs along with other side effects. Since ridding the remeron and taking elavil I've lost 3 olbs in a few days! the bloating is much better too. Low dose of 10mg on Elavil hoping this will do the trick? Also, just got diagnosed with thyroid disease and started medication. That should also help the weight gain issue and maybe even the insomnia? Anyone suffering fatigue and cold hands etc check out your thyroid levels! I've had this disease for yrs! and it went unchecked! | 10mg helps get to sleep after about 2hrs. Wakings during the night but able to return to sleep. Appetite still active but getting better since ridding Remeron. Some constipation but I take magnesium supp's which take care of that!! | F | 51 | 5 days | 2/9/2008 | 3 | Chronic Headaches - Some Migrane | Sound/Deep Sleep,Grogginess, Weight Gain | Prescribed Elavil for headaches - already on Lexapro for anxiety / panic attacks. Had headasches that lasted for days, and would then go into a migraine (with visual and auditory sensitivity). Has worked well for headaches, but have put on 10-15 lbs in a month and a half. Not happy about that. | M | 51 | 7 weeks | 7/23/2008 | 3 | nerve pain and related insomnia | bloating,constipation,ravenous appetite | This has helped greatly with the pain,I take 30mg at night. However I am trying to lose weight as recommended by my GP and I just have to ignore the hunger pains, I have lost over 2 stone now while taking amitryptiline so it can be done, it's very hard though and much slower than it would be without the meds.Overall, I think it is worth the effort, better than lying awake in pain. | F | 51 | 6 months | 11/17/2007 | 1 | TMJ pain | Dr suggested I take 10mg Elavil at night, building up by the 2nd week to 20mg's. It did help to alleviate the TMJ pain but I became incredibly, deeply, darkly depressed, lost all motivation, felt foggy headed all day and my craving for eating sweets was totally out of control. I could see myself getting fatter by the day. I tapered back down to 10mg's - stayed there for one week, then tapered down to 5 mg's and then stopped but it took me close on three months before I felt 'mentally stable' again. This medication seemed to totally crush the life out of me. I was like the walking dead while on it. | F | 51 | 6 months | 4/14/2008 | 1 | for pain | severe anxiety attack, uncontrolled frightening thoughts | had only one pill (10 mg) - had to call 911 because of the severe reaction - never assume what works for others will be OK for you | F | 51 | 1 days | 9/13/2005 | 5 | insomnia | Starts with dry mouth drowsy upon waking for about 2 weeks, then none | Works well started at 5 mg but have raised it to 10. I still wonder about the long term effects of the use of this drug. But it does the job for my insomnia. | F | 50 | 3 years | 10/17/2005 | 5 | Chronic Fatigue, abdominal pain. | Morning sleepiness, constipation, dry mouth. | I suffered with debilitating chronic pain and fatigue, and had tried many other medications without much relief. Taking this drug (75 mg at night) helped restore my sleep which was the key to improving my health from terrible to fair. At least I could function and had a better quality of life. The morning sleepiness, constipation and dry mouth side effects all began to become less pronounced within two to four months, so if you have severe health problems, don't give up on it too early because of side effects. | M | 50 | 10 years | 11/9/2004 | 5 | fibromyalgia | Some fatigue, dry mouth | F | 50 | 3 years | 3/27/2004 | 5 | interstitial cystitis | dry mouth, sleepiness, increased appetite in the beginning | This medication almost completely relieves my pain. Additionally, since the pain was keeping me awake at night, I sleep much better. If I do wake up, the medication helps me go back to sleep quickly. I sometimes have a hard time waking up in the morning. But the elavil has make it possible for me to go through the day painfree. | F | 50 | 3 months | 4/13/2008 | 5 | vulva dynea and bladder cystitis | Dry mouth but not so bad since I also take respiratory allergy medicine. I can't totally blame elavil for conditions also associated with menopause such as weight gain and constipation. | I had suffered severe pain during urination for 9 years ( imagine having UTI-like pain all the time for 9 years and urgency followed by incotenince) which I didn't know what it was. I self medicated with aleve which worked good for a while, then my dosage need increased in order to control the burning and painful spasms. This made me worried about the cardiac side effects of aleve. My urogynecologist prescribed me Elavil. I started @ 5mgs. I'm now maxed @ 75 mgs. and I'm so happy, I don't have to worry about having an accident or if my adult diaper is obvious to others. I can now sleep up to 8 hours and dreams (supposed to be therapeutic for cardiac and mental health). Over all I'd say I'M HAPPY taking elavil. | F | 50 | 6 months | 1/20/2008 | 4 | Headaches | Bad GERD, tiredness, low sex drive | I started taking Elavil a year ago for chronic tension headaches, which begin in the back of my neck. I was averaging 1 - 2 headaches a week, lasting 1 - 2 days, and my quality of life really declined. Also, the meds I took for them (Fiorcet)were creating stomach problems. I saw a neurologist who suggested I take 10 mg, and gradually move up to 20 mg of Elavil. However, I could barely walk around on 10 mg. I read here that someone else tried much smaller doses with some success, and wound up taking 2.5 mg a day(!), with decent results. I still had headaches occasionally but much less often and for shorter duration than previously. Also, it was unexpectedly helpful with several other problems, including insomnia, periodic diarhea and urinary continence. I was less depressed and anxious on it, though frankly fairly numb, (I didn't cry for a year, but I can't say I felt great, - kind of 'out of it'). However, a seemingly minor side effect, mentioned in the warnings was gastric re | F | 50 | 1 years | 6/28/2007 | 3 | Shingles, insomnia | Profuse sweating while I am working, very embarrassing and miserable. Helps me sleep, but I worry about other side effects. My doctor says it is not the Elavil (75mg.) that makes me sweat, he says it is anxiety. Bull, I have always had anxiety, this is different, sweat just rolls down my face all day at work. I wonder if I reduced the dosage, would it help reduce the sweating? | F | 50 | 2 years | 5/21/2007 | 2 | chronic pain relief | Got up with worst hangovers in my life. Don't drink alcohol much anymore at all and can't take hangover feeling. | Prescribed for long term pain control. Will put you right to sleep at night and soundly throughout but not worth the fog you have to love in while on it. | M | 50 | 5 years | 3/14/2007 | 1 | misdiagnose of stress | very bad anxiety plus "buzzing" in whole body | it turns out I had a bad gall bladder but doctors at a prestigious hospital decided it was stress (though they didn't tell me) and wanted me on elavil. I had bad reactions immediately but I was told this was normal and my body would adjust. It never did-I went off it after 5 weeks but 3 years later am still feeling its effects. It has (possibly) ruined my life. | M | 50 | 5 weeks | 10/27/2005 | 1 | migraines | weight gain, lethargy, depression | I took a low dose to prevent migraines. It didn't work. I gained weight like I was pregnant, primarily because I felt like eating an entire tray of cinnamon rolls and then taking a nap. Once I got off the drug (and started on Imitrex), I lost a considerable amount of weight and had more energy. | F | 49 | 2 years | 2/9/2009 | 5 | Fatigue 10 mg | initial side effects? dry mouth and deep sleep. Extreme decrease in hot flashes!! and anxious heart palpitations | I wrote previously (see "Fatigue 10 mg" below). I have now been on this dose for 3 months. In addition to eliminating my fatigue it has the beneficial side effects of extremely decreasing menopausal hot flashes and anxious heart palpitations. The dry mouth left after a few weeks and it no longer konks me out at night. I feel great every day even at this very miniscule dosage. For fatigue, it's fantastic and the side benefits are wonderful. | F | 48 | 3 months | 6/12/2007 | 5 | insomnia | first few days groggy then cleared out | I was an insomniac for years, got so severe I felt like I wanted to die. First dose of elavil 10mg I didn't even know where I was, it was a nightmare. Cut the dose in half to 5mg to start and slept like a baby, always felt really calm and great. Love this drug, but had to go off of it after 10 years causing me to pass out occasionally from low blood pressure. I miss this drug, I never felt so good in my life on this. Took away the insomnia completely. | F | 48 | 10 years | 6/11/2006 | 5 | Insomnia | Dry mouth, daytime grogginess when I first started taking it | Have not slept as well in years. Wished I had asked for help with my insomnia earlier. | F | 48 | 2 months | 9/20/2003 | 5 | depression, anxiety, migraine | Sleepiness is my only side effect, but that's great because I take it at night and sleep great! No drowsiness at all the next day. | This drug has given me a new lease on life. I am on a very small dose at bedtime. That's all I need to ease my anxiety and depression, help me sleep well, and keep migraines under control. My doc was reluctant to prescribe such an old time med, but no other AD worked for me. Finally, I asked to just try this. He relented and prescribed a small dose. It made me too sleepy (drowsy next day) so we went even smaller. That did the trick. Wonderful drug! I am so full of energy and clear thinking and steady emotions now. Maybe it isn't prescribed enough because docs think it takes so much to work and patients can't stay awake at those dosages. But at least for me a small dose was all I needed to stabilize me. I'm so glad I tried it, and tried it at lower dose. So glad I have a doc who will really listen to my feedback. To top it all off, the generic of it is cheap. | F | 48 | 6 months | 8/26/2009 | 5 | Diabetic Neuropathy | After trying different meds for my neuropathy, including Lyrica which did nothing for me, my doctor recommend I try Elavil for the pain. I take 50 mg at night for pain in my feet and it works. I've taking it for over 3 yrs now and the only side effects I have is the severe dry mouth - which I notice happens more with stress. It does help me sleep - no pain. I do get very tired at times, but discovered that I am anemic, vitamin D deficient and low on B12. So I take a B12 shot every month, take vitamin D and chelated iron and pay attention to what I eat. I have an endocrinologist who helps me with my Type 2 Diabetes and my hunger. We added the medication Symlin (injection pen) to my insulin treatment - it's a hormone that most people with diabetes are deficient in; it keeps the food in your stomach longer. I'm not hungry all the time and I have lost weight. I do have to monitor my energy level though and I drink lots of pure water (I'm a waterholic connesuer) and the chewing gum help | I take the generic form - Amitriptyline. After reading about the different types of side effects from other ant-depressants and pain meds, I very grateful that I can take Elavil and have only dry mouth and fatigue. All of wich are manageble for me, at least now I know what was causing the dry mouth and possibly contributing to the fatigue. I hope that this gives hope to others out there. | F | 48 | 7/22/2009 | 4 | Migraines | I do have the weight gain, constipation and excessive thirst. But I'd rather fight the weight gain and other side effects than have the chronic migraines back. I have been on elavil now for 5 mos, and no more migraines. | I would suggest just working out to drop the weight back done, that's what I do. You have to weight the good with the bad, and its feels good to get rid of the daily pain. | F | 48 | 5 months | 9/29/2007 | 3 | Pain in hip & leg, mostly at night | I started out taking 25 mg at bedtime, with some success with pain management, and didn't realize I was having any side effects, other than having hard time waking up in morning. I had dose increased a few years ago, because pain was coming back, and increasing the Elavil to 50mg seemed to help. I have had chronic diahrea and gas (have had several tests showing no other conditions), severe weight gain, and I always crave sweets. Also I've had problems with ringing in my ears and dizziness (have ruled out Meneire's disease & all other possibilities thru many expensive tests. My Dr contributed it to my high blood pressure). I have also had problems with nightmares and 'waking dreams'. I didn't see all the possible side effects listed for this drug until just recently, and realized that all these other problems I have been having could be related to this medicine! I have stopped taking it this week, since it doesn't seem to be helping my pain problem at night anymore. Since I have stopped taking the Elavil I am having trouble staying asleep all night now, but pain is not any worse than it was when I was on the Elavil! It is too soon to tell if I will see any weight loss. I can't tell if sweet cravings have diminished yet, but possibly. I have noticed that I don't have as much trouble with diahrea now. And now I actually wake up before my alarm clock goes off! I seem to be able to get through the day ok, even though I am having trouble staying asleep all night. I'm frustrated that my doctor did not realize that all the symptoms I had been telling him about could have been related to this medicine! And I will let him know what I have discovered. | A history of depression runs in my family, but that is not why my doctor prescribed this medicine. It is suppose to some how block pain sensors (or something like that). It seemed to work for quite a while, especially after the dose was increased, but after several years of use, it didn't seem to help much at all. | F | 48 | 7 years | 7/17/2004 | 3 | Depression, Fibromyalgia | Can't sleep without it now. Takes a long time in the morning to wake up. Dry mouth a constant problem. You do need to keep an eye on your weight,as your metabilism does slow down. Affects your dosage of synthroid. | Even with the side effects,I think it works good for me. Took all the pain away from the fibromyalia which is a very big plus,and helps with the depression fairly well. I have to say that its the only antidepression med. that I have ever taken, so I can | M | 48 | 3 times | 3/24/2004 | 3 | Depression, Fibromyalgia | Can't sleep without it now. Takes a long time in the morning to wake up. Dry mouth a constant problem. You do need to keep an eye on your weight,as your metabilism does slow down. Affects your dosage of synthroid. | Even with the side effects,I think it works good for me. Took all the pain away from the fibromyalia which is a very big plus,and helps with the depression fairly well. I have to say that its the only antidepression med. that I have ever taken, so I can | M | 48 | 3 times | 3/24/2004 | 3 | nerve pain | not sure really, but it made me sleepy in the beguining. | I like to stop but worry about not sleepig. i have done it in the past and i only go back to it so i can have a better night sleep | F | 48 | 1 years | 8/2/2007 | 2 | miagraines/anxiety/depression | sore throat,extremly sedated,increased anxiety,couldn't eat headaches,no energy, swelling | I tried 25mg, 10mg, 5 mg, When I was on the 25 I mostly stayed in bed, I took this for about 4 days. The 10mg and 5mg made me feel like I had a bad case of the flu.Terrible headaches, increased anxiety where I started the pacing, couldn't sit still. The 5mg also gave me blisters on the mouth.(not cold sores)with lots of swelling going up my face. | F | 48 | 4 days | 9/6/2007 | 2 | Chronic Fatigue/FM symtoms (UK) | Nearly 3 stone (42lbs) weight gain, constant hunger, shaky hands, numb arms, vivid dreams, LOVE sleeping, difficulty waking/getting up, generally feeling rough. | THANKS for this site and letting me see that I am not the only one experiencing all these problems. It's called amytriptiline in the UK and I only take 10mg at bedtime for CF etc. Sleep well, usually, but not so good before a 'work' day (only work 3 days a week thank goodness). Always tired and lethargic, can't stick to exercise or diet, really really very fed up.Will go to docs and tell him about this site and ask for an alternative. I'd rather be in pain than have no life at all. Could use Ibruprofen for pain instead and try other sleep techniques? | F | 48 | 4 years | 7/17/2009 | 1 | Chronic joint pain | Nightmares, hallucinations, zombie like. Took 75mg 2 days ago and can barely sit up. Major DRY MOUTH. Confused, scared. How long does this last? I poured out my prescription. Never again will I take this! | M | 48 | 1 days | 7/20/2007 | 5 | Fatigue 10 mg | Conks you out for a solid 8-9 hours at night. | Both this winter, and 20 years ago, I took 10 mg of Elavil specifically for long-term fatigue (with no other symptoms). 20 years ago, it was day 3 when I started to feel normal energy again. This winter, it was day 4 when my days became normal again. I have my life back. 20 years ago I took the Rx for 30 days, this time I tried it for two weeks and stopped. It's been a week off the Rx and I still feel normal. This dose of this Rx has been fantastic. | F | 47 | 14 days | 4/13/2007 | 4 | Insomia and facial pain (jaw) | Very vivid dreams and inability to wake up in the morning. After 5 months of not sleeping for several nights in a row this has been a huge help. On 10mg but thinking of halving the pills | I've a badly damaged jaw and this has left me with a lot of facial pain. Insomnia got just too much this summer. Worried about the dreams though - if it can do that to your brain on a low dose what's it physical and mental changes are going on. Concerned I can't wake in the morning until the dream sequence has finished.sometimes can tell dream from reality causing confusion in a morning. Couldn't take this if had go out to work, but work from home. Great for insomnia, but still worried about side effects. | F | 47 | 40 days | 12/23/2007 | 4 | Waking up all night very anxious | blurred vision, complete loss of sex drive, inability to orgasm, mild weight gain. | I'm bummed about the side effects, but I was sleeping only a few hours/night and now I sleep 7 hours straight through; it's worth it. | F | 47 | 4 years | 11/26/2006 | 3 | pain, migraines | Dry mouth, daytime grogginess. | I have been on 20mg for one week. I have noticed a deeper sleep and relief from headaches and pain. So far I would recommend a low dose of elavil for people who have fibromyalgia. I have been diagnosed for this because I have constant pain all over. Now that I have read these other ratings that say to take it earlier, I will do that starting tonight. If I get more sleep at night, I can do more during the day and I have noticed that I am accomplishing more now on this drug. | F | 47 | 7 days | 1/17/2006 | 2 | Insomnia | tachycardia (racing heart rate) | Have taken 25mg Elavil for approx. 3 yrs for sleep and for the most part was getting good results. Suddenly in the last 10 nights, my heart starts racing like a locomotive about 30 mins after bedtime. If asleep, this always wakes me up. This will last for a couple of hours and then I will fall asleep for my normal 3-5 hours per night. Feel like crap. Stopped taking elavil for one night, no racing heart, little sleep and a tension headache the next day I won't soon forget. Dropped dose to 10mg, still experiencing mild tachycardia, still can't sleep. Damned if I do, damned if I don't. | M | 47 | 3 years | 3/12/2006 | 2 | insomnia, muscle pain, depression | Difficulty waking, grogginess, feeling of malaise through much of next day if I took it after 9 pm or so. Jittery; shaky hands; dry mouth; coated tongue (yuck!) | My primary care physician recommended this related to insomnia, muscle pain and depression (which she felt was at the crux). I do not plan to refill this script nor take it any longer. As a mental health practitioner, I took it related to sleep issues which I have had all my life (the depression, I felt, was circumstantial as my father was dying and I was caring for him). She stated that she had been prescribing this "for years" and it worked very well. Perhaps for others but the trade off was not worth it for me. I did take this for two weeks to see if these were side effects that would wear off with time....they did not. I might add that it helped me sleep in the beginning (first couple of days) but after that it was not useful for insomnia. | F | 47 | 15 days | 1/28/2008 | 1 | Slight depression | Significant weight gain (a pound a day) while on it. Cravings for sweets - made ice cream taste like it never tasted before. | F | 47 | 20 days | 5/19/2004 | 5 | Depression/insomnia | Weight gain, constipation | The only thing that helps me sleep. In my 20s I would have insomnia for a week at a time. Also had extreme depression. Have combated the weight gain with constant dieting. It can be done with long term discipline. Positive effect is that I have less overall pain. Prior to treatment for depression I had a lot of stomach and body pain. Not any more. As much as I hate being on any drugs, this one makes me feel | F | 46 | 22 years | 3/22/2004 | 4 | IBS ..and stress | DRY Mouth for sure,tired more often, difficulty concentrating at times.Little anger issues initially but have subsided substantially.I get annoyed easier. | It had really helped my ibs. Inadvertently my sleep is improved as well.Used to wake up real early and not able to get back to sleep. stunk!...but now better than before... Dreams seem to occur less frequently. started at 10 mg and gradually upped it to 30mg...30 seems to be most efficacious at this point in time.I initially got IBS from a windsurfing incident in upstate NY..polluted lake, accidental ingestion of some of the bad H20..got giardia..gave me flagle(anti parasitic)?? Ever since my gut has been screwed up..especially when i took 5HTP..that really took it over the top. So far the Elavil and i take LEVBID..Hyoscamine...to help slow peristolysis. This is all a crazy experiment...going for a ride so to speak.Anyone in Cyber land that can relate to my experience..please email! | M | 46 | 3 months | 3/21/2008 | 2 | insomnia/anxiety | Extreme and immediate weight gain! Excessive hunger and drive for sweets. Headaches, mental confusion and boiling over anger which is difficult to control. No interest in sex. Loss of motivation, no energy or desire to leave the house. My life went 'flat line' on this medication. I would sweat profusely, it was uncomfortable and affected my physical activity. After being on this medication for several months, I thought I was loosing my mind. | Very frustrated - this is the only thing my doctor will prescribe for my insomnia and anxiety. I have gained 18 lbs. in 3 months, none of my clothes fit. In addition, I've lost interest in almost everything but sleeping. | F | 46 | 4 months | 7/10/2009 | 5 | IC, pain, sleep, mood | 3 lbs. | This info is IC sufferers: I had IC both in my late 20's and then again about 2 years ago. I'm 45 now, but when I had it in my 20's there was not even a name for it so I suffered and live on Peridium for about a year until things slowly settled down. When I got it again it made my life even more miserable. I was on Peridium Plus, Elmeron, Elivil (50mg), Zyrtec and some other bladder control drug I can't remember, and 2 different antibiotic for after sex just in case, and an antiacid for acid reflux. The only drugs I now take are the Elivil and Zyrtec at night. I drink a coffee call Kava which is instant and is super low in acid. The reason why I'm writing this is to tell IC sufferers I got better not because of all the drugs, but because I did physical therapy. I went to PT because I had pelvic floor dysfunction. And that was the root to my IC. I did months of PT once a week and after about 6-8 months I became symptom free. I still watch my diet, use Prelief for acidic foods, eat gluten free, and take the antibiotic and Peridium when needed. But over all I am in remission. So if you have not tried this therapy I suggest you do. IC is horrible and can ruin your life. I hope this helps! And I tolerate Elivil fine, I take it at night. I went off last summer but got back on in the winter because I needed it to get though my husband's deployments and work trips. I only gained 3 pounds, but I'm an avid runner so I'm able to manage my weight pretty easily even with the extra food | F | 45 | 3 years | 7/30/2009 | 4 | Migraines | Started with 10mg, the second week went up to 20 mg. Prior to taking elavil I was experiencing migraines every 2 weeks, have only had a very mild one lasting only a day in the 2 months that i've been taking Elavil, but, I have gained over 10 lbs in the 2 months, so I wont' be taking it any longer. No other side affects were noted for me, if it didn't make me gain weight I would stay on it. | F | 45 | 2 months | 3/2/2009 | 5 | migraine headaches | dry mouth and makes me very sleepy after 2 hours of taking it. | went from headaches on a daily basis- after taking this drug i get headaches 4-6 times a month. i had insomnia before this drug it cured that problem also! you need to think smart on how to overcome the side effects like chew gum and take the pills at nite only and give this drug a chance .people give up on it to early!!! stay on it for 4-6 months!! at least then give your opinion! if you still have problems with it then it just wasnt ment for you! | F | 44 | 10 years | 7/9/2003 | 4 | chronic pain | Weight gain, sugar cravings, sleepiness | It really helps me nanage my chronic pain. I sleep very well with it. I once missed a dose and had a migraine with aura, the only one I've ever had. | F | 44 | 3 years | 2/23/2004 | 4 | depression and headaches | dry mouth, constipation, sleepiness | It helps me live a normal life. | F | 44 | 2/11/2001 |
| Key to
ratings: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine. |
