Started Amitriptyline & Scared

While everyone's experience is different, amitriptyline did lead to significant weight gain for me. I'd been very skinny (OK, scrawny), the same weight my entire adult life when I started on it in my late 20s. In the course of about 6 months, I'd put on 40 pounds. I had exactly the opposite of loss of appetite -- my wife immediately noticed how much more I eat. I'm on 20 mg now.

Having said that, no other med has been nearly as helpful in my nearly 20 years of daily headaches. When I've tried stopping amitriptyline, my headaches get worse. I've decided the weight is worth the pain reduction -- I can function with the extra weight, but not with the extra pain.

Hello Behindtheseeyes,

Like Kymark said, everyone is different.  Just because the side effects are listed, it doesn't mean you will have them.  I've always been a little overweight, so I got really worried when I first started taking Amitriptyline.  However, I got up to taking 150mg of it for about a year without any side effects; no weight gain, no loss of appetite, etc... The only reason I stopped taking it was because it my body adjusted to it and it stopped helping.  Try not to worry about it too much; if you do notice anything you have the choice to try and wait it out, or call your doctor and tell him/her that you want to stop taking it.

Let us know how it works for you,

~Liz

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Dx: Chronic Daily Migraines & Chronic Depression

Daily meds: Trazadone, Norpramin & Cymbalta

PRN meds: Tylonal #3

Today is only my second day taking it, and I was surprised how quickly it worked. I get migraine headaches every day and barely sleep, but once I took it last night I fell asleep nicely, but on the bad side I could barely get out of bed this morning because I was really tired and groggy. But I'm hoping that will stop after a while.

The reason I was asking was because Im not used to taking prescribed medications so I dont really know how I'll react. I'm fearful that I'll gain a lot of weight...but today was the first day in a long long time I didnt have a pounding headache. I also noticed that for some reason I barely ate today. Normally, I always have a good appetite and I especially like cakes and cookies, but today I had no desire to eat anything. I had a little bit of soup and couldn't even finish it.

One more question-if these pills continue to help, will my doctor up the dosage or keep me at 10mg only?

Thanks again Liz and kymark.

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-Depressed-

-Anxiety Attacks-

-Chronic Pain-

30mg Allegra daily

 

"Tell them to look up. Tell them to remember the stars."

 

 

Hi Behindtheseeyes,

Congratulations -- I'm happy for you that you're getting results so quickly. Here's hoping that you continue on such a good track.

As long as the low dosage is working for you, I see no reason to increase it. If your doctor wants you to increase it, insist on a clear explanation for why. It's your body -- s/he is just there to provide support (like information and prescriptions). I'm lucky to have finally found a doctor who's comfortable with me as a full partner in my health care. I've had others (and specialists like neurologists are notorious for this) who think any questions or opinions from the patient are just an annoyance. If you have a doctor like that, try to get a new one -- they're not gods, just employees!

    

         I've been on Amitriptyline twice.Both times it put weight on me.The first time,before I put the weight on,I was 128pds.After awhile,about 4months,I put on 20pds.The nurse then asked me if I thought my weight might be the problem w/migraine.

         The last time was about 8months ago.I was on it for less than 2months and put on almost the same amt of weight.I hadn't changed my eating habits.So,I went off of it right away.I guess everyone is different,but I can't have that weight on because of a pill.

Hi my son was on Elavil name brand of am. He was on it from Sep.07 until Feb.08 He was 109 in Feb. was 142. causes weight gain definitely.
If you are worried about it I would talk to your Dr.
Also maybe look up Effexor and see if this would be something to help with your symptoms. Like someone said everyone is different. Just a suggestion. Everything is worth a look if you are not satisfied with the results of the medication.
Best of Luck!