amitriptyline for fibromyalgia?

Question

Just diagnosed, no advice from doc other than to take amitriptyline 10mg at night for pain and to help with sleep. Has anyone any other advice they would like to share? All responses appreciated.

Answer 1

amitriptyline is a well used drug for pain relief. It's particularly good in neurogenic pain and has shown great success. As far as I understand it changes pain receptors so the the messages are sent back to the brain is altered. Its used a lot in spinal injury and peripheral neuropathy.
I personally have used amitriptylline with excellent results. There is quite a stigma on this drug but please don;t be worried as the dose used for the pain releif is minimal and will be well monitored by your GP. the ifrst night i took it, I slept so well and when i woke up the next morning, something was missing !!! it took me a while until I realised there was no pain for the first time in about 4 years. I no longer need the medicine but that will vary to each condition.
i hope you have a much luck as me

Answer 2

Hi Rebbecca wolf lady here. I have been prescribed amitriptyline for Fibromyalgia. I am now on 50mcg. They are okay for a while,but I keep having to have mine upped every so often, because I guess my body gets used to them. They do work for a while, but I have trouble getting up in the mornings, so I hope you are not a morning person. lol. Christine R has decribed after effects to a tee. I think it would be good to form a fibromyalgia group, coz I don't know about you guys,but I find that people find it hard to understand, if they don't have it. I also tried for DVLA, but they too don't recognize Fibromyalgia for what it is. Good to know I am not alone with this stupid syndrome. By the way if you have not already, you can claim incapacity benefits.

Answer 3

I took it when I was intially diagnosed with fibro and then went on to be diagnosed with the more severe chronic pain syndrome, of which fibro is only a symptom of. The stuff made me really bad, nasty tempered. I had been on another anti-depressant which amitriptyline effectively is. My husband who has fibro took it too and all it did was knock him out. There are many natural products that many people have found much more effective (like myself!) than these mind altering drugs. Fibro sufferers are not depressed although they might feel a little frustrated and emotional and I really do think from what I have heard that the docs are floundering around in the dark. Be very aware that if this doesn't work they may start increasing the dose, and that may be all well and good for the pain but it will leave you very drowsy all day so its a case of deciding what is best for you. As the body gets used to and addicted to it the dosage will increase to get the same pain relief but will also increase the zombie effect. My husband has fibromyalgia and I have chronic pain syndrome. I have found a lot of support from the website below. I hope it helps

Answer 4

Hi, I have the dreaded illness. I say 'dreaded' because there are no real treatments or cures. Some drugs help for certain, I take morphine sulphate because I also have another nervous system related illness therefore I don't really know whether it helps with fybromyalgia or not. I also take pregabalin, a drug that helps pain spasms and an anti-inflammatory drug called diclofenac. A pain management specialist recently told me to stop all the drugs because they don't help fybromyalgia yet there are many doctors who would argue against her. I would too. When I have a bad pain period or sudden attack, pregabalin definately helps, as does morphine. I have experimented, therefore have no doubts. As far as amitriptyline goes, it is bad for sex drive yet it does help with sleep unless the pain is very bad. I was on 75mg per day but couldn't cope with the side effects. I am sorry if this sounds a little on the dark side, I have been suffering a long period of intense pain. I hope that yours is not so bad. The most difficult thing is constantly being reminded by doctors that they have no treatments or answers.

Best regards

Steve Costello

Answer 5

I have suffered from fibromyalgia for the last four years and haven't been prescribed anything for the pain or sleeplessness.
I think my doctor is of the opinion that, as it's a fairly new condition, I should 'snap out of it and pull myself together"

If, like me, your pain is centred in your back you might find that swimming (gently) 2 or 3 times a week could help.

Is there a fibromyalgia sufferers self help group?

Answer 6

as time goes on your Dr. will probable try many things. One of the first things he will try is something that will help you relax and sleep so you reach REM sleep. Sleeping pills will not do this that is why they try mild meds like this in the beginning. As you try each new medication it works best if you keep a note book, this helps you remember what you tried, when you tried it and how it worked or reacted to other meds. In the beginning you may find meds for fibromyalgia make you tired this is normal and your body will adapt. Good Luck. Find a support group either in person or online.

Answer 7

Fibromyalgia is a rheumatological condition characterised by soft tissue pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance and widely distributed areas of tenderness known as tender points. There is no laboratory test to diagnose fibromyalgia, which previously caused some health care providers to believe the condition to be psychosomatic, or brought on by the individual’s emotions. However, recent research has shown that fibromyalgia patients typically have altered sleep patterns and brain chemistry. Many report awakening repeatedly and not being refreshed by sleep. Furthermore, sleep disturbances (as well as stress) may lead to symptoms of fibromyalgia. One-third of patients with fibromyalgia also have low insulin growth factor levels, which indicates low growth hormone secretion. Because hypothyroidism can mimic fibromyalgia symptoms, the thyroid-stimulating hormone level should be checked routinely. Diagnosis of fibromyalgia is mainly by clinical history and what the patient presents with rather than dependent on clinical tests.

Each fibromyalgia patient is different but usually patients are advised to have an active exercise program, low-dose anti-depressants, acupuncture, psychological therapy to control pain. Chiropractic care, massage and physical therapy, used alone or in conjunction with one another, may provide some relief of symptoms. Aerobic exercise and strength-training activities have been associated with significant improvement in pain, tender point counts and disturbed sleep. Studies have shown that many patients’ response to combination of a tricyclic antidepressant, 25 mg of amitriptyline (Elavil), with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, 20 mg of fluoxetine (Prozac), was twice as effective as either one taken alone.

If your doctor does not know much about it s/he should refer you to a rheumatologist.

Answer 8

Amitriptyline aka Elavil, is often used in instances of chronic pain. One of it's side effects is drowsiness, so it helps with sleep as well. You might consider checking into a pain management class as fibromyalgia is a life long syndrome.

Answer 9

I was diagnosed with that 15 years ago and given the amitriptyline. I became physically addicted to it. When I would try to wean myself off of it, I would become suicidal (it is an antidepressant, BTW). Be very careful and do not increase the dosage without first discussint it with your doctor.

Check out: http://www.arthritis.org/conditions/DiseaseCenter/Fibromyalgia/fibromyalgia.asp

Answer 10

reflexology works wonders for a friend of mine who has fibromyalgia among other problematic conditions. It also has had an amazing effect on a friend with MS, got her her life back really. Not up on the meds but its something to consider trying alongside.