I've been on amitriptyline for 2 and a half years for headaches following a brain injury. I want to try to come off them but I'm scared to - does anyone know what kind of withdrawal symptoms I could get? I'm worried I'll get really bad headaches again and also because amitriptyline is also an antidepressent I'm worried I might get depressed - is that possible? My dr thinks I should come off it but wasn't too helpfull telling me about withdrawals etc..
2006-10-15 22:36:03 · 11 answers · asked by Cathy :) 4 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
Your doctor wants you off them but he didnt give you a weaning schedule?
Do not just stop this drug--ALL anti-depressents must be stopped slowly with a gradual reduction in dose.
Ask your doctor for a weaning schedule. Allow up to a month or more to get off them depending on your dosage.
Cold turkey off of these types of meds can be very serious and getting another headache will be the least of your troubles.
Good luck!
2006-10-15 23:22:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have done this and it does take time to do it right.
I was on a very high dose (225mgs) and wanted to get off of it coz of the side effects I was having.
The doctor was against me coming off so I did it on my own which was not the brightest of things to do. The doc realised I was serious and then helped me.
I very slowly reduced the dose over 6 months, giving my body time to adjust to the new lower level after each reduction. By the time I got to 25mgs the biggest step was the emotional dependence not the physical effect of stopping. But I did it and I am so glad I have. I feel human again! Don't worry that things will go wrong, take it slow and if you need extra support such as councelling during the process, ask for it.
Good luck, you CAN do it!!!!!
2006-10-16 02:45:22 · answer #2 · answered by huggz 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi Cathy - 2 1/2 years is a long time to be on the pills so I recommend coming off gradually. Go back to your surgery and talk through a process for coming off them with your GP. If you didnt find your normal GP to be of help then I suggest seeing another doctor at the practice. Good luck and well done for realising you need to come off the pills! Bxx
2006-10-19 00:03:22 · answer #3 · answered by Secret Squirrel 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is time to come off them but with this drug you have to be very careful how you do it. A very gradual decrease on a weekly or longer basis is suggested but stay put at dose if you have any adverse effects until you have stabilised then continue with reduction. If you are not depressed they will not make you depressed by coming off them but a gradual process will work all round. Good luck!!
2006-10-19 00:05:08 · answer #4 · answered by relaxingangel 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You did not say how much your taking but for instance if your taking 50mg daily, you will need to reduce this to 40 mg for a week or two then slowly reduce this to 30mg again for a week or two, then 20mg again as before for a week or two then 10mg for a week then slowly wean your self of them, by taking them alternatively and see how you feel. Only you will be able to tell what the best process is for you. Good luck.
2006-10-15 22:43:44 · answer #5 · answered by Lisa P 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I came off them but i did it gradually, taking less over a period of a few weeks, dropping it by 25mg's per week and i was fine. i got it in my head i was coming off them and it was the best thing. i was on them for pain too, not for depression and i made sure i remained positive because i knew taking them long term wasn't good for me. if the headaches come back go back to your docs, that's what they're there for!
good luck!
2006-10-15 22:38:25 · answer #6 · answered by Andromeda Newton™ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am on same tablet for depression, and trouble sleeping, my Dr said they are not addictive, I also was on them 4 years ago for chronic fatigue I did not experience withdrawal symptoms at all, just came off gradually from 25mg to 10mg and finally off them, that is my experience, hope it helps you.
2006-10-16 05:47:10 · answer #7 · answered by Little miss naughty 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was on them for headaches too... the only real symptoms i had was itching all over my body, but the doctor said that was quite a normal reaction!!!! i also found i wasn't falling to sleep early evening either.... it's best off them than on them though...
Hope everything goes well for you
2006-10-15 22:47:34 · answer #8 · answered by fluffy bunny 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its maybe a very low dose but if your not sure get a second opinion. I had a drug habit a couple of years ago and my detox was made so much harder cause the street drugs i was being sold had that crap in them. But i was off the scale your dose might be okay just to stop.
2016-03-28 11:17:50 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your case is a bit different to mine
but i was on it for depression and i had to go into hospital for a few weeks as i become very paranoid.
Go and see a different doctor and see what he/ she says.
Good luck
xxx
2006-10-15 22:39:29 · answer #10 · answered by ballet-babe 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋