Effexor to Elavil

[Daunting]

Hi all.


After being on Effexor for 9 days with massive headaches and insomnia my doctor has switched me to Elavil at 25mg. Took my first one last night, wow ws I ever tired today almost spaced out and some tummy aches to boot. Not sure if this the Elavil or the Effexor withdrawal?? I plan on taking only 12.5mg tonight just in case 25mg was too high. But I am also aware that since I have not slept in 9 days my doctor said I may be more tired these next couple of days on the Elavil.

Id like to know is there anyone that has success with Elavil for tummy pains and possibly slowing down the Diarrhea. My Gi and family doctor are suspecting I have IBS and Crohns and are trying to find a balance with an antiflammatory medicine such as a low dose of entocort and something to help with the IBS It sounds like an awesome idea but hoping we can find the right medical cocktail for me that works..

Trial and Error can be so frustrating

 

[UnXmas]

Elavil (amitriptyline) can definitely make you tired. I started taking it for insomnia, and it really works, and I haven't become tolerant to it. Do you take it at night? I don't tend to feel too tired during the day if I take it right before bed time.

I find it really constipating, so much so that I no longer need anti-diarrhoea meds - and I was taking well over 10 pills of loperamide and/or lomotil a day before.

I've never found it helps with pain though.

But this med has an awful lot of effects and side effects, so it can really vary what one person experiences from another. It can also be taken at very different doses, and many effects aren't felt right away but take several weeks to begin. You're on a very low dose now, so if you don't get the effects you want, it may be you can increase later.

By the way there is a support group for this med here: http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=47926

 

[Daunting]

Thanks for the reply.

What dose are you on?? I tried 12.5mg last night and I am still a little tired today. I do agree the meds do not help with tummy pains, I had less tummy pains on Effexor than I do on Elavil, and I was on the lowest dose of Effexor, I figure if there was a lower dose than 37.5 of Effexor I probably would of felt better. My doctor did mention Cymbalta because there is a dose of 20mg and he was figuring that It may help, only problem I am thinking is I am scared that I may get the really bad headaches again or the insomnia.

Hmmm not sure what to do.

 

[UnXmas]

Thanks for the reply.

What dose are you on?? I tried 12.5mg last night and I am still a little tired today. I do agree the meds do not help with tummy pains, I had less tummy pains on Effexor than I do on Elavil, and I was on the lowest dose of Effexor, I figure if there was a lower dose than 37.5 of Effexor I probably would of felt better. My doctor did mention Cymbalta because there is a dose of 20mg and he was figuring that It may help, only problem I am thinking is I am scared that I may get the really bad headaches again or the insomnia.

Hmmm not sure what to do.

I'm on 150mg but did take up to 300mg when experimenting to see which dose suited me best. I've found that above 150mg I don't really get any more increased benefits, but the side effects don't bother me too much either. I had some bladder discomfort when I was on it for a while, but that seems better than it was now. The only real side effect I get is constipation - which in some ways makes a nice change! And I can treat it fairly easily with laxatives.

Unless you have a really unusual reaction, which I've read is possible, insomnia really isn't a problem with Elavil so it does have that benefit also.

 

[Daunting]

Thanks.

I have a hypersensitivity to medications and even at 12.5mg I am feeling like I am a Zombie I am so not in check with my emotions and my stomach is sore and I've started running to the Loo again. I know that 12.5mg isn't enough to really constipate but I can not see myself taking a stronger dose as 12.5mg is not cooperating with my system as it is. I have no patience I am irritable. I wish I could lock myself in a solitary room until it passes.

So at this point, it is to go back to Paxil or try Cymbalta, not sure what to do