Hi
Does anyone have experience with Amitriptyline (Elavil) for PN?

This drug is about the most commonly used one for PN.

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I took them for a few years, certainly helped the burning feeling.

I have taken for the last 2 months. It has helped some with the burning, but not much with other symptoms.

Even if it doesn't help much, I may continue it for a while becuase of research mentioned on this site that Amitrypline can stimulate nerves to grwo.

It didn't work for me, I take imipramine instead but am not convinced it does anything. Tramadol has been good for me.

Hi malagrl,
Im taking lyrica , dosent seem to be helping, yet. Im only on 50 2xday, trying to get passed side effects. I tryed tramadol, took 1/2 of 50. first time I had some shortness of breath for about 25 mins then it stopped. 2nd time I took only 25mg again. no shortness of breath just a little lightheaded. Well, about 2 hours after I took it, I got a very strong "brain zap" that went from the back of my head and extended into back and legs. It was like a lightning bolt. It left me shooken up and with some anxiety that lasted for about an hour. It was a scary and unnatural feeling. I stopped taking it after that. I wont know if It helps. Have you ever had anything like this on Tramadol. how much do you take?

Hi Steve
I heard that about Elavil (Amitplne) , that it can stimulate nerves.I forgot where I read it. How much do you take? My Doc wont give me a script, he says its "old school" and wants me to try these newer meds. My sister took Elavil for headaches. Im willing to give it a try. Doc says it has too many sideffects. Are you getting any sideffects?

If I had a doctor who was not willing to use a drug that may help me because it was considered old school, I would find a new doctor. Despite its age Amitriptyline is still very often used for PN and definitely helps some people. If your doctor just wants you to try something else first, that is fine. But he not should rule out a drug which does help some people.

I was taking 25 mg. It was bumped up 50 mg but didn't notice any significant improvement from what I had at 25 mg. Some people get a benefit on a lower dose like 10 mg. But I have also seen recommendations from places like Mayo Clinic and others that a person might be prescribed up to 100 or even 150 mg even for PN alone before you abandon it for something else. I have had no real side effects from the drug. I did pop an extra 50 one day and it did seem to help quite a bit, but that may have just been a good day or a placebo effect.

One reason why a higher dose might be appropriate for me was because I suffered from occasional depression before I got PN. I was taking Prozac. That helps depression for some people but has no effect on PN. So, I just got the doctor to switch me from prozac to amitriptylene.

I guess the latest drugs that help some people and have the greatest exposure on TV ads are Cymbalta and Lyrica, neither of which have generics. But neither have not been proven to work any better than older generic drugs. While my insurance would probably let me go straight into the newer more expensive drugs and I can afford the co-pay, I don't mind trying the old ones first. For me, it is just a matter of trying things to see what drugs, if any, work best without intolerable side effects.

i would like to say its done wonders but its side effects outdone the benifits,it helped relax a bit at bedtime with your legs but woke with a dry mouth and just felt ill and tired all the time.i was takeing 75ml a night,so i just deal with it now and take nothing.

It did not help me. It only made me sleepy. Gabapentin/Gralise is what works for me.