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

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

If you use the search function you'll find posts:
143 of them. Some from people who rarely post anymore or
who have moved on.

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.

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.

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?

I tried it for a little while at night because my symptoms got worse before bedtime. Needed something where I could get to sleep and stay asleep with the pain. I worked nicely for that purpose.

Stopped using when I switched to a nightly dose of Gralese (very slow release Gabapentin). This solved the same problems.

James