I think they have to look for it. Measure the graph etc.

Many doctors just glance at EKG's and don't measure the time intervals involved, unless someone requests that extra evaluation.

Many QT issues are inherited and only show up with the use of certain drugs. Others are acquired with drug use or poor electrolyte status. that is what that website is for, to explain this complex and often overlooked problem.

Well I will have them double check it just to be sure. I really think its gastro because spicy foods set it off and bending over alot sets it off too.

Thanks for posting this drug,
After reading about Elavil in this forum I naturally want to give it a try. Here are some limitations I have found, I'm on methadone and Lyrica and my methadone information sheet forbids the use of amitriplyine with methadone. I have been on Lyrica for four years and was on very high doses with Tramadol and developed breathing problems plus I fell a lot more than I do now. Also have developed a neuroma in my right foot and a knot on the back of my neck. Studies had shown that Lyrica caused tumors in rats when it was being tested. If all I had to take is amitriplyne for pain relief that would be just GREAT. After 2 years on Proscar and double dosages of Flomax I had the TURP surgery performed the 15th of May. The only problem was withdrawl on the second day as they did not allow me methadone and Lyrica for my PN pain. What is the recommended starting dosage of Elavil. Thanks

well i asked my new gp ( old one who was good moved to colorado last year, next one didnt work out and now this one) to start me on amitriptylene for the increased pain in my feet ( throbbing, stabbing)i have been having at night and resultant loss of sleep since i got a steroid shot in my cervical spine last may and was told i would have to get that from the neurologist since there could be interactions with current medications i am taking for asthma (COPD). Isnt that what a GP is suppossed to do manage the overall picture and keep track of the specialists? I also had an ear infection and the doctor wanted me to go to an ENT i said no you treat it and if it persists ill go. I get so tired of doctors. Now its a big deal to ask for a 50 year old anti depressant? This doctor is a new doctor, seems like they are teaching them in medical school to refer everything out.

If you are still planning on using the methadone, Elavil could be problematic. It would all depend on your EKG and whether you show long QT tendencies. You would have to watch for low potassium and low magnesium also if you combined them.

Most PNs start at 10 or 25mg at bedtime. A few may go up to 50mg at bedtime. In this country they typically don't go higher.
I seem to recall that Brian took fairly high doses.

I think this article is interesting showing actions at the peripheral nerve locations, when all along doctors thought
it was only working centrally in the brain.

If your doctor is younger... he/she may be brainwashed by the SSRI salesforce which painted a dangerous picture for the TCA family .... in the days of depression, very high doses were used, daily of Elavil and its cousins, and suicide attempts were often deadly. One of the salespitches for Prozac when it came out was that it was "safe" in OD scenarios. I attended a psychiatric conference where this was reiterated several times back then.
So some doctors are now of the belief that TCAs are deadly.
They only are in overdose or when mixed into long QT scenarios with other drugs like methadone, etc.

Men with prostate issues may have problems with the anticholinergic aspects of Elavil...they can cause urinary retention. Do you have that still? Or did the surgery fix that?

mrsD,
Echoes thank you for the quick reply. I'm on a 30 day cutback on Lyrica and methadone trying to find out how little I can get by on before switching to Elavil, after this period it will be good by methadone, Lyrica- hello Elavil. mrsd hope you don't mind me addressing you as Dr.D for your knowledge and unselfish sharing to those of us in this painful condition. As for the BPH right now it hurts to sit as I'm still in the healing process also wearing diapers.:o a lot of the medicines used for PN have affects upon the prostate including stimulate laxatives. I should have urinary control and be pain free in another 10 days. With the VA surgery is the last option and IMO is where a lot of drug use information is derived. The big problem I have found in all sectors of medicine is pain management. Doctors prescribing meds for their field of specialty and then comes a surgery and the patient best pray for a safe quick discharge if they suffer from multiple afflictions. Many thank yous to those in this forum.
Lanny

I truly appreciate the compliment, but please don't call me Dr.D,
as it would confuse the whole board!

I hope you heal quickly and can move forward with less pain.

75mg of amatriptyline works wonders for my nerve pain and i get some sleep!

What kind of improvement from elavil?
 

Hi Ladysheets,

I used to use elavil and believe I stopped it because it produced some brain fog. Little did I know how benign a little brain fog is compared to the sx from Lyrica. I'm would like to taper off it & go back to elavil.

How does it affect your feet and your balance? Those are 2 fixes I've gotten from Lyrica which is an improvement I very much appreciate. But, if I could get those 2 issues improved via elavil, I'd be very very happy.