Elavil to sleep?
 

I have been on 200 mg.for 13 years, so I can get to REM sleep, and as part of treatment for damaged nerves for G.B.S, but about 2 hours after I take them, I find myself up and eating everything in sight! Does anyone else on this drug find this happening to them-or is it just me?!

Nope I tried it and kept me up and gave me heart palpitations. I was using it for nerve damage as well.

Doc switched me to Zanaflex which is a mucle relaxer but also has effect on calming the nervs.

Well I have a couple of comments.

1) Elavil (amitriptyline) has recently been shown to help with peripheral nerve healing. However, 200mg is a very high dose, and we don't see that here in USA, anymore.

2) Chronic use of TCAs can DISRUPT sleep. In the beginning when a patient starts them, they cause drowsiness as a side effect and hence people may fall asleep better, more quickly.
BUT as far as to the QUALITY of sleep, they disrupt REM and
cognition over time.

Here is an article about that:
http://www.bbsonline.org/Preprints/O...bs.vertes.html

I would at this time discuss with your doctor if such a high dose is needed for you at this time in your recovery. It may be that you have recovered enough to warrant a change or removal in your treatment. You may have to be tapered off this drug, so consider that as well. Do not stop cold turkey, without medical advice and supervision from your doctor.

Good info MrsD. I've been using 10mg (tiny dose) of Amitriptyline for nearly a year now and it has been a big help for me to be able to sleep through most of the night. I may need to consider another alternative in the near future. I was previously using a small dose of Klonazepam and it had begun fogging my brain during the day and the withdrawal symptoms were TERRIBLE.

Greg, 10mg is a huge difference compared to 200mg.

10mg is the typical PN dose, and would be less likely to be a problem. Also the length of time of use is a consideration.

10-25mg daily is the typical dose used in PN.

MrsD-Thanks for info, now I am worried!The neurologist put me on this dose when I was taken to the ICU,and put on life support,ventilater,13 years ago,and did not ever mention taking me off of it,even when I saw him last year.I will ask him about Zanaflex.I got more nerve damage 2 years ago, when I fell and was knocked out for 18 hours,woke up, and the leg I had been laying on, became paralysed from knee to toes,they think because of previous nerve damage.Now that leg hurts alot more than the G.B.S damage.

I have nerve pain and take it at bedtime. 75mg.


when i have a flare up with nerve pain i take up to 150mg but that isnt very often.