Hi again!

I wanted to check in with this forum and ask whether anybody has been prescribed Elavil or another type of Amitriptyline for their PCS symptoms?

I’m curious what dosage you are/were on, whether it has helped and whether you developed any symptoms?

Four months after my car accident, I am still dealing with daily headaches/migraines, neck pain, nausea, dizziness and the occasional blurry vision and sensitivity to light (although this has gotten considerably better).

My doctor has prescribed Elavil 10mg for one month, but I’m concerned about the fact that it is an anti-depressant, and not sure whether it will target these symptoms/PCS directly, or if it’s just something that my doctor is giving me because she isn’t taking my symptoms seriously (thinking that I’m being too “worried” about this whole thing and trying to shoo me out of her office with an anti-depressant?)

I would really appreciate any input. Thanks so much…

Welcome to NeuroTalk:

10mg is not an antidepressant dose of this drug. Amitriptyline and Nortriptyline have had recent studies showing they improve nerve damage.

Low dose use of these two drugs does not often impact depression. They are used for all sorts of chronic pain, headache pain and neuropathies. Antidepressant doses start at 50mg a day or more, and often go up to 300mg a day. These drugs are rarely used as antidepressants anymore.

Some actions on serotonin do affect signaling in the brain in the pain loops and low dose antidepessants may help in this area too. Don't expect much subjective antidepressant feelings at 10mg a day however. These drugs are not fast onset either, so expect at least 3 weeks to pass before you notice improvements. You may have side effects first before improvements occur.

Thank you for your response, mrsD.

Is the 10mg dosage something that I would have to continue taking for a long time as long as I still have PCS, or is it something that will help cure up my symptoms so that I can stop taking it after the one month? I am concerned about becoming “dependent” on this drug to feel good.

Also, are there any side-effects to stopping the drug later? (Will my symptoms all of a sudden get worse if my body doesn’t get it when it is used to it?) Thank you.

I’d love to hear from anyone who has had experience with it.

At 10mg there would probably not be a taper needed. Tapers only are needed for longer term use at higher doses.

It is hard to say how you will react to it. Everyone is different.

But I will say, that most diabetics take it, for their peripheral neuropathy issues. We are talking millions of elderly right this very minute!

I have been on 10 mg Elavil for about 2 years. Unfortunately didn't help with my main symptoms (dizziness, headches, fatigue) for me and some things it helped is to make my stomach calm and helped with my smell disorder. As mrsD mentioned nowadays it has been used for number of reasons and for some it helped immensely with PCS.

Each person is different when it comes to how you react to medicine and some has no side effects and for some significant. It made me more dizzy in the beginning then side effects went away. Same goes for quitting. I tried to quit and it affected my sleep, got terrible nausea than normal. I guess I continue for now. according to doctors 10 mg is really a low dosage.

I was prescribed this for my headaches at the lower dose as well.


My doctor told me that because it was a small dose it wouldn't be an issue- similar to the opinions posted above.


Everyone is different, but this was awful for me!


The side effects were horrible. Scary!


I became suicidal and have no history of depression, or any other mental issues. I was a perfectly healthy happy 23 year old athlete before my PCS.


Not to mention all the other side effects. I felt like I was ingesting toxins.


It is possible that many people benefit from this but please be an informed consumer!


There is a site online:
http://www.askapatient.com/viewratin...03&name=elavil

People discuss their experience with prescription drugs. Make sure that you look at the right dosage.

I can understand what postconcussion says since that is what happened for me with many other drugs doctors threw at me. (Cymbalta, Neurontin etc.,) With cymbalta I couldn't sleep for 3 nights and about to kill myself. But for some it is a wonder drug. Go figure.

No normal people wants to take meds unless it saves or helps the quality of life. I still wish I quit Elavil if only I don't get these withdrawal effects.

If you don't try these meds then going to doctors is no use since every Neurologist sure wants you to try some meds. I have not seen any neurologist who said don't take any meds.

If you are concerned try with 5 mg instead of 10 and see how you react.

I couldn't take it -- after the first dose I had awful shakes like I had 10 cups of starbucks coffee...and never slept that night!

I had a similar response to Amitriptyline in that I was shaking a lot, and I had an anxiety attack from it. I only took one dosage and I didn't care to keep taking it after that.

Every brain is different. If your doctor prescribes it with a honest comment that it may or may not work for you, it may be worth a try. If you read the fine print and side effects, it says how many suffered each side effect. It is a crap shoot to find the drug that benefits your brain.

If your doctor has actually listened to you and will respond to your comments and concerns, give it a go. If he is disinterested in you, find a different doctor. The disinterested doctors throw meds at you to get you to go away. The interested doctors will want to understand your symptoms before they prescribe meds.