Is anyone currently using amitryptiline? I've been using it and it's been working for the most part but I seem to be gaining weight. My neurologist said that is a side effect of the medicine. Has anyone had success with amitryptiline and switched to something else that was also effective but without that awful side effect? I finally got the diagnosis of ATN last month so it's nice to finally put a name to what I've been dealing with after 9 months.
Hello NamK,
I am taking amitriptyline in a combo with gabapentin, so only taking 10-20 mg. The combination does seem to have made the difference for me in controlling TN pain most of the time. I can take less gabapentin (which made me dizzy and forgetful in high doses) when I take the amitriptyline. It's only been about 6 weeks, but I haven't gained any weight.
I'm also eating purposefully for healing my body and building healthy intestinal flora: i.e., no sugar, no flour, no dairy, no packaged or processed foods, no alcohol. Eating this way (mostly vegetables, beans, grass fed meat or chicken in small portions, some fruit, and pre- and probiotic foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, kambucha, pickled veggies) has the benefit of keeping your weight stable.
Hope this helps.
Rissmal
Hi Namk,
I've been using it very successfully - allows you to keep some of your brain cells, but does unfortunately have the weight impact. Key thing to do is increase your activity if you can and be a little more careful with the carbs and fats. Hope this helps:)
Amitriptyline has honestly been my life saver. I have bilateral ATN for over two years now. Yes, I have gained some weight on it but I don't care. It is a more then fair trade off to be out of pain. Cravings are killer for me. I crave carbs and sweets. Learning to ignore those cravings helps as well as trying to be active as much as possible. I have gained 15 lbs which is fine because I actually lost about 20 lbs during the first six months that my ATN started. I was in too much pain in V2 and V3 to be bothered with eating.
I was also on Nortriptyline for about six months. The side effects are less with that med but it didn't make a difference with weight gain for me.
If you can eat like rissmal you may see a difference. My neuro told me to "eat like a rabbit". lol. That kinda offended me but he has a point.