# Amitryptiline Side Effects **URL:** \ **Category:** Uncategorized Older than 1 year\ **Created:** [May 22, 2015, 7:39pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/amitryptiline-side-effects/8011 "2015-05-22T19:39:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![NamK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/779978/32.png) [@NamK](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/NamK)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2015, 7:39pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/amitryptiline-side-effects/8011/1 "2015-05-22T19:39:51Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![rissmal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/91b2a8/32.png) [@rissmal](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/rissmal)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2015, 1:43pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/amitryptiline-side-effects/8011/2 "2015-05-24T13:43:56Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![Smiley](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/smiley/32/472_2.png) [@Smiley](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Smiley)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2015, 2:43pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/amitryptiline-side-effects/8011/3 "2015-05-24T14:43:26Z")
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:) ---
**Author:** ![justjane37](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/justjane37/32/5321_2.png) [@justjane37](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/justjane37)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2015, 3:57pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/amitryptiline-side-effects/8011/4 "2015-05-24T15:57:59Z")
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.