My first El Paso Neurologist decided today to replace my gabapentin/Neurontin with amitryptyline/Elavil. I'm looking forward to this since the gabapentin doesn't work for me. Was wondering if anyone has had long-term success with amitryptyline, and if you have, what were you taking before that didn't work?
I've read some major complaints about drowsiness and fatigue with amitryptyline that make it too difficult to stick with.
Also, within the last several months, my TN has become bi-lateral, at least to the extent of my opposite front tooth. I thought the pain was of course dental, but a dentist and an endodontist confirmed with x-rays that nothing's wrong with the tooth. I've been getting the lightning bolt shocks that feel like they start at the root of the tooth and shoot all the way to the end, and sickening, achy pain most of the time. Maybe that's not true bi-lateral, since the tooth is toward the front and I don't have killing pain anywhere else on the non-TN side of my face?
He's going to keep me on a lowered dose of gabapentin while the amitryptyline is worked in. My co-workers are thrilled and have scheduled lunches in advance with me since I'm going to be so much dopey fun to be around. I asked my boss if I could get an office monkey to take the pressure off me and help me with small tasks. She said No, but I heard her laughing after I left her office, so there's hope. (for the monkey, not so much for the TN)