I have ATN and I'm sure my Dr will prescribe it if I ask for it. I'm wondering if I should ask for nortriptyline or amitriptyline? If they are both the same wonder if one is cheaper?
Hi,
I have ATN and I am taking 40mgs of Amitriptyline. I am not sure about the cost difference but your doctor or a pharmacist should be able to tell you that.
Side effects when I started Amitriptyline were dry mouth and fatigue. I take them a couple of hours before bed. I am sleeping wonderfully well, which was a welcomed side effect. Mornings for the first couple of weeks were a bit difficult. I was very tired trying to get out of bed. It would stay with me through the day, just fatigued and no motivation, kind of in a fog. Honestly, after the first couple of weeks I started getting used to both side effects. I have now been on it for two months and I am pain free and almost back to myself. I would say it makes me a bit foggy and unmotivated. I increased the dosage up from 10 mgs very slowly and it did take quite awhile for it to really start working.
I have heard that Nortriptyline has fewer side effects. Hopefully someone will respond that is on Nortriptyline with a comparison to these side effects.
Hi Justjane, I have taken Amitriptyln for 15+ years! first for another condition and now for ATN. A while ago I asked the Dr. If I could get off the Amitriptyln I have been taking for so long for IBS and I got a long lecture about what a safe, well known and well tested drug it was, with such a positive history etc etc. Later, when I decided on my own to cut down on the dose of Amitriptyln that I take for IBS is when the TN beast first raised it’s ugly head and entered my life, I can’t help but wonder if the Amitriptyln had kept it at bay for a while without me knowing it. I take 75 mg each night.
Hi, I was prescribed amitrip and it did help. I'm a nurse and I've worked with patients who are on tricyclic antidepressants for neuropathic pain, most seem to be on a low dose (10-20mg) and I got up to 100mg! I have dropped back to 75mg because 100mg makes me so sleepy even though I take it at bedtime - still sleepy in the day! It's hard to tell if my TN is getting worse decreasing the amitrip or in general (we have upped my epilim in preparation for the amitrip decreasing). My side effects were dry mouth which did go away, low libido (but hey aren't we all when we are in pain!) and tiredness. I say give it a go because why be in pain when something may work :)
I bet it was keeping your TN at bay. It has worked very well for me. Are you pain free now?
TL said:
Hi Justjane, I have taken Amitriptyln for 15+ years! first for another condition and now for ATN. A while ago I asked the Dr. If I could get off the Amitriptyln I have been taking for so long for IBS and I got a long lecture about what a safe, well known and well tested drug it was, with such a positive history etc etc. Later, when I decided on my own to cut down on the dose of Amitriptyln that I take for IBS is when the TN beast first raised it's ugly head and entered my life, I can't help but wonder if the Amitriptyln had kept it at bay for a while without me knowing it. I take 75 mg each night.
No, it has gotten worse and it’s a 7-8 on that 10 point scale we have learned to detest. It’s ATN and I have the pain 24/7. I had a Nerve Block for diagnostic reasons and a trial Stimulator Implant and then Implant removal a week later-- both made my pain quite a bit worse. That is with the meds, including Amitriptyln, that I take. I can’t imagine what it wold be without it. Did you decide what to take and is it helping?
I've been taking nortriptyline for almost 2 years, never tried amitriptyline. For atypical pain the nortriptyline helped a ton until I maxed it out.
Dry mouth and weight gain were the most noticeable side effects.
I had to split my dose, I take half in the morning and half at night.
Right now the only thing that helps for me is oxycontin 20mg 2x a day..if I go more than 12 hours between doses the pain is right back, even on 100mg nortriptyline and 120mg cymbalta.