I started taking Amitriptyline 10mg last October to help manage aggressive motility issues I was experiencing. My doctor's intent was to interfere with what she called a 'dumping syndrome' where I would have one day every week where my gut would basically empty itself in a relatively short amount of time-- like 8 bms in a 2 hour period. It was inconvenient, made me nauseated and fatigued--sometimes there was no choice but to take Imodium and an anti-spasmodic and come home, lay down and wait for the meds to work.
The Amitriptyline worked well and my motility became more consistent. However, in times of unusual stress, I was still having the same aggressive motility as a reaction to the stress. For example, my husband had a surgery for atrial fib in December and as you can imagine the day of his surgery and then 3 days later when he had to have an unexpected procedure for a pacemaker, my gut went bonkers. So-- when I'm in my routine with normal everyday stress I'm regular but out of my routine-- stressed, not sleeping well, etc. BOOM! the aggressive gut was back and I'd have an intestinal day from hell.
I saw my GI doc on Thursday March 14th and told her I really needed her help brainstorming a way to interfere with this. I'm doing acupuncture, relaxation and breathing exercises but I can not head this off. She told me that "in times of stress" I should try adding another 5 mg (1/2 tab) of Amitriptyline at night. This was particularly timely because on March 20 my husband was scheduled to have an ablation at KU Med Center in Kansas City. Now I could put it to the test.
The result? Worked like a charm!!
I started the extra 1/2 tab 2 nights before we left for KC. I had no problems the day we traveled and he had pre-op appts. The day of the surgery, no problems (3 bms but they were spread hours apart). The day after the surgery and his dismissal later that day--no issues. I am stunned. I ate small amounts of my allergen free foods and I did well through the whole thing. I don't know how many people have these similar motility issues but I just wanted others to know--keep asking questions and keep fine tuning. I now have confidence that I'll be able to deal with major life stressors as they come up. It felt good to get back to being able to concentrate on what my husband needed rather than trying to plan what I was going to do when my gut goes bonkers. For the first time in a long time I was not worried about getting sick away from home.
Keep digging-- battle back.
Carol
What's your dose of elavil before you upped it? It works great on motility and nausea. Was a life saver for me too.
