Switching to Nortriptyline from Amitriptyline

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carolm
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Switching to Nortriptyline from Amitriptyline

Post by carolm »

Hi All, It might be premature for me to report in but last Friday evening I started 10mg of Nortriptyline and discontinued the Amitriptyline, after being inspired by a few of you here that have done the same thing.

I can say I do feel less drugged in the morning. One thing that is definitely different is that I no longer have nausea when Norman shows up-- this is a pleasant surprise. I've had less cramping--which is probably why I have no nausea at bathroom time. I am still concerned as to whether it will control my motility the way Amitriptyline did, but time will tell.

It's one experiment after another, isn't it.... but I can honestly say I've generally come out ahead for trying. :smile:

How are some of the rest of you doing?

Carol
“.... people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
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Post by Polly »

Carol,

Thanks for the update. Sounds promising.

Polly
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Post by carolm »

It's kinda interesting. I realize with Amitriptyline I felt a tension all over. I'm not feeling that now. But my appetite--GAH! through the roof and I really don't need to gain any more weight. I'd say I have more energy but in truth I'm just not as sedated.

Before I poisoned myself with alpha-tocopherols in my Omega 3 supplement, I was doing well enough that i wondered if I needed Amitriptyline at all. Then for about a 3 week period (when I posted about how I ached all over but hadn't caught on that I was getting soy) I was back to that old pattern of C then one day of 'gutting emptying' with 7-9 BMs in 2 hours. So I think I can see a parallel between inflammation and that pattern. It stands to reason that dysmotility could be caused by inflammation. Certainly an inflamed gut probably can't move correctly. I did not have it last week or this week (so far). I'm not having C and that may be key to preventing that pattern. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Oddly, I feel less anxious on Nortriptyline.

Still it's early. Thanks for checking in Polly.

Carol
“.... people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
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wmonique2
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switching to nortrip...

Post by wmonique2 »

Carol,

How are you feeling on it now? I eliminated elavil last week. I gained 5 lbs on it and hated feeling hungry all the time. LDN takes care of nausea, D, mast cell...pretty much everything...

Monique
Diagnosed 2011 with LC. Currently on Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN)
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carolm
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Post by carolm »

Hi Monique,
I'm sorry I didn't see your post until now. I've had a good week in that I've felt steadily good all week. Had to take 1 Imodium yesterday afternoon as I had a bout of cramping and frequent BMs but it settled right down.

This probably makes no sense but instead of taking 10 mg Amitriptyline I started taking 5mg. Then earlier this week I knew I was going to have a couple of stressful meetings coming up in the morning so I decided to take 5mg earlier in the evening (like 7pm) then about 10pm I took another 5mg. I didn't feel drugged in the morning and my gut was well behaved so I tried that again the next night-- like I said I had a good week LC wise. I'm kinda in 'whatever works' mode, even though I can't find a logical reason why dosing this way would work better.

I considered trying LDN like you, but am not sure I'm needing it at this point. Of course, it's pretty seductive to think "but if I could feel even better.....".

Sounds like you are doing well. I'm hoping Lesley will report in on her progress. If anyone needs a break (besides Joe) it's Lesley.

take care-- keep in touch
Carol
“.... people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
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Post by Zizzle »

Monique,
Your autosignature says you still take mesalamine and Allegra...
1987 Mononucleosis (EBV)
2004 Hypomyopathic Dermatomyositis
2009 Lymphocytic Colitis
2010 GF/DF/SF Diet
2014 Low Dose Naltrexone
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wmonique2
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switching to nortrip...

Post by wmonique2 »

Carol,

Well, that's an interesting strategy you have with elavil. I was drugged from it everyday I could hardly function in the morning. I never thought about cutting in half 10 mg...but as you said, whatever works.

I am doing really, really good on LDN. I am dealing with some C (which I never had before) but someone suggested magnesium citrate so I am going to start taking it. Frankly, I never thought I could feel this way EVER again. It's like I don't have anything. I have energy, clarity of mind, no nausea, no body aches, pretty much nothing.

I feel that I could eat anything but I don't. I continue with my plan because I want remission and no meds. I wish all of us were on it or at least tried it. And I wish I had done it 3 years ago, Carol. It would have saved me a lot of grief, desperation and depression. At one point I was suicidal. I hope to never return to those days again.


Z. thanks! I have to change that!


Monique
Diagnosed 2011 with LC. Currently on Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN)
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Post by Lesley »

I was back to that old pattern of C then one day of 'gutting emptying' with 7-9 BMs in 2 hours.
That is exactly how I have been for over 2 years, after I cut out everything. It hasn't changed.

Nortryptiline - I am titrating down from 100 mgs. I am pouring out some from the capsule every night. Another few days and I will be at 50 mgs.

Monique - I so hope for you that you reach that remission without meds!
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wmonique2
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Switching to nortrip...

Post by wmonique2 »

Lesley,

I certainly hope that you find some relief too, Lesley. I totally eliminated amitriptyline...but I was taking only 10mg so it wasn't difficult to cut it out entirely and at once.

Monique
Diagnosed 2011 with LC. Currently on Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN)
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