Amitriptyline Questions
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Amitriptyline Questions
Hi, I have been D free now for about 18 months. Just before I became symptom free it was a very desperate time for me and I made a lot of changes to my diet, drugs and lifestyle all at once. Slowly, I have tried adding things back and none of them have trigger my MC. Well, one of my triggers was Cymbalta. I went on a very low dose again recently as I am suffering from frozen shoulder and other shoulder issues, and am using it to stop the nerve pain. It worked so well at a that, but two weeks in and the mc D started. I immediately stopped and I am one week off of it. My doctor has me now on Amitriptyline instead. The d was really bad for two days then on day three I started ami. Now I seem to be plateaued. I have D 3-4 times per day but it's the typical mc D. Will it just take longer for this to pass than it did the first time I went off Cymbalta, or could the Amitriptyline be the problem too? Everything I find online was ami is good for ibs, gut issues etc, I cannot find any litature saying it can cause MC. Help please. I need something for the pain since I cannot take NSAIDs nor codeine. Everything that seems to work for pain makes me sh&it!!!!
Stephanie
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
My first question, are you taking brand name product or generic for the medication? In both cases, have you checked the inactive ingredients of the medication??
Second question? Are you taking Vit D3 and magnesium?? Both of these will help with inflammation and to reduce pain.
Second question? Are you taking Vit D3 and magnesium?? Both of these will help with inflammation and to reduce pain.
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Stephanie,
If you do a search of the archives you will find that we have many members who blame their MC on amitriptyline. A few here have successfully used very low doses of amitriptyline to stabilize their motility (these are usually patients who sometimes have constipation as a symptom). But the doses they use are very low (10 mg), not the higher doses normally used for therapeutic effect. The higher doses are more likely to cause D than to resolve it.
And please remember that higher doses of amitriptyline tend to be very addictive. We have several members who have discovered that they are unable to stop using it because of the severe side effects that result from trying to wean off the drug.
The safe analgesic options for MC patients include acetaminophen and tramadol. Some patients have found that topically-applied NSAIDs can be effectively used on inflamed areas, while others say that they do not seem to help. Note that virtually all of us are magnesium deficient and magnesium deficiency can cause pain. As Gabes suggested, many patients find that taking at least the RDA of a good (safe) magnesium supplement, or using a topical magnesium oil or lotion on the affected area, can be very helpful for relieving pain.
Tex
If you do a search of the archives you will find that we have many members who blame their MC on amitriptyline. A few here have successfully used very low doses of amitriptyline to stabilize their motility (these are usually patients who sometimes have constipation as a symptom). But the doses they use are very low (10 mg), not the higher doses normally used for therapeutic effect. The higher doses are more likely to cause D than to resolve it.
And please remember that higher doses of amitriptyline tend to be very addictive. We have several members who have discovered that they are unable to stop using it because of the severe side effects that result from trying to wean off the drug.
The safe analgesic options for MC patients include acetaminophen and tramadol. Some patients have found that topically-applied NSAIDs can be effectively used on inflamed areas, while others say that they do not seem to help. Note that virtually all of us are magnesium deficient and magnesium deficiency can cause pain. As Gabes suggested, many patients find that taking at least the RDA of a good (safe) magnesium supplement, or using a topical magnesium oil or lotion on the affected area, can be very helpful for relieving pain.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Thank you both. I do take magnesium and vit D daily. I am on a low does of ami (20 mg) but Tylenol or even tramacet don't really help nerve pain at all. Cymbalta did such a great job at the pain :-(
Has anyone tried Lyrica or Gabapentan for pain with Mc? I think when I see my doc on Tuesday I may just tell her I'm up for living with the pain as the only other option we are left with are narcotics and I'd rather not go that route. I'm going to stick out the ami until Tuesday and see if the D is still from the Cymbalta use and is improving slowly or if by Tuesday it is worse I'll stop. Thanks again.
Has anyone tried Lyrica or Gabapentan for pain with Mc? I think when I see my doc on Tuesday I may just tell her I'm up for living with the pain as the only other option we are left with are narcotics and I'd rather not go that route. I'm going to stick out the ami until Tuesday and see if the D is still from the Cymbalta use and is improving slowly or if by Tuesday it is worse I'll stop. Thanks again.
Stephanie
HI Stephanie,
I would check my VitD levels then once I know them decide if I am at a good level somewhere between 50-80 may work, and if those levels aren't there up my VitD3 to a healthy amount such as 10,000 ui for a few months and re-test. In combination with this regimen I would topically apply mag oil as often as I could and soak in Epsom salt baths daily or as often is reasonable for your life. Mega doses of Mag seem to be the clincher for us. Another option which is new to me but I am seeing results is a product called Re-Mag liquid magnesium https://www.rnareset.com/products/remag ... 3899661319, I've just had an almost 3 month flare and this change in my daily routine I believe is starting to help things even more.
As far as pain, the baths with Epsom salts (up to 2 cups diluted in it for 20 minutes) will help even if they are intermittent pain free moments. Gradually nerve pain ought to respond to the mag and Vit regimen, but it may duel with the bathroom D on what it wants to focus on to heal first.
Hugs
Erica
I would check my VitD levels then once I know them decide if I am at a good level somewhere between 50-80 may work, and if those levels aren't there up my VitD3 to a healthy amount such as 10,000 ui for a few months and re-test. In combination with this regimen I would topically apply mag oil as often as I could and soak in Epsom salt baths daily or as often is reasonable for your life. Mega doses of Mag seem to be the clincher for us. Another option which is new to me but I am seeing results is a product called Re-Mag liquid magnesium https://www.rnareset.com/products/remag ... 3899661319, I've just had an almost 3 month flare and this change in my daily routine I believe is starting to help things even more.
As far as pain, the baths with Epsom salts (up to 2 cups diluted in it for 20 minutes) will help even if they are intermittent pain free moments. Gradually nerve pain ought to respond to the mag and Vit regimen, but it may duel with the bathroom D on what it wants to focus on to heal first.
Hugs
Erica
To Succeed you have to Believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a Reality - Anita Roddick
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
A safer long term option for the pain management would be things like acupuncture, and meditation.
there are loads of breathing, relaxation, guided meditation resources available (some are free)
All medications have risks, side effects, and will deplete key nutrients like magnesium.
I was given a script for lyrica when i had chronic fibromyalgia, once I read the forums and how many people had issues with it, i never got the script filled,
once i resolved the magnesium deficiency and my methylation cycle, i have minimal fibromyalgia symptoms
there are loads of breathing, relaxation, guided meditation resources available (some are free)
All medications have risks, side effects, and will deplete key nutrients like magnesium.
I was given a script for lyrica when i had chronic fibromyalgia, once I read the forums and how many people had issues with it, i never got the script filled,
once i resolved the magnesium deficiency and my methylation cycle, i have minimal fibromyalgia symptoms
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Ok, so I'm coming off he Amitriptyline now. Doctor has given me Gabapentin to try once I'm fully off the ami but I'm on the fence. Yesterday I also started glucosamine and MSM to help the joint pain. The D was gone two days ago and yesterday but now today the crazy stomach gurgling and d is back full force. only change I have made is adding the glucosamine and MSM (it is a gluten free, dairy free, soy free brand). Could it have triggered it or is the mc just running its course? Any thoughts would be appreciated. It just seems whenever I find something that might help my pain I get D again. I just need to be cut a little slack.,
(Oh and Gabes, all the meds are brand names and my pharmastist is amazing and triple checks everything he give me!!!)
(Oh and Gabes, all the meds are brand names and my pharmastist is amazing and triple checks everything he give me!!!)
Stephanie
Stephanie,
It could be either the glucosamine or an MC reaction for no obvious reason. Especially while we are still healing, sometimes we react to things that should be safe according to the label, but they contain something that our immune system doesn't like. And when we are recovering, we sometimes have flares/setbacks for reasons that wouldn't cause any problem after we have been in stable remission for a while. Sometimes our immune system is just ultrasensitive for no obvious reason.
Tex
It could be either the glucosamine or an MC reaction for no obvious reason. Especially while we are still healing, sometimes we react to things that should be safe according to the label, but they contain something that our immune system doesn't like. And when we are recovering, we sometimes have flares/setbacks for reasons that wouldn't cause any problem after we have been in stable remission for a while. Sometimes our immune system is just ultrasensitive for no obvious reason.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.