Guest guest Posted June 10, 1999 Report Share Posted June 10, 1999 Hi stacey- I have been on Elavil for about 2 months. i started out at 10 mg and worked my way up to 50 mg. I'll start taking 75 mg nightly tonight. I have been lucky because I have not experienced many side effects. I dont get constipation, and I am even taking Citracal which also causes constipation. This is probably because I constantly have diarrea, but anyways I do get tired for the first few days after increasing my dose, but this dies off after a few days. I do think that it has taken the edge off of my pain. I have done quite a bit of research, and from my understanding, Elavil is the most effective for women who experience nerve type pain. These are women who don't have any physical signs such as redness or swelling and have burning pain all over their vulva and in places such as their rectum, upper legs, or clitoris. Every time I increase my dose I get a little more pain relief. However, I am also following the low oxalate diet with Citracal, and I have seen improvements from this too. I would say to give the Elavil a shot--I don't know how much 25 mg will help, buit anything that gives relief should be tried. Also of note...one of the most common side effects ofNizoral is lack of sexual functioning. I think that Elavil may do this to me too, but i'm not sure just yet. The SSRI's more commonly do this than the tri cyclics. Christy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 10, 1999 Report Share Posted June 10, 1999 In a message dated 6/10/99 12:20:03 PM Eastern Daylight Time, smp@... writes: << y doc suggested that I begin taking Elavil, 25 mg, as needed for pain. Has anyone ever tried this? I'm not supposed to take it every day, as I am very sensitive to almost all medications, and also I was concerned about the side effects (weight gain, sexual dysfunction, etc). Can anyone tell me if this works? Also, I 'm on Nizoral s >> , Elavil does help a lot of people but not everyone. Usually the higher the dosage the more chance you have of having some of the side effects. Elavil is not supposed to be used as a pain pill, it's supposed to be used daily. My doctor told me ( I am taking Doxepin, which is a similar antidepressant) to increase the dosage by 10mil. if I am having a flare, and to stay on that dosage for at least 4 days and then work my way back down to 75mil. Twenty-five mil. of Elavil is not considered a very high dose at all so you may get relief without many side effects. No one can really tell you if Elavil works because we are all different, and what works for some may not work for others. Unfortunately all medications have the potential of some side effects. Maybe you could try it and see if it helps you. Darlene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 10, 1999 Report Share Posted June 10, 1999 Hi Stacey, I have taken 30mg of Elavil every night (three 10s) for a couple of years now. I have gained 15 pounds (all in the stomach and breasts) and I do feel generally tired most of the time. I think it has taken the edge off of my Interstitial Cystitis but not V. I don't want to increase the amount and may try to discontinue it slowly to see what happens. There is a woman in my support group here in Seattle who takes 100mgs! She says she is fine with that much. Everyone is different so you may want to give it a try. I think it's a fairly safe drug as drugs go. Good luck, Donna SMP wrote: > > > > Hi everyone: > My doc suggested that I begin taking Elavil, 25 mg, as needed for > pain. Has anyone ever tried this? I'm not supposed to take it every > day, as I am very sensitive to almost all medications, and also I was > concerned about the side effects (weight gain, sexual dysfunction, > etc). Can anyone tell me if this works? Also, I 'm on Nizoral still, > and I don't want to mask the true effects (if any) of this medication. > > Stacey > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Give back to your community through " Grow to Give. " > http://www.onelist.com > Deadline is June 19. See homepage for details. > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 10, 1999 Report Share Posted June 10, 1999 Regarding ability to climax.... > I haven't specifically seen where Elavil lowers the libido or > ability to climax, but interestingly enough I was just reading that > Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft DEFINITELY do. Here is a great webpage that has tons of information about Elavil: http://www.fairlite.com/ocd/medications/elavil.shtml This site does indicate that Elavil (amitriptyline) can cause increased or decreased libido and impotence. I would assume that ability to climax would fall under that category. I wanted to say, too, that all antidepressants have side effects that may or may not impact our sex drive. That does not mean that you will definitely have this side effect affect you. For example, I took Prozac for years and had NO sexual side effects. When I switched to Effexor, I completely lost my ability to have an orgasm for several weeks. Luckily, the ability came back but it still takes me much longer than it used to. So basically, Yes, Elavil could potentially hurt your libido and/or effect your ability to climax. However, there is no way to know if it WILL effect you unless you try the drug and see. Antidepressants effect everyone differently. Warmly, Heidi List manager http://www.angelfire.com/md/vulvardisorders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 12, 1999 Report Share Posted June 12, 1999 I havetaken it on an " as needed basis " (10 mg, in the evening three hours before going to bed, and it works. But most things work for me in a few hours. Ora > From: SheriMW@... > > I don't understand this. Elavil is a tricyclic antidepressant that builds up > in your system. It takes about three weeks to get its full effect. I take > 75 mg every night. It's not the type of medication that you can take as > needed. > > Sheri > > In a message dated 6/10/99 12:20:08 PM Eastern Daylight Time, smp@... > writes: > > << My doc suggested that I begin taking Elavil, 25 mg, as needed for > pain. Has anyone ever tried this? I'm not supposed to take it every > day, >> > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Congratulations to " INDIE-GRRL, " our latest ONElist of the Week. > http://www.onelist.com > Visit our homepage and share with us how ONElist is changing YOUR life! > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 2, 1999 Report Share Posted July 2, 1999 > > Last, but not least, I want to tell everyone to have a FUN, WONDERFUL, > and SAFE! 4th of July Holiday (to those of you in the USA). Hopefully > everyone will have good weather and beautiful fireworks. > > Warmly, > > Heidi Hi Heidi Just wanted to mention that my little dog (Sheltie mix)) always has a terrible time on the 4th of July. He cannot handle the fireworks. The vet gave me a tranquilizer for him one year but it had no effect. This year I am giving him elavil - 5 mg. every six hours. So far it is working fine. Just wanted to pass this along. Ora Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 11, 1999 Report Share Posted October 11, 1999 Hi Ann, I take a low dose (10 to 20mg./day) of Nortriptylene (similar to amitriptylene which is Elavil) for my bladder problems. If I don't take it, I feel a constant pressure on my bladder, and I feel like I always have to urinate. It also helps me with my urethra irritation. I was on a low dose of Elavil for vulvodynia, and then my urologist changed the prescription to Nortriptylene because she said it had fewer side effects. I still don't know why I'm having this bladder problem. I suppose it could be related to my Lichen Sclerosis, maybe? I had bladder problems about three years before I started having vulvodynia symptoms. Maybe it's all part of the same problem. I see the urologist again in a couple of weeks for a urodynamic evaluation. I guess they put a small tube into your bladder and one into your rectum and then I'm not sure what. My urologist said this would show if my problem is a sensory problem or a muscle problem. Before this evaluation, I have to not take my Nortriptylene for two days. I'm not very happy about that. I'm taking it with me to my appointment, and the second she's done I'm taking one or two. Has anyone else out there had a urodynamic evaluation? Take Care, McConkey ----- Original Message ----- > From: CAhouse5@... > > Question for the list....I have been on elavil (75mgs) for about a month--and > have been noticing that my urge to urinate is a lot less frequent. Is this > one of the side effects of elavil...and is it going to be harmful to the > bladder...? I am really drinking a lot of water for fear of a UTI--and it's > good to keep flushing the system with non-chlorinated water, but I am > concerned about the lack of urge to go. I have noticed the dry mouth and > the craving of sweets I was told are associated with the drug, but I am > concerned about the effects of it on my bladder. Has anyone else > experienced this? > Ann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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