nimdornn: amitriptyline / Elavil withdrawals

[nimdornn]

i understand what you are saying and i appreciate it greatly. I am starting to think that i DO NOT want to be off this drug anymore since i am in physical pain again. Pain was the reason i started taking this.

[ChessieCat]

SA thinks in terms of lowest effective dose.  Doctors think in terms of therapeutic dose, which an arbitrary dose decided on by the pharmaceutical companies.

 

If you decide to stay on the drug because it gives you pain relief then it is better to be on the lowest effective dose.  It would be less of a drug burden on your body.

 

You stated that you were on it for pain relief but I don't think you stated why you decided to come off the drug.

[ChessieCat]

Just now, ChessieCat said:

If you decide to stay on the drug because it gives you pain relief then it is better to be on the lowest effective dose.  It would be less of a drug burden on your body.

 

You might find that 1mg or 2mg is all that you need for pain relief.  That would be much better for you than being on a higher dose.

[nimdornn]

Just now, ChessieCat said:

SA thinks in terms of lowest effective dose.  Doctors think in terms of therapeutic dose, which an arbitrary dose decided on by the pharmaceutical companies.

 

If you decide to stay on the drug because it gives you pain relief then it is better to be on the lowest effective dose.  It would be less of a drug burden on your body.

 

You stated that you were on it for pain relief but I don't think you stated why you decided to come off the drug.

I wanted to come off of it because i didnt like the idea of taking a drug daily. thats literally it.

[Dejavu]

You can always make that determination later. Job One is to get you stable. In my experience, and the experience of many, many others on this forum, reinstatement of a high dose is not the way to do that. You would start small, evaluate, add more if necessary, and wait to stabilize. We are trying to give you the benefit of our collective experience. But the decision is ultimately yours. If you decide on a small reinstatement, we can help you with reducing your 5mg pill to a smaller dosage.

[nimdornn]

Just now, ChessieCat said:

 

You might find that 1mg or 2mg is all that you need for pain relief.  That would be much better for you than being on a higher dose.

yea youre right that makes sense.

[nimdornn]

Just now, Dejavu said:

You can always make that determination later. Job One is to get you stable. In my experience, and the experience of many, many others on this forum, reinstatement of a high dose is not the way to do that. You would start small, evaluate, add more if necessary, and wait to stabilize. We are trying to give you the benefit of our collective experience. But the decision is ultimately yours. If you decide on a small reinstatement, we can help you with reducing your 5mg pill to a smaller dosage.

maybe i can try 2.5 mg for awhile?

[ChessieCat]

1 minute ago, Dejavu said:

You can always make that determination later. Job One is to get you stable.

 

I was typing a similar response when the replies came through.

 

It's important to understand that at the moment you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms, so that is the priority at this time.

[nimdornn]

Just now, ChessieCat said:

 

I was typing a similar response when the replies came through.

 

It's important to understand that at the moment you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms, so that is the priority at this time.

but it is not nearly as bad as before, i just cant eat or ill get all anxious or think its making the pain worse.

[ChessieCat]

1 minute ago, nimdornn said:

maybe i can try 2.5 mg for awhile?

 

You've been off for 2 months.  We are urging you to be cautious for a very good reason.

 

On 10/9/2012 at 10:17 AM, Altostrata said:

 

Avoid kindling, start low to see what you need. You can always increase if necessary. If you've been off the drug for a month or more, many people can find some relief from withdrawal symptoms by reinstating as little as 0.5mg-1mg for 20mg citalopram, for example. Do not start at a high dose, your nervous system may be sensitized by withdrawal and you may your symptoms much worse, which is called kindling.  See below.

 

 

On 10/9/2012 at 10:17 AM, Altostrata said:

 

Reinstating at a low dose reduces the risk of severe adverse reactions, such as kindling.

• Experiencing withdrawal may have sensitized you to drugs and a larger dose may cause an outsized adverse reaction.

 

 

[nimdornn]

2 minutes ago, ChessieCat said:

 

You've been off for 2 months.  We are urging you to be cautious for a very good reason.

 

 

 

I understand that, but the pain isnt a withdrawal symptom, since i had pain before this the only withdrawal is the anxiety.

[Dejavu]

It may not be all that bad right now. But withdrawal is often tardive in nature, meaning it can be delayed. I would like you to consider the case of one of our most beloved members, Rosetta, who has been suffering from withdrawal from a too-fast taper for years. By the time she found her way to SA, it was too late for her to reinstate. Here is her advice:

 

 If a moderator suggests that you reinstate, please read the horror stories of those of us who did not have that chance before you decide that you "do not want to go "backwards."" 

 

I couldn't say it any better. The choice is yours, of course. I just want you to have a full picture of what could happen before you make your decision.

[ChessieCat]

Yes, we realise that the pain isn't a withdrawal symptom.

 

But you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms and taking too much Elavil might make things worse for you.

 

If you took too high a dose and it made things worse you might be having to deal with the too high drug problem AND the pain.

 

It takes about 4 days for a dose to get to full level in the blood and a bit longer for it to register in the brain.  If you felt NO improvement in the withdrawal symptoms after 4 days you could increase by a small amount.

[nimdornn]

2 minutes ago, Dejavu said:

It may not be all that bad right now. But withdrawal is often tardive in nature, meaning it can be delayed. I would like you to consider the case of one of our most beloved members, Rosetta, who has been suffering from withdrawal from a too-fast taper for years. By the time she found her way to SA, it was too late for her to reinstate. Here is her advice:

 

 If a moderator suggests that you reinstate, please read the horror stories of those of us who did not have that chance before you decide that you "do not want to go "backwards."" 

 

I couldn't say it any better. The choice is yours, of course. I just want you to have a full picture of what could happen before you make your decision.

right but it started off horrible and has been getting better dramatically since..

[Dejavu]

You will have to make your decision based on what you think is best for you. Let us know if we can help you divide that dose.

[nimdornn]

Just now, Dejavu said:

You will have to make your decision based on what you think is best for you. Let us know if we can help you divide that dose.

id love to know how to divide my dose by weight.

[ChessieCat]

  

5 minutes ago, nimdornn said:

right but it started off horrible and has been getting better dramatically since..

 

But your nervous system may still have been sensitised by withdrawal and taking too much drug to start with might make things worse.

 

[nimdornn]

Just now, ChessieCat said:

  

 

But your nervous system may still have been sensitised by withdrawal and taking too much drug to start with might make things worse.

 

okay i will try that, taking a much lower dose first then mqybe i could work my way up.

[Dejavu]

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/2021-how-to-cut-up-tablets-or-pills-using-a-pill-cutter/

 

Here is a link explaining how to cut tablets. I will also send info on liquid titration, which is the method I use.

[nimdornn]

5 minutes ago, Dejavu said:

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/2021-how-to-cut-up-tablets-or-pills-using-a-pill-cutter/

 

Here is a link explaining how to cut tablets. I will also send info on liquid titration, which is the method I use.

so if were going to condiser this a could turkey would it be a 25 mg could turkey or a 5 mg.

[nimdornn]

also, if they want to put me on another drug would i be hypersensitive to that one too or just the one that i was on?

[ChessieCat]

28 minutes ago, Dejavu said:

info on liquid titration

 

  

On 8/16/2011 at 12:20 PM, Altostrata said:

Making a Liquid Solution of Amitriptyline

 

In the past it was believed that a liquid preparation of Amitriptyline could be made simply by dissolving the tablets in a specific volume of water. It has since been discovered that Amitriptyline is only sparingly soluble in water. This will lead to the possibility of the dose of water-based liquid being much smaller than is required. However, if you are having success using this method there is no need to change, but for people just starting a liquid taper of Amitriptyline there is a better way.

 

It turns out that Amitriptyline is very soluble (25mgai/1mL) in ethanol, or as most people know it vodka. Once the Amitriptyline is dissolved in the vodka it can then be added to water to make up a workable volume. However, according to the manufacturer, this new liquid will only be usable for the day it is made.

 

To create 10mL of the new liquid: measure out 1mL of vodka into a container and add one entire crushed tablet up to 25mgai in strength. For larger tablets double the amounts for each 25mgai that is used. So a 50mgai tablet uses 2mL and a 100mgai tablet uses 4mL. In the next step increase the water in the same manner. Mix this up and let it stand for an hour, shaking occasionally. Do not worry about any sediment, that is just filler and does not count. Then add 9mL (18mL, 36mL) of water to the vodka to make the final liquid solution. This will yield 10mL (20mL, 40mL) of solution that will have the strength of the original tablet so you can calculate the volume of your dose from there

 

[ChessieCat]

6 minutes ago, nimdornn said:

also, if they want to put me on another drug would i be hypersensitive to that one too or just the one that i was on?

 

Yes, you could possibly be sensitive to any drug or supplement because of the drug withdrawal from Elavil.

[Dejavu]

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/7562-about-reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-reduce-withdrawal-symptoms/

 Thought you could use this link, too.

 

There are very good You Tube videos demonstrating both liquid titration and pill cutting methods. Let us know what you decide.

 

[ChessieCat]

18 minutes ago, nimdornn said:

also, if they want to put me on another drug would i be hypersensitive to that one too or just the one that i was on?

 

If you decide to take a different drug and things get worse we will not be able to assist you.  It will be your doctor's responsibility.

 

SA is a site for tapering/reducing psychiatric drugs and the stafff are unpaid/volunteers.  We are happy to assist you with reinstating Elavil if that is what you decide to do.

[nimdornn]

1 minute ago, ChessieCat said:

 

If you decide to take a different drug and things get worse we will not be able to assist you.  It will be your doctor's responsibility.

 

SA is a site for tapering/reducing psychiatric drugs and the stafff are unpaid/volunteers.  We are happy to assist you with reinstating Elavil if that is what you decide to do.

yea that is what i want to do, earliest i could get it again is friday though.

[ChessieCat]

53 minutes ago, nimdornn said:

earliest i could get it again is friday though.

 

If you go to the hospital and explained that you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms from stopping Elavil they might be able to provide you with a prescription.

 

And any doctor can prescribe a drug.  It's better if you reinstate as soon as you can.

[nimdornn]

4 minutes ago, ChessieCat said:

 

If you go to the hospital and explained that you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms from stopping Elavil they might be able to provide you with a prescription.

 

And any doctor can prescribe a drug.  It's better if you reinstate as soon as you can.

okay i will, but as i asked earlier, would you consider this a ct from 25 mg or 5mg i was feeling absolutely horrible on 5mg as well, way worse than how i feel now.

[ChessieCat]

I assume that you are still trying to work out what dose you should reinstate.  It doesn't matter whether it is called a cold turkey or a fast taper and it doesn't matter what dose you would say it was off. 

 

Dejavu and I have assessed your drug history and suggested what dose would be best to reinstate.  Explanations about why a very low dose is suggested have also been given.

 

As Dejavu said, it is your decision what dose you decide to reinstate.  However, if a higher dose than what we suggested makes you feel worse you will just have to ride it out.  There will be no "quick fix" or "magic pill" to make things better.

[nimdornn]

9 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

I assume that you are still trying to work out what dose you should reinstate.  It doesn't matter whether it is called a cold turkey or a fast taper and it doesn't matter what dose you would say it was off. 

 

Dejavu and I have assessed your drug history and suggested what dose would be best to reinstate.  Explanations about why a very low dose is suggested have also been given.

 

As Dejavu said, it is your decision what dose you decide to reinstate.  However, if a higher dose than what we suggested makes you feel worse you will just have to ride it out.  There will be no "quick fix" or "magic pill" to make things better.

i think 2.5 would be best for me. Dejavu said 2 so.

[Altostrata]

Hello, nimdornn. 2.5mg amitriptyline is reasonable for reinstatement. You may be surprised at the effect (hopefully, positive). You can always increase it later.

 

You're not seeing many topics about amitriptyline because it's not prescribed very often.

 

On 8/28/2020 at 10:00 AM, nimdornn said:

I started taking the prilosec, I had another doctors app, and we decided that all these new things sound like GI issues, I am also seeing a GI specialist and doing a few test with them. the prilosec will only be taken for 2 weeks as a way to help diagnose a problem. Thank you for replying, I do really think the pain is worse from GI symptoms, I have always had stomach problems and now they are getting out of hand.

 

Unprecedented symptoms occurring after a drug change are far more likely to be a result of the drug change than a new health condition. Few doctors seem to understand this basic principle of pharmacobiology. There's something about psychiatric drugs that erases common sense.

 

Not being able to eat because of a tight feeling in the throat and stomach is a common withdrawal symptom. We have many people here experiencing this. I experienced it myself.

 

14 hours ago, nimdornn said:

but it is not nearly as bad as before, i just cant eat or ill get all anxious or think its making the pain worse.

 

Typically, antidepressant withdrawal has an acute phase, then acute symptoms fade and mutate into other symptoms that are no less debilitating and can last for many months. If reinstatement works, you will be alleviating this. Please let us know how you're doing.

 

PS As requested several times, please put the month and year of when you started Elavil in your signature.

[nimdornn]

58 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

Hello, nimdornn. 2.5mg amitriptyline is reasonable for reinstatement. You may be surprised at the effect (hopefully, positive). You can always increase it later.

 

You're not seeing many topics about amitriptyline because it's not prescribed very often.

 

 

Unprecedented symptoms occurring after a drug change are far more likely to be a result of the drug change than a new health condition. Few doctors seem to understand this basic principle of pharmacobiology. There's something about psychiatric drugs that erases common sense.

 

Not being able to eat because of a tight feeling in the throat and stomach is a common withdrawal symptom. We have many people here experiencing this. I experienced it myself.

 

 

Typically, antidepressant withdrawal has an acute phase, then acute symptoms fade and mutate into other symptoms that are no less debilitating and can last for many months. If reinstatement works, you will be alleviating this. Please let us know how you're doing.

 

PS As requested several times, please put the month and year of when you started Elavil in your signature.

ive told you guys many times i have no idea when i started, ive tried and tried to and looked to see when i have no accurate guess, im sorry. i can only really say i was on it from 7 to 10 months. Also, if you look in my sig, it says i startd taking it around december of 2019.

[Altostrata]

Please put month and year for "Started elavil about a year ago". Do you mean August 2019?

[nimdornn]

12 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

Please put month and year for "Started elavil about a year ago". Do you mean August 2019?

read the rest of the bio it says in the botton "Started taking it around december of 2019"

[nimdornn]

also, lets say i take it and it makes me feel very bad, then would i just stop taking it and continue to beat the withdrawals through time? because i want to be clear, I have gotten significantly better, like way way way way better, only about once a week now do i have a very hard day compared to the whole week when this started, everything has steadily been going up hill since i got off the 5mg, even when i was taking 5mg i felt horrible and much better when i stopped so, just a question. Thanks again for your time and everything you do for people alto.

[Altostrata]

Do what you can to make offering this free, volunteer support (that is nonetheless very complicated and difficult) easier for us and resolve ambiguities in your signature, please.

 

2 minutes ago, nimdornn said:

also, lets say i take it and it makes me feel very bad, then would i just stop taking it and continue to beat the withdrawals through time?

 

Probably.