Does anybody here take Elavil? I'd like your feedback!

[CTyankee]

I'm taking it for its off label usage for nerve pain relief. My question is: If I take it for the nerve pain does anyone who also does this have both pain relief and a pretty good mood? I ask because I have noticed that even during this trying time with Covid, I feel very good and relaxed. So it seems ideal to me.

Got some feedback for me, please?

[Mike 03]

1. My sister had very good results on Elavil.

This was back in the 90s, so the details aren't real fresh in my memory. She was prescribed it for sciatica pain, but she also suffered from depression (diagnosed later, not at the time). It is a tricyclic antidepressant? I think it's an old drug but it's still popular and effective. I don't know how long she was on it. She later went onto Celexa for the depression, but still has back pain.

EDIT:

Elavil is also known as Amitriptyline

Here's a little bit more:

Amitriptyline, sold under the brand name tryptomer among others, is a medicine primarily used to treat a number of mental illnesses.[3] These include major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders, and less commonly attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and bipolar disorder.[3][4] Other uses include prevention of migraines, treatment of neuropathic pain such as fibromyalgia and postherpetic neuralgia, and less commonly insomnia.[3][5] It is in the tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) class and its exact mechanism of action is unclear.[3] Amitriptyline is taken by mouth.[3]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amitriptyline

[Ziggysmom]

2. I took it years ago for migraines

I had trouble when I wanted to stop taking it; I felt very jittery and strange nerve tingling for days. It helped me but caused too much sedation. Have a friend who takes it for neuropathy with great results and has no side effects at all. She has an improved mood since she started it, we both noticed. I hope it helps you 🙂

[CTyankee]

4. I don't have migraines (thank goddess). My issue is primarily nerve pain (I had shingles).

The Elavil, plus my physical therapy, makes me feel well and optimistic. I'm taking much less of pain meds for my arthritic back and knee. I am tapering UP on Elavil and down on Pregabalin (which does nothing for my arthritis and for my mood).

My issue with both Elavil and Pregabalin has been weight gain. I am now in one size larger clothes. My thinking is that with a mood enhancer I won't CARE about the weight gain. Since I am 81 I really don't care about the size change, apart from the initial shock.

[LuvNewcastle]

3. I was prescribed it at one time, but it didn't seem to have

any effect on me as an antidepressant. I wasn't having any nerve pain back then, so I can't say if it was effective for that. I have nerve pain now and I take Gabapentin (Neurontin). It usually works for me, at least at the higher doses. I don't know if it would work for you, though. It might interact negatively with other drugs you're taking, or it might not be right for some other reason. Wouldn't be any harm in asking your doctor about it, though.

[CTyankee]

6. I will. Getting old is depressing, so having a lift in mood, even from a pill, is pretty good!

I sleep very well and feel good in the morning.

[Tech]

5. So glad you are finding something that works.

[CTyankee]

7. Thank you. It's so nice to have the company of DUers when we can't be with family at

Thanksgiving, like we did before Covid.