Discussion
Amitryptaline is an old fashioned anti-depressant, muscle relaxant, the old tablet they gave kids in the 70s and 80s to stop pissing the bed etc etc.
It's a very broad spectrum drug with very broad spectrum side effects. Drowsiness is definitely the main one - it was often used as a sort of sleep hypnotic to get people off to sleep in the evening (there are much newer, cleaner alternatives around now). Similarily, some GPs prescribe it for long term back ache - it helps relax the muscles for a start, but patients just stop caring that their back hurts a bit!
The dosage you've stated isn't massive, but you definitely don't want to go out drinking while on them. You'll probably sleep for a week. The half life of these drugs is huge, so it takes a few days to a week to clear your system entirely and that, mixed with a hangover, is going to make you into a zombie.
It's a very broad spectrum drug with very broad spectrum side effects. Drowsiness is definitely the main one - it was often used as a sort of sleep hypnotic to get people off to sleep in the evening (there are much newer, cleaner alternatives around now). Similarily, some GPs prescribe it for long term back ache - it helps relax the muscles for a start, but patients just stop caring that their back hurts a bit!
The dosage you've stated isn't massive, but you definitely don't want to go out drinking while on them. You'll probably sleep for a week. The half life of these drugs is huge, so it takes a few days to a week to clear your system entirely and that, mixed with a hangover, is going to make you into a zombie.
Amytryptyline worked for my pain associated with IBS, but it didn't treat the cause... The only way for me to control things is to cut out caffeine and Chinese food.
These causes were only found by trial and error, but by avoiding them I've been symptom free since June- apart from when I was desperate for a diet coke when it was hot so risked full caffeine coke - then spent several hours in pain and on the loo- won't be doing that again in a hurry!
Yes the amytryptyline did make me drowsy to start with and very spaced out- I didn't feel safe driving for 2-3 days, but then the symptoms wore off and I felt ok though it took 1-2 weeks for the pain to go. After a month I stopped it and now just keep a packet in store in case I get a flare up.
Hope it works for you
These causes were only found by trial and error, but by avoiding them I've been symptom free since June- apart from when I was desperate for a diet coke when it was hot so risked full caffeine coke - then spent several hours in pain and on the loo- won't be doing that again in a hurry!
Yes the amytryptyline did make me drowsy to start with and very spaced out- I didn't feel safe driving for 2-3 days, but then the symptoms wore off and I felt ok though it took 1-2 weeks for the pain to go. After a month I stopped it and now just keep a packet in store in case I get a flare up.
Hope it works for you
I have Crohns disease and one of the medications I take for the symptons is 100mg of Amytriptolene. It will make you very very drowsy and if you arent careful you can easily sleep for 16 hours, or at least I can! You do also become tolerant to it, hence why I guess they have started you on a relatively low dose. I take mine in the evening so that I know I wont need to drive on it, you would be very ill advised to drive after taking it.
At the moment Im taking 100mg of Pregbalin 3 times a day, Codyrdemol 3-4 times a day, Tramadol when required, all for the symptoms. One thing you might want to try is Buscopan, it is a very good muscle relaxant, I take quite a lot of that as well. I also take 300mg of Azathioprine and 4mg of Pentasa.
I may have muddled up some of the doses, at the moment I have been having a particularly bad flare up and have been off work for the last 3 weeks so am a bit hazy on the doses. I normally set up my medicines a week in advance in little tubs like old people use that way its hard to mess them up. I have accidentally overdosed on the tramadol before and it wasnt pleasant.
Oh, one other thing that the amytriptolene might make happen is that you could have very vivid dreams. Some people have it others dont. Ive had it occassionally, worst ones are waking up in the middle of the night thinking all my teeth have fallen down my throat and are choking me and another time thinking I was drowning under my duvet.
Funnier ones are thinking I was inside my fish tank or talking to my buddha statue and thinking it was talking to me.
The diet thing is something you will need to work out for yourself. I have had Crohns for 10 years and havent been able to find a dietry trigger, right when I think Ive found something I have another flare up and have to start looking again. I keep food diaries (and poo diaries!) but no joy.
The camera in the bum is actually not that bad. You are sedated for it and the sedative is pretty nice. Its like being pleasantly drunk but without the hangover. The rigid sigmisoid one is much more uncomfortable. Upper GI endoscopy is much worse, thats a camera down your throat. Last time I had that I vomitted all over the nurse. Also they tend to take a dim view of you making a jokes about women being genetically less susceptible to gag reflexes!
Biggest problem I have had with meds is when I was on a huge dose of prednisone steroids and it caused my bowel to weaken and rupture! That was particularly unpleasent. Ended up in hospital for a month and then got MRSA as well so was off work for 6 months. Funny things about that was 1, you have to give permission for them to operate even though if you dont then you will die and 2, while having the catheta removed, it got stuck and I suggested they suck it out meaning with a syringe but the 50 year old 20 stone nurse did not and got mightly offended.
Rambled well off topic sorry, just be careful of driving for the first week on the amytriptolene
At the moment Im taking 100mg of Pregbalin 3 times a day, Codyrdemol 3-4 times a day, Tramadol when required, all for the symptoms. One thing you might want to try is Buscopan, it is a very good muscle relaxant, I take quite a lot of that as well. I also take 300mg of Azathioprine and 4mg of Pentasa.
I may have muddled up some of the doses, at the moment I have been having a particularly bad flare up and have been off work for the last 3 weeks so am a bit hazy on the doses. I normally set up my medicines a week in advance in little tubs like old people use that way its hard to mess them up. I have accidentally overdosed on the tramadol before and it wasnt pleasant.
Oh, one other thing that the amytriptolene might make happen is that you could have very vivid dreams. Some people have it others dont. Ive had it occassionally, worst ones are waking up in the middle of the night thinking all my teeth have fallen down my throat and are choking me and another time thinking I was drowning under my duvet.
Funnier ones are thinking I was inside my fish tank or talking to my buddha statue and thinking it was talking to me.
The diet thing is something you will need to work out for yourself. I have had Crohns for 10 years and havent been able to find a dietry trigger, right when I think Ive found something I have another flare up and have to start looking again. I keep food diaries (and poo diaries!) but no joy.
The camera in the bum is actually not that bad. You are sedated for it and the sedative is pretty nice. Its like being pleasantly drunk but without the hangover. The rigid sigmisoid one is much more uncomfortable. Upper GI endoscopy is much worse, thats a camera down your throat. Last time I had that I vomitted all over the nurse. Also they tend to take a dim view of you making a jokes about women being genetically less susceptible to gag reflexes!
Biggest problem I have had with meds is when I was on a huge dose of prednisone steroids and it caused my bowel to weaken and rupture! That was particularly unpleasent. Ended up in hospital for a month and then got MRSA as well so was off work for 6 months. Funny things about that was 1, you have to give permission for them to operate even though if you dont then you will die and 2, while having the catheta removed, it got stuck and I suggested they suck it out meaning with a syringe but the 50 year old 20 stone nurse did not and got mightly offended.
Rambled well off topic sorry, just be careful of driving for the first week on the amytriptolene
Well. I didn't read this thread before going out, but I have been out all morning and driving was fine. The only thing I've found so far was that I set an alarm for 8am, got up and switched it off (didn't need to rush to get up today, just wanted an alarm) then next thing I know it's 9.30. Whoops! Didn't feel drowsy at all though once I had showered.
I still can't find anything in particular that's causing it. Yesterday I had a really good day, no trots, no pain, nothing, but as far as I can tell my diet was the same on monday as it normally is. Today, not so bad again, a little bit of pain but nothing terrible. Can't make any sense of it.
ETA to get back onto my account, not my older brother's........
I still can't find anything in particular that's causing it. Yesterday I had a really good day, no trots, no pain, nothing, but as far as I can tell my diet was the same on monday as it normally is. Today, not so bad again, a little bit of pain but nothing terrible. Can't make any sense of it.
ETA to get back onto my account, not my older brother's........
Ask your GP if you are unsure about whether to drink alcohol. 25mg is a low dose, just slightly higher than what I take. I can drink as much as I did before without any ill effects. I've never been a morning person but it certainly hasn't made things any worse. I believe the starting dose for depression is something like 150mg, so in comparison its very low.
If its anything like my situation and it works, then the GP may prescribe them indefinitely. So its worth asking the question about alcohol now, as there will obviously be times ahead where you want to drink, regardless of whether its every night or once a year.
Hope it sorts you out. I didn't have any of the pain associated with IBS so can't really comment as to its effectiveness in that respect, but its worked wonders for everything else.
If its anything like my situation and it works, then the GP may prescribe them indefinitely. So its worth asking the question about alcohol now, as there will obviously be times ahead where you want to drink, regardless of whether its every night or once a year.
Hope it sorts you out. I didn't have any of the pain associated with IBS so can't really comment as to its effectiveness in that respect, but its worked wonders for everything else.
Well, thought I'd bump an old topic and see if any fresh information crops up.
Now been on amitryptiline for about 4 months and things are going much better than they have in a long time. I have more good days than bad days now and my Christmas break home from uni was probably the healthiest I've felt in ages, even with all the rich food going about (something even pre-IBS always made me feel a little unwell). I still have the odd day where I'm not so great and I need to watch how much I'm drinking in the week because it can knock me off balance for days but so far so good.
I suppose the next step is for me to ask: how long till I try to come off it? In my head I want to wait a little longer (hence repeating my prescription for 3 more months in the week) but how long should I? Will this next lot be my last? Or should I keep going for a year or more? While I have no problem with it, I don't necessarily want to be on tablets forever.
Anyone got any advice? Any other pills or potions might be worth trying?
Now been on amitryptiline for about 4 months and things are going much better than they have in a long time. I have more good days than bad days now and my Christmas break home from uni was probably the healthiest I've felt in ages, even with all the rich food going about (something even pre-IBS always made me feel a little unwell). I still have the odd day where I'm not so great and I need to watch how much I'm drinking in the week because it can knock me off balance for days but so far so good.
I suppose the next step is for me to ask: how long till I try to come off it? In my head I want to wait a little longer (hence repeating my prescription for 3 more months in the week) but how long should I? Will this next lot be my last? Or should I keep going for a year or more? While I have no problem with it, I don't necessarily want to be on tablets forever.
Anyone got any advice? Any other pills or potions might be worth trying?
captainmatt said:
Well, thought I'd bump an old topic and see if any fresh information crops up.
Now been on amitryptiline for about 4 months and things are going much better than they have in a long time. I have more good days than bad days now and my Christmas break home from uni was probably the healthiest I've felt in ages, even with all the rich food going about (something even pre-IBS always made me feel a little unwell). I still have the odd day where I'm not so great and I need to watch how much I'm drinking in the week because it can knock me off balance for days but so far so good.
I suppose the next step is for me to ask: how long till I try to come off it? In my head I want to wait a little longer (hence repeating my prescription for 3 more months in the week) but how long should I? Will this next lot be my last? Or should I keep going for a year or more? While I have no problem with it, I don't necessarily want to be on tablets forever.
Anyone got any advice? Any other pills or potions might be worth trying?
Glad to hear they have worked!Now been on amitryptiline for about 4 months and things are going much better than they have in a long time. I have more good days than bad days now and my Christmas break home from uni was probably the healthiest I've felt in ages, even with all the rich food going about (something even pre-IBS always made me feel a little unwell). I still have the odd day where I'm not so great and I need to watch how much I'm drinking in the week because it can knock me off balance for days but so far so good.
I suppose the next step is for me to ask: how long till I try to come off it? In my head I want to wait a little longer (hence repeating my prescription for 3 more months in the week) but how long should I? Will this next lot be my last? Or should I keep going for a year or more? While I have no problem with it, I don't necessarily want to be on tablets forever.
Anyone got any advice? Any other pills or potions might be worth trying?
The problem with coming off it is that unless something dramatic has changed you will end up back where you started. It's not a drug that fixes the problem, it just helps manage it. I stopped accidently by forgetting to take them for 2 days, and soon knew about it!
Saying that, its probably worth giving it a go and stopping once - just so you know for sure.
I've just past the year mark taking them now, on a similar dosage to you (prescribed 20-30mg a day, I find that 20mg works 99% of the time and very occasionally need 30mg)
I've had no bad side effects from taking them really. If you take them right before bed they can leave you feeling a bit hazy the following morning, so I take them about 7pm and I'm fine the next day. Alcohol doesn't seem to effect things for me, it did initially but now I can have a few without any worries, almost like I've built up my tolerance a bit.
My doc was happy to prescribe them for life. He has no problem with me taking them at these levels, and there are certainly no dependency issues for me - I often forget to take them and need reminding by the wife!
I may start dropping the dose at some point, but at the moment they work and the benefits far outweigh any negative.
I have suffered with IBS D, I think is the nice way of putting it, for decades now and I visited my Doc about 2 months ago and he suggested that I look up the FODMAP diet.
It originated in Australia about 2 years ago and is a bit extreme but I gave it a go and it appears to work.
You have to cut out fructose, lactose and gluten so lots of fruits and veg are not allowed as well as processed meats like sausages, hamburgers etc.
It's going back to eating simple yet healthy food, boring I know and about the only fun I get these days.
I stuck to it for about a month, including no beer, wine or bread but clear spirits are allowed so many evenings of gin and crisps followed
but then I had to go abroad to work so I let a bit of the no no stuff back in but religiously stuck to no bread, milk or real ales and apart from the odd day, I seem much better and can even stomach working on live shows without getting the trots.
Saying that my resolve weakened today and I have just cooked myself a massive fry up with white bread and am already starting to feel crap.
Anyhow look up FODMAP and best of luck.
It originated in Australia about 2 years ago and is a bit extreme but I gave it a go and it appears to work.
You have to cut out fructose, lactose and gluten so lots of fruits and veg are not allowed as well as processed meats like sausages, hamburgers etc.
It's going back to eating simple yet healthy food, boring I know and about the only fun I get these days.
I stuck to it for about a month, including no beer, wine or bread but clear spirits are allowed so many evenings of gin and crisps followed
but then I had to go abroad to work so I let a bit of the no no stuff back in but religiously stuck to no bread, milk or real ales and apart from the odd day, I seem much better and can even stomach working on live shows without getting the trots. Saying that my resolve weakened today and I have just cooked myself a massive fry up with white bread and am already starting to feel crap.
Anyhow look up FODMAP and best of luck.
I'm hoping that's what I've got. Had the blood tests and first anal invasion by the quack, possibly worse as I wasn't expecting it and its the first time anything's been up my 'one way street'. Quite how anyone derives any pleasure from that I don't know, but would definitely be the Arthur of the relationship if I was that way inclined.
Off for the Kodak moment in the morning but have been surprised that my dodgy guts haven't reacted to the 10 x Senna tablets I took an hour ago. Normally, I'd be on the bog by now.
Symptoms similar to others without the pain but quite bloated guts. If its IBS, then has anyone used a nutritionist for help?
Off for the Kodak moment in the morning but have been surprised that my dodgy guts haven't reacted to the 10 x Senna tablets I took an hour ago. Normally, I'd be on the bog by now.
Symptoms similar to others without the pain but quite bloated guts. If its IBS, then has anyone used a nutritionist for help?
JCW said:
Symptoms similar to others without the pain but quite bloated guts. If its IBS, then has anyone used a nutritionist for help?
I've never had the pain, and I would be lying if I said I'd had the bloating - that's down to too much food and beer!You could try the nutritionist, but I'm not sure where they would start. Probably better getting a food intolerance test to see if there is anything you're allergic to. If that comes back clear then try experimenting by adding and removing certain food types to see if you can pinpoint anything which gives you a flare up.
I find eating plain stuff helps massively, and not over indulging. However, come the weekend my love for indian takeaway and beer takes over and it all goes to sh!t (excuse the pun). I guess I'm my own worst enemy in that respect.
In your situation I would do a colon cleanse using an oxygen based cleanser such as Colosan which can be found on the Finchley Clinic website (not affiliated in any way).
Follow it up with a high quality course of probiotics such as FiveLac (Finchley Clinic).
Get your doctor's advice before doing anything off your own bat, though.
Follow it up with a high quality course of probiotics such as FiveLac (Finchley Clinic).
Get your doctor's advice before doing anything off your own bat, though.
I get IBS symptoms occasionally & mine can be triggered by diet, others are travelling & stress.
I deffo avoid beer, both lager & bitter, lots of wine, especially red trigger mine. Bread is another, I seem to be better on Bagels for some reason than normal white bread. If I'm bad then I go on corn cakes for a while instead of the bread. I stopped taking milk in tea some while ago & that helps, although still eat lots of cheese. Oh and others have said caffeine is a no no. So decaf tea bags, don't drink coffee any more as don't like it without milk.
I deffo avoid beer, both lager & bitter, lots of wine, especially red trigger mine. Bread is another, I seem to be better on Bagels for some reason than normal white bread. If I'm bad then I go on corn cakes for a while instead of the bread. I stopped taking milk in tea some while ago & that helps, although still eat lots of cheese. Oh and others have said caffeine is a no no. So decaf tea bags, don't drink coffee any more as don't like it without milk.
I suffer from Ulcerative Colitis, and the colonoscopy prep makes me feel sick just thinking about it.
I’ve had so many anal probes over the last 10 years I have lost count lol, best way to take the prep for me was to sip it along with a glass of orange, once I tried downing it in one and it came back up about 30 seconds later.
The thing that finally brought my condition under control was regular infusions of infliximab, am still on the asacol and azathioprine but touch wood have been generally fine for the last 2 years.
I’ve had so many anal probes over the last 10 years I have lost count lol, best way to take the prep for me was to sip it along with a glass of orange, once I tried downing it in one and it came back up about 30 seconds later.
The thing that finally brought my condition under control was regular infusions of infliximab, am still on the asacol and azathioprine but touch wood have been generally fine for the last 2 years.
Edited by Windlepoons on Saturday 21st January 02:05
Windlepoons said:
I suffer from Ulcerative Colitis, and the colonoscopy prep makes me feel sick just thinking about it.
I’ve had so many anal probes over the last 10 years I have lost count lol, best way to take the prep for me was to sip it along with a glass of orange, once I tried downing it in one and it came back up about 30 seconds later.
The thing that finally brought my condition under control was regular infusions of infliximab, am still on the asacol and azathioprine but touch wood have been generally fine for the last 2 years.
I puked the prep drink up straight away too, if you phone the hospital and tell them they will probably send you the more expensive one that tastes fine, that's what I did. That vile orange one must be the cheapest sI’ve had so many anal probes over the last 10 years I have lost count lol, best way to take the prep for me was to sip it along with a glass of orange, once I tried downing it in one and it came back up about 30 seconds later.
The thing that finally brought my condition under control was regular infusions of infliximab, am still on the asacol and azathioprine but touch wood have been generally fine for the last 2 years.
Edited by Windlepoons on Saturday 21st January 02:05
t they can get, it's rank.I was down to 7 stone when I was first diagnosed, spent over a year of my life locked in the house because the doctor couldn't find what was wrong with me and I couldn't go out or else I'd risk s
tting myself 
bad times. I get looked after by a nice lady doctor at the hospital now 
Thread bumped...
So after being told I had IBS and taking the treatment...several weeks ago I started with the pain, exactly the same, in the same place, same type and intensity. This was followed by a bout of vomiting- I, not unreasonably, put this down to the reheated curry I had eaten for my lunch that day and went to bed.
The next day I had IBS type pain, similar in intensity to my very first bout 2 years ago when I initially saw my GP, this continued through the day. For some reason I didn't start my amytryptyline, thank gooodness I didn't, thinking I would just try and ride it out as I didn't want to be doped up for work the following week!
Didn't have any diarrhoea symptoms funnily enough was constipated, but felt that things might have been relieved if I had my usually IBS dash for the loo.
The next day pain persisted but as day went on I developed an increasing feeling of impending doom so much so that by late afternoon I'd made appointment via NHs direct to visit out of hours GP- at risk, I thought, of the usual ridicule of it being usual IBS. I visited GP many times in run up to diagnosis of IBS. After examination by Dr I collapsed in the worst pain I have ever experienced- worse than childbirth- was rushed to surgical ward and operated on the next day.
Ruptured appendix, full abdominal sepsis and peritonitis, full laparotomy, drains , morphine iv, the works + 2 weeks in hospital and prospect of 3 months off work
So as I have not experienced any symptoms of iBS since- eating all that I couldn't eat before- it seems my IBS may have been a grumbling appendix along ??? Unfortunately surgery was complicated due to rupture as I stayed at home thinking the pain was an exacerbation of my IBS, I didn't take my usual painkillers which may have masked the pain.
I'm sure this kind of story is rare-I don't want to scare anyone, I'm glad that the op seems to have 'cured' my IBS (watch this space), Oh and of course pretty much aware that this could of ended very differently so I'm glad to be alive!
So after being told I had IBS and taking the treatment...several weeks ago I started with the pain, exactly the same, in the same place, same type and intensity. This was followed by a bout of vomiting- I, not unreasonably, put this down to the reheated curry I had eaten for my lunch that day and went to bed.
The next day I had IBS type pain, similar in intensity to my very first bout 2 years ago when I initially saw my GP, this continued through the day. For some reason I didn't start my amytryptyline, thank gooodness I didn't, thinking I would just try and ride it out as I didn't want to be doped up for work the following week!
Didn't have any diarrhoea symptoms funnily enough was constipated, but felt that things might have been relieved if I had my usually IBS dash for the loo.
The next day pain persisted but as day went on I developed an increasing feeling of impending doom so much so that by late afternoon I'd made appointment via NHs direct to visit out of hours GP- at risk, I thought, of the usual ridicule of it being usual IBS. I visited GP many times in run up to diagnosis of IBS. After examination by Dr I collapsed in the worst pain I have ever experienced- worse than childbirth- was rushed to surgical ward and operated on the next day.
Ruptured appendix, full abdominal sepsis and peritonitis, full laparotomy, drains , morphine iv, the works + 2 weeks in hospital and prospect of 3 months off work
So as I have not experienced any symptoms of iBS since- eating all that I couldn't eat before- it seems my IBS may have been a grumbling appendix along ??? Unfortunately surgery was complicated due to rupture as I stayed at home thinking the pain was an exacerbation of my IBS, I didn't take my usual painkillers which may have masked the pain.
I'm sure this kind of story is rare-I don't want to scare anyone, I'm glad that the op seems to have 'cured' my IBS (watch this space), Oh and of course pretty much aware that this could of ended very differently so I'm glad to be alive!
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