Amitriptyline
Hi Ladies,
I've just been perscribed the antidepressant Amitriptyline by my oncologist. I only filled the script this morning so haven't actually started to take it yet. Only 15mg.
It's for lots of things really. I'm struggling 2.5yrs on with my tamoxifen. Just the usual stuff: joint pain, moods (my family are ready to divorce me!!) foggy brain, residual pain in my breast and under my arm from surgery etc etc etc. You all know them.
Anyway I'm just wondering if anyone else has had experience of this drug. What I might expect etc. And when it says don't drink do they really mean DON'T DRINK or is it still ok for me to have a glass or two of wine on a Friday night. I've given up so so much in these last 3yrs. I'm not quite sure I'm ready to give up my two glasses of red at the weekends!! I know I should have asked my oncologist yesterday. I was so overwhelmed at being prescribed yet another drug that it went clear out of my head.
Cheers
Sarah
Comments
Thanks for that LindyLu. You have some great suggestions there. I like the idea of keeping a journal. That's inspired.
Of course I read my prescription wrong - yet another example of my dodgy brain! I'm going to be on 25mg. Which is still low enough by all accounts.
Anyway I spoke to a pharmacist friend of mine and she filled me in a little about the drug. Definitely NO drinking anyway so I've decided that 1st January is time enough to be starting it. I won't feel any benefits for a few weeks anyway. And I can enjoy Christmas without falling asleep in my dinner!! 1st of Jan is a good date to start. That way I can give it a proper go.
I really hope it'll do the trick on many levels. Three years on and it's only now I feel like I'm fighting. I was always a tough ol' bird. But now it's starting to take its toll and grinding me down a bit. I never did investigate counselling. But I think the time has come now. I'm going to give ARC here in Cork a go. I believe they're excellent there.
Thanks again.
Sarah. X
I was on it last year for 6 months or so but for back pain, not depression. Think it was 10mg so just slightly less than you are on.
I know I read the info sheet and I think you have to be on a much higher dose for it to be for depression so maybe you are on it for joint pain and post surgery pain.
I am a believer in not being a martyr so if you are feeling crap then the onus is on you to try a few things that might make you better.
Could you keep a note book and fill it in once a week addressing a few things...pain, joint pain, general well being fogginess etc....maybe score each thing out of 10. Try the drugs for 2months and see if your scores change. If they work, then happy days. If they don't then try a plan B.
As an aside have you tried councelling? I reluctantly had two sessions in Beaumont and it was really useful in understanding all the crap that was going through my head. ARC in Dublin have excellent counsellors too.