Amitriptyline (Elavil) is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) that has been used to treat major depression since its approval in 1961. It is regarded as one of the most popular tricyclic antidepressants of all time and has been regarded by the World Health Organization as an “essential medicine” or a drug needed in a basic health system. Although it is only approved by the FDA to treat depression, it is sometimes used off-label as a treatment for migraines, neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, and nocturnal bedwetting (in childhood).
The drug works by inhibiting reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. It tends to increase serotonin significantly, while affecting norepinephrine to a moderate extent. These days, Amitriptyline is not commonly used as a first-line treatment for depression, but throughout the 1960s and 1970s, it was considered one of the best options. Some documentation even suggests that its efficacy may be superior to other antidepressants, including SSRIs.
Although this is an older drug can work well to treat depression, not everyone is going to have a positive reaction to taking it. For some individuals the side effects may be overwhelming and intolerable. For others, it may not be effective in reducing their depressive symptoms. Finally there are those who have had success taking the drug, but found that its antidepressant effects wore off over time. There are also people who just want to stop taking an antidepressant and function drug-free again. If you are considering going through withdrawal, below are some important things to keep in mind.
Factors that influence Amitriptyline withdrawal
Whenever you quit taking a medication, there are factors that will influence the severity of your withdrawal. These factors include things like: time span over which you took the drug, your dosage, how quickly you tapered, as well as other individual factors such as physiology, habits, and environment.
1. Time Span
How long were you taking Amitriptyline? If you were taking it for a short duration, chances are that your body and brain didn’t develop a tolerance or become reliant on the drug for functioning. Thus, those who took it for a short period of time (i.e. weeks or a couple months) should have an easier time coping with the withdrawal period. People who were on the drug for an extended period of time (i.e. years) will likely have a much tougher time with the withdrawal.
2. Dosage (50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg)
Most people end up taking anywhere from 50 mg to 150 mg of the drug at bedtime. However, in more extreme cases, the dosage of 150 mg may be exceeded. The maximum recommended dose of this drug to be taken daily is 300 mg. In general, there is thought to be a relationship between dose of the drug you take and the severity of your withdrawal. Individuals who are on a lower dose such as 50 mg are thought to have an easier time coping with symptoms compared to those who were on the daily maximum of 300 mg.
3. Cold Turkey vs. Tapering
Did you quit taking Amitriptyline cold turkey (abruptly) or did you conduct a gradual taper? If you quit cold turkey, it essentially shocks your central nervous system because it will still have been expecting to receive the drug. In order to reduce withdrawal symptoms, the best method is to conduct a gradual taper based on how you feel to reductions in dosage.
To be on the safe side, experts recommend tapering by 10% of your current dose per month. If you feel this is too slow and/or you don’t notice any extreme withdrawals, you can tweak the percentage to suit your needs. Understand that if you are taking a sustained-release version of the Amitriptyline, you may want to talk to your doctor about counting the little “beads” or converting to the non-sustained release version while tapering.
4. Individual Factors
There are always other individual factors that can influence the difficulty of your withdrawal. Individual physiology tends to play a big role in determining how someone will react to withdrawal. Certain people may not experience many withdrawal symptoms, while others will experience every unwanted symptom imaginable.
It should also be noted that personal habits such as: diet, exercise, social life, productivity, etc. can also play a role in influencing how a person is able to cope with their withdrawal. Additionally if you are on any other medications, it may make the withdrawal process easier.
Amitriptyline Withdrawal Symptoms: List of Possibilities
Below is a list of possible symptoms that you may experience when withdrawing from Amitriptyline. Understand that you may not exhibit every symptom listed below during your withdrawal. This is just a collection of symptoms that people have reported, with the two most common being dizziness and headaches.
- Anger: During withdrawal it is common to experience increased anger. You may get angry at other people or angry with your circumstances. This is usually caused by neurotransmitter levels being abnormally low. As they increase, your anger should continue improving. Do your best to contain your anger and learn productive ways to cope with it.
- Anxiety: When withdrawing from this medication, you may notice that you feel more anxious than usual. This is due to the fact that your serotonin levels dropped after you stopped taking the medication. Low serotonin is thought to contribute to significant anxiety during the withdrawal period. Your serotonin levels and neurotransmission will eventually return to how they were prior to your usage of the drug.
- Appetite changes: Some people who take this drug report increases in appetite. If you experienced an increased appetite while on this antidepressant, your appetite may be reduced when you quit taking the medication, and vice versa. Appetite changes can lead to weight loss or weight gain when you stop taking the drug.
- Body aches: In some cases this drug can actually help to reduce body aches. When you stop taking it, you may feel achy all over for no apparent reason. Keep in mind that it may take a few weeks before the aches start to subside. In the meantime, consider getting a massage if this symptom becomes difficult to deal with.
- Crying spells: It is common to cry a lot when you withdraw from an antidepressant. Crying is considered a natural release of emotion and can actually promote healing. Most people that end up crying during withdrawal do so as a result of the increased depression that they initially experience.
- Depersonalization: Do you feel like you aren’t the same person that you were prior to taking the drug? It is common to feel depersonalized or as if our normal emotions and personality has been sucked out of our body. Understand that as you experience healing, your natural emotions and personality features will return.
- Depression: When you quit this drug, you may notice that your initial depression returns. For some individuals, they may notice that not only does the depression return, it actually increases in severity. Depression may increase in severity because your neurotransmitters are likely abnormally low and your brain has become vulnerable and sensitive. As you heal, your depression should either subside or return to how it was pre-Amitriptyline.
- Diarrhea: There have been reports of diarrhea upon discontinuation of this drug. If you have diarrhea, you may want to consider picking up some over-the-counter Imodium to help with your situation. Typically diarrhea should not last more than a week following your last dose.
- Dizziness: Feeling dizzy is perhaps the most common complaint people have when they stop taking Amitriptyline. You may feel lightheaded, as though you have balance issues, and uncoordinated as a result of the dizziness. It can be overwhelming, especially in cases of people who quit the drug cold turkey. Even though it may seem never-ending, just know that it will eventually get better.
- Fatigue: Another very common symptom is that of lethargy or fatigue. You may feel tired all the time and lack energy to complete even basic tasks. Keep pushing yourself through these feelings of tiredness, but honor them in times when you think a little extra sleep would be beneficial. It can be difficult to deal with this symptom, but your energy levels will eventually rebound.
- Flu-like symptoms: In some cases, people get really sick when they stop taking this medication. You may experience nausea, headache, fatigue, aches, and dizziness – leading to a set of symptoms that mimic influenza. If you gradually taper off of the medication, you will reduce your chances of feeling “sick” during the withdrawal.
- Headaches: Some people take this drug specifically to treat their migraine headaches. If you were taking it to treat headaches, you may notice that they reemerge when you stop taking the drug. In order to reduce your chances of dealing with bad headaches, it is recommended to always gradually taper.
- Hypersensitivity: During withdrawal you may notice that bright lights and/or loud sounds become very bothersome. Your visual and auditory processing may become hypertensive and moderately loud noises may sound extremely loud. As your nervous system heals and the parasympathetic functioning is restored, hypersensitivity should be reduced.
- Insomnia: Some individuals take this drug for insomnia and/or notice that it helps them fall asleep at night. When withdrawing, you may notice profound insomnia to the point that you cannot get a good night’s sleep. Understand that insomnia may be temporarily worsened during withdrawal and that you can cope with it by learning ways to lower your arousal.
- Irritability: You may become increasingly irritable during the early weeks of withdrawal. You may feel like lashing out at other people and as though you have taken on a mean persona. This is usually a result of neurochemical changes that you are dealing with during withdrawal. If you feel irritable, you may want to practice some sort of relaxation technique and/or exercise.
- Itching: Feeling itchy is a very common side effect of this particular drug, but a less common withdrawal symptom. If you feel itchy, it could because you are in early stages of withdrawal and still have the drug in your system. Realize that once you stop the drug, the itching should subside within a week.
- Joint pain: In addition to feeling body aches, you may notice some joint pain. This could be a result of norepinephrine changes – a neurotransmitter linked to pain processing. Realize that the pain you are experiencing may be temporarily more severe during the early stages of withdrawal.
- Memory problems: Some people report issues with memory retrieval and feel as if their short and/or long term memory has worsened. If you are having difficulties with your memory, just know that this drug is not associated with any long term memory damage. In other words, as your brain heals itself, your memory should return to normal functioning.
- Muscle pain: This drug is sometimes prescribed off-label to treat people with various types of pain. It can reduce muscle pain while a person takes it, but when they come off of it, the pain may be even worse. This is due to the fact that norepinephrine levels drop when a person quits the medication. It can take awhile for them to stabilize and the increased pain sensitivity to subside.
- Nausea: You may feel nauseated if you quit this drug cold turkey. Nausea occurs because your body has gotten used to receiving the drug on a daily basis and was incorporated in its functioning. When you stop taking the drug, nausea is a common response from the body.
- Panic attacks: Since this medication affects serotonin levels, when you stop taking it, your serotonin levels can drop. This can result in increased levels of anxiety, which in turn can cause a person to experience panic attacks. Panic attacks experienced during withdrawal will subside once our serotonin levels are restored and when we learn to relax.
- Poor concentration: Many individuals report that withdrawal from Amitriptyline takes a toll on their ability to focus. Completing work-related tasks, schoolwork, and/or taking tests may become extra difficult. Additionally doing something simple like reading a newspaper may seem tough. Understand that you may temporarily experience poor concentration, but your brain will eventually restore its natural ability to focus.
- Restlessness: Some people report feeling restless when they initially stop taking this drug. They are unable to sit still and are fueled by inner agitation and anxiety. If you feel restless, you may want to engage in some sort of relaxation exercise to calm your nerves and/or get some exercise to burn off energy.
- Sleep changes: During withdrawal, your sleep cycle can easily get thrown out of balance. You may find it difficult to fall asleep at night and/or difficult to stay asleep at night. You may have weird dreams, nightmares, and feel tired all the time. Many people report feeling unable to fall asleep at night, and extremely lethargic during the day. Understand that as your brain recovers, your sleep cycle should eventually normalize.
- Suicidal thoughts: During withdrawal it is relatively common to feel suicidal and increasingly depressed. If these thoughts become overwhelming, be sure to seek immediate medical attention. Understand that the potency of suicidal thoughts tends to increase during withdrawal because your serotonin levels are low and neurotransmission tends to be chaotic. The longer you have been off of the drug, the less these thoughts should occur.
- Sweating: Many individuals note that they sweat profusely when coming off of this antidepressant. Increased sweating is common when a person quits taking a drug that their body has become accustomed to receiving. When the drug supply is cut, sweating is a physical reaction that many people have. Sweating may occur throughout the day and/or at night.
- Vomiting: Although vomiting is an extreme withdrawal symptom, it is one that is sometimes reported. Usually those who report vomiting were on a high dose, quit cold turkey, and ended up feeling very sick with high nausea. Just know that vomiting should not last more than a few days.
- Weight changes: Some people gain a fair amount of weight while taking Amitriptyline. In the event that your weight gain was caused by the drug, you should lose the weight that you gained while taking it. Additionally if you lost weight while taking this drug, you may gain some weight back that you lost while taking it.
Note: It is understood that amitriptyline stays in your system (along with its metabolites) for a period of 4 to 21 days after discontinuation; suggestive of high interindividual variability. Some users will eliminate the drug quicker (in around 4 days) than others (nearly 21 days). As a result of variability in elimination speed, severe withdrawal symptoms may emerge sooner or later depending on how long your body retains amitriptyline (and its metabolites) in your plasma.
How long do Amitriptyline withdrawal symptoms last?
There’s no telling exactly how long Amitriptyline withdrawal will last. For some people who were on a low dose for a short-duration, it may only take a few weeks before they feel 100% back to normal. For others that were on the drug for an extended period of time at a high dose and/or those who quit cold turkey may end up dealing with withdrawal symptoms for months following their last dose. It is important to avoid getting caught up in comparing how quickly you recover to how quickly someone else recovers – everyone is different.
In order to speed up your recovery, it is recommended to engage in healthy activities such as: getting adequate exercise, eating a healthy diet, getting proper sleep, forcing yourself to socialize and stay productive, and seeking the help of a professional if you need it. The less stress you have to deal with in your environment and the more you push yourself to engage in healthy activities, you will increase the speed of your recovery. Although withdrawal symptoms may be overwhelming at times, continue pushing through them and realize that in time they will get better.
Withdrawing from an antidepressant can be a frustrating experience, especially if you didn’t know what to expect. Do your best to talk to other people about how you feel and consider seeking the help of a therapist if you lack social support. If you have gone through Amitriptyline withdrawal, feel free to share your experience in the comments section below. You may really help someone else who is going through the same thing.
I have been taking the medication for a couple years though I would occasionally miss a night or two and never notice. I was prescribed for vague Fibro symptoms (pain, tingling, etc.) and the medication seemed to help somewhat. My dose was increased at one time to 50 mg and recently I tried to go back to 25. I have been having all these gastro problems like endless heartburn and nausea along with fatigue. I figured it must be my inconsistent use of the medication.
So I took 50mg one night and the next day took 50 again in the morning. Later that afternoon I had the WORST anxiety of my life. Unable to stay still for even a second. True and enduring panic! I can’t even be around people at all. Was this an over dose? I have resumed 25 mg but the anxiety is still here. I can’t tell if it is a result of me tapering down from 50mg and it is withdrawal or I if I ingested a non lethal overdose that really messed with my system. To make things worse, I went to my doctor today and she gave me an EKG.
She said the medicine is causing conduction abnormalities and increased blood pressure and the I will need to come off it completely! I work full time, just got a promotion, attend school full-time, intern, lead my worship team at church and so on. I am scared that I am not even going to feel normal at 25 mgs again let alone completely stop. I don’t know what to do. I feel so scared and defeated! No one ever explained the risks associated with starting this medication, and no one is ever going to understand what is going on with me. I feel like I am going to lose everything. Someone please help.
Justin don’t be scared there are many of us under the spell of these awful tablets. They mess with your mind and your ability to reason. This medication has made me feel that without it everything will go wrong in my life. I’ve been trying to cut back and suffering nightmares, restless legs and a feeling of impending doom! Try to take control of your life ,be strong and remember that there are loads of us out here feeling the same and hopefully that will give you strength. Good luck, Justin.
I was so pleased to see all these reports. I have been on Ami. for about 3 years luckily only on 25mg until about a year ago when I went onto 35mg then 50mg earlier this year. I was so tired all day I felt that I needed to come of these. I have reduced to 25mg over the last 10 days but my legs and feet are driving me mad. After reading all these reports I will persevere. Thank you all for your help.
I have been taking 25mg of this on and off for about 4 years. I stopped it for a few months last year with the only side effect being lack of sleep. I went cold turkey on Friday night as am due to start IVF soon and I feel like I’m dying. Have had crying fits, am rattling with the cold, heart is racing, stomach is churning. I literally feel like a drug addict going through withdrawal. So glad to see I’m not the only one – not that I would wish this on anyone – have given in this morning and made an appointment to see my doc in 2 hours before I lose the plot!
I feel your pain Tara. Be interesting to see what your doctor has to say. I am thinking about making an appointment with mine too.
I took 30mg for migraines for 5 years and it stopped my migraines with no side effects. But just over the past year, I started getting really tired all the time, felt like a zombie, gained weight, couldn’t remember things, got headaches, and was sweating excessively all the time. After doing some research online, I thought this might be all linked to my Amitriptyline – just extremely delayed side effects. So around new years, I went to my doctor and she said that this is rare but it can happen.
I couldn’t take the side effects anymore so I decided to go off and my doctor told me to go down 5mg every 2 weeks. I did and was fine until I got down to 5mg and then I started feeling dizzy a lot so I went back up to 10mg for a few more weeks and the dizziness quickly went away. But now I am not working at the moment and I thought it is a good time to try to get off it again in case I get sick from it. Time for attempt #2: First 2 weeks taking 5mg I was fine, but ever since I started taking 5mg every 3 days for 2 weeks now.
I am feeling like a wreck: Dizziness every day, feeling like crying all the time, can’t sleep anymore, itchiness – I can’t decide what is worse – the side effects of taking the drug or the withdrawal symptoms from not taking it! And what’s even scarier is, it looks like it could get worse looking at the comments above. I can’t imagine what it must be like trying to get off this drug while holding down a full time job as well. I may be able to rest a lot at the moment (cant sleep though) but I still hope this does not go on for too much longer. It is HORRIBLE.
I took amitriptyline for 5 nights only, 25 mgs each tablet. I stopped on the 6th night, as my back muscle tension got better. Today is day 7 since I stopped and I have had a nightmare and still have. My heart is racing 24/7. I can’t sleep, so taking diazepam at night and now zopiclon, to be able to sleep. I know the last two are addictive, but I can’t sleep otherwise. I have had tremors, although they have subsided a bit. I feel desperate.
I need this to stop. I am eating well, going for walks and swimming and still working, but it’s hard to finish the week. I don’t know what else to do. The doctors say I have personal problems and they make me anxious. No. This has only happened to me since I was put on amitriptyline. I need it to stop. Herbal tablets are not working. I need my heart to go back to its relaxed rhythm.
I have been on amitriptyline for 15 years for fibromyalgia. At one stage I was taking 125mg per night and I with my doctors advice reduced it down to 20mg. Last week I visited the doctor and said I want to come off the amitriptyline so this was reduced to 10mg. I stopped 4 days ago and since yesterday afternoon I have felt: nausea, headache and vomited once. I spoke to the healthline who put me onto a doctor who said I shouldn’t have withdrawal. But after reading all your comments, I can see it is going to be a journey to get this out of my system.
I was on 30mg for about a year and a half, gained about 15 lbs, slept great while on the drug. I took about 2 weeks to wean myself, and felt good initially. But soon found having headaches for two weeks at a time or a couple days. Almost always after exertion and/or in the heat (playing tennis). I’m finding that I’m having less headaches, but when I do get one I have no idea how long it is going to last.
I had my Neurologist call in another prescription because I was tired of the headaches. So far I’ve held off taking them since my Chiropractor helped. Now after reading all of these posts, I’m going to stay off of this drug. I’m dealing with post concussion syndrome, so I really don’t know if it’s the withdrawal or from the concussion. I’ve been off the drug for 5 weeks, so I’m praying that my symptoms will end soon.
I had an emotional breakdown in grad school in 1982 and have been on ami 50-75 mg nightly ever since. I have tried to get off the drug a number of times only to fail. The last time I found myself screaming at my teenage son while on my cell phone for no reason. I went back on the drug. My withdrawal symptoms have been minor compared with most of yours. I have tapered off the drug over a period of a month.
I have been clean for 4 days. I have had at most 2-3 hours of sleep the past few nights. I feel irritable, agitated and angry. I feel empty no matter how much I eat. Fortunately, I am retired, single and my kids are out of the house. Unlike most of you, I don’t have the stress of a job or family relationships. I gave blood two weeks ago and my blood pressure was 155/85, too high. I watched a series of interesting videos on Youtube by author Robert Whitaker. (If you are having a hard time don’t watch the videos now).
He talks about the dreadful long-term side effects of psychotropic drugs. He says they frequently do a lot more harm than good according to non-biased research. My heart goes out to you all. I wish I could do something to help you. I am a Christian and Christians are “not supposed to be on anti-depressants” according to many pastors. One person mentioned valerian root. I think I will give it a try. I have been taking 500 mg of magnesium and 5 mg of melatonin. They have not helped me. I am thankful I found this website.
I just wanted to say that my symptoms have subsided since the first 2 weeks. I have been able to sleep. Turns out I did have a cold that lasted about a week and a half. I am feeling better regarding the other symptoms. Not many others have posted about getting better. It is getting better for me. Slowly, and I hope surely. Hang in there. It’s not your fault. Try to relax. Wish I had more to offer.
Hi there I have been off the tablet for 3 and a half weeks. I took it for 4 years. I have lost a lot of sleep, but I’ve started to sleep a little better now. I was feeling sick all the time, but I found if I drink cranberry juice in the day it helps to ease the sick feeling. I take two paracetamol when my headache starts it helps me feel better. I look forward to getting back to my happy self. Good luck to you all who have come off the medication.
So glad to hear some good news. I went off cold turkey a week ago… having tight chest and reading all bad reviews has me scared. Been thinking of going back on, but afraid to do that too. Only on 10 mg for about 8 months. Thanks.
Thanks for lifting my spirit Bill. I am a firm believer in my Christian faith and God will see me through this soon.
I have been on ami on and off for about 18 years, originally prescribed for migraines when I was 16. If memory serves, I started at 10 mg and increased to 25. About two years ago, the migraines increased, so my dosage was increased to 50mg. Over the past few months, the dosage was increased again to help control my insomnia, gradually, up to 200 mg, which seems to be my magic number to control the migraines and help me fall asleep and stay asleep.
I have nothing negative to say about the medication and, as far as I can remember, have never experienced any side effects. (However, my doctor monitors my vitals, making me come in every 60 days just to check my heart and blood pressure). I recently was very ill with a sinus infection and didn’t realize that my refill had run out and, due to a bunch of complications, went without my ami for almost a week, cold turkey. Probably due to my dosage and the duration of time that I’ve been on the medication, my withdrawal was almost debilitating.
(It has been 5 days now and it’s gotten increasingly worse. I get to see my doctor and get my refill in the morning) here is what I’m experiencing: extreme insomnia (as I type this, it’s 3am). Constant, mild headaches. Diarrhea. Intense nausea and dizziness. If I don’t lay completely still, I feel like I’m going to throw up and the whole room is spinning, almost like vertigo. Extreme panic attacks, including unprovoked, uncontrollable anxiety, racing heart, and profuse sweating. Extreme loss of appetite.
I have barely eaten anything in the past two days. And today the vomiting began. I know that most people probably won’t experience the withdrawal as badly as I am and also that the medication is not for everyone, but just wanted to share my experience of accidentally, temporarily quitting cold turkey. I’m not sure when the symptoms will subside and I guess I won’t find out, but it’s been just shy of a week and it’s only getting worse.
I didn’t want to go cold turkey, I lost the darn things in a move. On top of that, I had to do 80 hours of overnight shifts in a row, so I had to change everything around. I am trying to wait for my next refill, but by now I can’t sleep, and it even got so bad that I ended up in the hospital because the sleeplessness caused a relapse. Now it scares the heck out of me when I lay there hour after hour unable to sleep. I am so sleep deprived that I am irrational and not thinking clearly, so it’s hard to say to myself that my body will go back to normal and I will be able to sleep again. Ahh!
I came off it and have had achy joints and bad stomach cramps and nausea even though I came off of it gradually. Any one else had the stomach cramps and bloated feeling?
Hi there, I have been on it for nearly twenty years. Tried to come off it after 4 years but knew I had to do it gradually. I was on 25mg. and slowly tapered down to 10 mg. and then stopped. OK for a few days and then had horrendous stomach pain and nausea and eventually took a 10mg tablet. The relief was amazing. Went to doctor who persuaded me to go back on the 25mg as it was such a small dose. Recently started trying again.
Down to 10mg with 20mg when feeling unwell. The last couple of days I have had stomach cramps and wondered if this was something unrelated but having read the thread realise this is one of the symptoms. Will try 20 mg. and then taper down more slowly. I used a pair of scissors to cut a tablet in half and slowly go down to 15 mg and then to ten. I will then take tablets every other day as I will find it difficult to manage the nausea and stomach cramps. I am sitting with an electric blanket on which is very comforting, Good luck to all of you.
I have been on 25mg Amitriptyline for a number of years for anxiety and fibro pain and sleep disorder. I have gained more weight than is comfortable for my small boned body. I have decided to go off them. I quit about 2 weeks ago, took one every other day for a few days then cut right off. No withdrawal for a few days then the head zaps started and affected my vision, runny nose and eyes and ears were bothering me. Just a horrible feeling in my head.
Next I found I was cold and shivering, and in bed, had to bundle myself in 2 sweaters, bed socks with PJ bottoms tucked in to keep from shivering and be able to get to sleep. I was really feeling tired and yawning and would go to bed but not get a good nights sleep, due to wakefulness. My restless leg syndrome acted up and I took Hyland’s Restful Legs tablets.. that did help. The dizziness in my head got so bad I became nauseated with bad indigestion and couldn’t face eating.
I had soup 2 nights in a row then last Sunday broke down and took a Ami pill. It sure did give me relief yesterday and today and I ate decent meals and felt better. I can feel the funny head nonsense starting a little tonight but will hang in there. I have 4 pills left and if it gets real bad again I will try breaking one and take a quarter of a pill to help get me through. I am 72 and am finding these withdrawal symptoms pretty bad.
Am now feeling joint pain today and was scared last week when I had funny chest pains but told myself it was just my acid reflux and gastritis causing it and tried to relax. I am so glad to have found this site and read about all of the people that are struggling to get off this nasty med. I am going to hang tough. I can and pray all of you conquer your demons and get back to being yourselves.
I am currently about a month into the withdrawal from Amitriptyline and I feel terrible! The anxiety has really kicked up. Thankfully I have some anxiety meds to help take the edge off that. I should mention I was on 25 mg since November 2014 and have been on and off of it since. I have been having headaches, horrible muscle aches in my legs and especially my left arm, chest pains, dizziness, restlessness and definitely feeling like I have the flu.
The pains in my legs while sitting and at night are unbearable! I cry a lot as well. Mostly for no apparent reason. It takes forever to relax enough to fall asleep. Ugh, I’m hoping that this gets better soon. I should have never gone off this cold turkey but at 25 mg I didn’t think much of withdrawal symptoms. I feel for the rest of you that are trying to break free from the clutches of amitriptyline.
I was taking Amitriptyline 10 mg for 26 years and I decided to stop taking the pill (cold turkey) the Doctor never told me that I had to wean off of this medication because there would be terrible withdrawal symptoms. I stopped taking it February, experiencing insomnia, anxiety, loss of appetite, itching all over my body especially at night. I tried many things and the insomnia has not subsided. I took benadryl for the itching and that did not help. The doctor prescribed Hydroxyzine HCI 10mg to take 4 times a day for the itching and so far that has not helped.
The doctor suggested that I get back on the Amitriptyline for a few weeks then wean off. I will not go back on that medication after a month not taking it just to wean off of it but I would advise anyone wanting to stop taking that medication to wean off it and do not cold turkey as I did. Hopefully my withdrawal symptoms will not last too much longer (ugh). I hope this helps, good luck!
I thought I was the only one to suffer this really awful itching (so relieved it’s the Endep) it’s happening several times a day apart from feeling really sick, must say this drug is the pits, it caused me to have extreme sun sensitivity and tinnitus so had to come off it slowly after 5 years and 100mg a day.
Last dose was 12-5-2015, will it ever end?
Try soaking in baking soda for the itch B and D vitamins and melatonin if you have sleep issues. Hope that helps.
Initially on 100mg for depression. I was so groggy that the side-effects were as bas as the illness so I reduced down to 20-30mg and stayed there for 10 years. Tried to reduce to zero several times, both cold-turkey and taper, but failed. This time cold-turkey for 3 weeks. I am trying to counter the side effects with L-Tryptophan (converts to Serotonin which Amitriptylene effects) and B-100 supplements but it is difficult to know if they are working.
The first 2 weeks were not really a problem but I did get leg twitches and couldn’t stay still in bed. That’s why I started the B-100 which is sometimes used for Restless Leg Syndrome. No more leg twitches since then. The insomnia is bad, I often feel dizzy and I felt nauseous on the bus. I wake up after 40 minutes sleep and repeat that 3-4 times. I will then be awake for several hours and finally get two blocks of 1.5 hours sleep from about 7am onwards. The tiredness leaves me with headaches.
People with depression often have low vitamin D levels so I am also taking that. Thanks to the other posters, would an update be possible so that others can gauge how long withdrawal takes?
I’m so glad I found this site! I had started at a low dose because of sleep issues some years back and was up to 100 mg. at night. I quit cold turkey a few weeks back because I am starting allergy testing and this med affects the results. My sleep pattern is exactly like yours and the restless legs. Frustrating as heck. I need sleep to function. For flu like symptoms I am getting headaches and chills. At least I now know – no way am I ever getting back on a prescribed sleep med!
Gavin. I quit taking the amitripyline the 5th of February. I quit cold turkey, (second time doing so) and it has been a nightmare. I have been on 50mg at bedtime for about 17 years. I was put on it for a migraine preventative, but it seems my migraines are getting worse, than better. My daughter was on this stuff for 3 months and suffered from twitches and tremors, and, she was convinced she had MS. As she delved into researching the twitching, she stumbled onto the side effects of this drug.
She quit taking it and the twitches went away within days. She said Mom, you need to get off that stuff!!! I had non-stop migraines for a couple of weeks, and I feel as if I’m motion sick all the time, and for weeks, I didn’t sleep at all and was a complete zombie. I now do not sleep without a sleep aid. I think I traded one nightmare for another. This time I will not go back on it, the side effects of this med is horrible! Reading about withdrawal, it can last for months, and the no sleeping can last a real long time. Best wishes to you!
After 4 years on dosages up to 75mg for pain and major depression, I stopped after being on 25mg for about a year. The first week and a half was okay. Then it hit me and for the past 8 days, I’ve had the worst cold/flu I’ve ever experienced. I cannot sleep for more than 3 hours at a time and my legs constantly shake when I try to sleep. Anxiety, crying, headaches, fear. I never knew what I was in for. I hope these symptoms go away soon. I don’t want to go back on any medications. I haven’t felt “normal” for 4 years. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences. We’re not alone in this.
Hi All, Well I’d say it’s been 3 weeks since I came off this drug I’d been on it for years having suffered from endometriosis (still have at 46) and now lower back and pelvic pain. I was on about 30mg and gradually came down to 10mg then went cold turkey. The reduction caused me to have extremely increased anxiety I felt my heart pounding my head racing (unable to shut off my mind) but somehow I went to work luckily I work in a holistic center I shared my symptoms and a colleague acupuncturist saw me.
He put a few needles in specific places (I remember the spot between the big toe and second toe was really painful!) but temporarily it was as if I had become grounded again. However I am still having symptoms my sleep pattern is unpredictable I have no problem going to sleep (which was the opposite to when I was on the drug) but I can now wake in the early hours and not be able to go back to sleep. I think it is improving it does take some adjusting and I do recommend avoiding alcohol and coffee any type of stimulant (although life without chocolate would not be worth living!). I am having a massage treatment combined with osteopathy and deep tissue massage every week.
I know this is costly but if you tell them you are coming every week they are very likely to give a good discount so just ask it’s really going to help you through this. I do keep wondering when I will feel normal again but to be honest I’m not sure what normal is anymore…but am getting more accustomed to these changes and my fiancée is really encouraging me…do make sure you tell others how you are feeling and get some support. I realize my dosage is a lot less than some of you and am writing this to urge you not to go cold turkey but taper down.
Just coming off the final 10mg caused (is still causing) problems so I cannot imagine how awful it must be to go cold turkey off a higher dose! My heart goes out to you! Also getting back in touch with the reality of your pain can be alarming, I literally feel like I have flu aches all over my body, but my feeling is that I want to know and understand my pain better and treat it holistically or seek other options. It was probably 15 years ago I was prescribed this for endometriosis and pelvic pain I am hoping in that time there have been other medicines developed.
I will NEVER take any drug without first finding out about withdrawal symptoms again. I felt let down by the NHS for not explaining this at the point of prescription and actually wonder if 15 years ago they had even had any idea. I hope my comments help and encourage you to manage your withdrawal symptoms…whatever you do, just do what feels good for yourself and be kind to yourself because this isn’t easy.
I have just quit 3 days ago, coming off 25mg/day for the past 25 years. I feel awful. Terrible headache that just won’t go away, stomach is in knots, unable to sleep, muscle aches. I have tried to quit before without much luck, but I’m going to battle through it this time. Nice to see a current post regarding this issue. I can’t believe how many people have been prescribed this drug with the thought that it is not addictive. Good luck to all of you.
I’m looking for the courage to get off this drug. I have taken it for more than 20 years, anywhere from 50 mg to 400 mg for migraines. I love and hate it! It saved me from debilitating migraines but with newer meds and life changes, I think I can live without it. I have tried 3 times to escape Amitriptilyne in the last 6 years and it has become a prison. Each attempt ended in in anxiety attacks, depression, crying… to the point I couldn’t work and felt barely alive. Doctors were little help…I realize now I have to manage it for myself. I will try a slow, slow, slow taper and time the moment I drop to zero to a time when I can concentrate on myself. Thanks for sharing your stories, I need all the encouragement I can get it to try this again.
I have severe fibromyalgia, migraines, insomnia and depression. I used to take 400 mg of Amitriptyline. I have been taking the drug for 30 years total. I have used this drug for most of my life. It is a part of my body chemistry. I feel trapped and like this drug is a prison. I can’t live with it or live without it. I worked down to 150 mg at my doctor’s insistence because high doses are hard on your heart according to my psychiatrist.
Every 50 mg I went down took me 7 months of hell to recover from. I had the shakes every morning and was Extremely emotional along with almost all the symptoms above. I have been taking 150mg at night for 6 years now. I decided that I want to travel and be medication free and my goal is to do some walking trips through Europe. I went down 50 mg July 25, 2015 and then went down another 50 mg August 23. I am angry, exhausted, anxious, feeling sick, weak, feeling hopeless and crying all the time. I am not suicidal. I don’t feel like myself and of course I can’t be myself.
My brain and neurotransmitters that make my Central Nervous System work are not the same. I will go off another 50 mg in a couple months. I feel like I have damaged some of my most important interpersonal relationships because my kind and patient personality has changed and nobody understands that this can be one of the worst medications to go off. Unless you’ve been there you could not understand how difficult going off this drug can be. It is very lonely to go through this without anyone that I know who understands this. The loneliness is compounded by the withdrawal symptoms.
I had shoulder surgery a few years ago and I took the opiate Dilaudid which is stronger than morphine. The withdrawal from that took a week or two of anxiety, craving and nervousness and then I was OK. Amitriptyline is 100 times worse than going off that mega-strong opiate. I am determined to live a drug free life. I travel a lot to visit family across the US and the issue for me is always making sure that there is a CVS where I am staying so that I can get my prescriptions transferred and filled from my CVS at home.
I feel like this is a sad existence and that my doctors have only treated the symptoms of my fibromyalgia and put me on too many drugs. I have my goals and have already gone off my muscle relaxants and others. I just hope I can get through this with minimal damage to people who love me. It is the worst drug I have ever quit taking including tranquilizers and the above opiate. I know I can do this like so many of you have shared.
I am getting a divorce and moving and this is probably a bad time to do this, but life rather stinks right now. I thought now is the time to move forward with my life so I am doing this anyway. After reading many entries, I decided I am going to call some of my walking friends in the morning. Brad Dixon and any others struggling with this drug – you can do this too! It is difficult but possible!!
You functioned before without Amitriptyline and you can do it again. If I can do this after 30 years on high dosages of this drug, anyone can do it. It is not easy, but you have to make it a priority and make a game plan. Thanks so much to all the other who shared their stories of getting off this highly addictive and insidious drug with the longest withdrawal period in history.
Thanks for your comment, Camille. I’m a lot younger and was only on it for a year, but I missed what I used to be so much I just stopped cold turkey. I got to a point where I need to be the one who takes control back in my life, so far it’s been hell. I have the worst case scenario of any withdrawal symptom I get playing in my head every day.
I literally sleep every other day because one night I won’t sleep and the next I will from just fatigue. I’ve been having gut problems ever since the 4th day off the drug. The horrible nights are less frequent, but the panic attacks, anxiety attacks, and depression moments are coming back. I want to run again, but I lost 10lbs very fast coming off amitriptyline that I’m afraid to burn too many calories as my gut hurts so I skip meals sometimes.
I’m determined to get back my old self, I miss running, I miss eating 3 meals comfortably, I miss going to bed when everybody else does. I hope you can keep fighting as I will fight with you. My struggles may not last as long as some, but I will make sure I get to the other side into a medication-free life again. I learned this at a younger age thankfully, I will do w/e it takes to naturally fix problems before medication going into further adulthood. Stay positive <3.
I’ve been on amitriptyline for over 20 years for depression. I’ve tried so many times to quit but to no avail. The nervousness, anxiety and panic attacks were too much to bear so I ended up on them each time. My only deliverance is divine intervention from God. Many times I’ve ended up in the emergency and I feel so helpless. May God help us all.
Try tapering at 10% dose drop per month. If you’re anything like me you’ll still get mild withdrawals each time but they’ll be much more manageable than bigger drops. I bought a set of digital jewelry scales and cut up the tablets with a razor blade so I can make my own doses up in capsules. I’m down to 10mg from 25mg over about a year. I’m sticking on the 10mg for the duration of the winter and then I’ll be tapering the final 10mg over next summer.
Hopefully I’ll be drug free by the same time next year! I’ve had particularly bad protracted withdrawals from these kind of drugs. I had terrible problems getting off citalopram a couple years ago, which rendered me unable to work. Now with the tricyclic I want to be extra cautious and I’m doing my dose reductions very, very slowly.
I too have been on this horrific drug for 20 years. Looking back I wish I had NEVER taken it. It becomes addictive very very quickly but the GPs don’t warn you of this. I am tapering at the moment and it is really difficult but I have to be brave and get through it as we all do. I was on 150 mg but now down to 75 mg.
It’s really hard but I know in the end it will be so worth it. I have been shouting at my lovely partner and saying horrible things that just isn’t me and it’s so not fair to him. But when I do come off these antidepressants I will be me again and that’s what keeps me going. Also I am going to have CBT again and I know then that I will be depression free and amitriptyline free. Just can’t wait.
After suffering with what the doctors diagnosed as irritible bowel syndrome for almost 2 years my general practioner prescribed me Amitriptyline 25 mg to help relax my stomach muscles. I started taking this medication in September 2014 and took it up untill January 15th 2015. I found only occaisional mild relief in my stomach well the majority of my IBS symptoms remained constant. I stopped taking the medication cold turkey thinking that I had only been on it for 5 months at a low dose and the withdrawal shouldn’t be that bad.
The first 2 weeks I had no symptoms at all and I felt normal. The third and now fourth weeks have been just horrible. My whole nervous system seems to be a wreck, my stomach muscles are contracting in and out randomly, I have terrible head aches in the back of my head and neck similar to migraines I have suffered in the past. I also get pressure behind my eyes and very clear random thoughts worrying about anything and everything in my life. I get random sharp nerve pains in my chest and in my temples, I have random palpitations and all of this has made my IBS symptoms way worse than before.
I have found a bit of relief from taking 2 valerian root 530 mg tablets once daily at night. Valerian root is one of the strongest herbs that effect the nervous system and if it wasn’t for this I may have commit suicide or even worse gone back to taking amitriptyline. I can only take the valerian root in the evenings as it makes me really tired and helps me with sleep but it has helped me for sure. I first bought this valerian root supplement in October after I had already been taking amitriptyline for a month because I had read about it’s effects on the nervous system.
Before I started taking it I looked it up online and found out that it doesn’t react well with amitriptyline because they both have very similar reactions in the body and one can worsen the other’s effects. So I put the valerian root aside and stuck with the amitriptyline untill January when I decided I had had enough of the chemical addiction which wasn’t even helping my ‘IBS’. I am very glad I had this valerian root still in my medicine cabinet because it really has been a life saver. I would recodmend anyone going through withdrawal to look into it and see if it’s safe for your own consumption.
It does react with some medications so be careful and do some research before trying it out. My doctor had been pushing paxil on me for my IBS for months before she gave me the amitriptyline, but I was refusing the paxil because my brother and sister are both addicted to the stuff for their depression. Well since the amitriptyline didn’t help me I am serious considering taking the paxil as I am desperate to fix my IBS as its taken over my whole life.
I’m sorry you’re in so much pain. Consider Low Dose Naltrexone for IBS. It’s off patent and your regular doc won’t know much about it. 1-4.5mg doses are what used. Some good reports for many neuro and gut symptoms. It actually raises endorphins. Peace.
I have been taking 25 mg of Amitriptilyne for approximately 10 years. I was so tired of the weight gain and didn’t feel like Amitriptilyne was even helping me so decided to get off, cold turkey about 3 weeks ago. I have not been able to sleep. My head is killing me and I feel like I have the flu. I hate this. I am so tempted to get back on it to make the pain go away, but am fighting the urge. I hate this stuff. I also gained about 40 pounds while on this medicine, and no matter what diet I do, I can not get it off. I hope this goes away soon. Feeling blah!
Been two weeks since came off amitriptyline. I started taking it on and off for a bout 3 or 4years. I have fibromyalgia… I wish that I started to cut them down slowly instead of going cold turkey. My sleep pattern is worse, aches&pains increased, I have terrible night sweats, am irritable, and impatient. The good thing is my brain doesn’t feel foggy… I’m taking multi vitamins, eating plenty of fruits and veggies, and a more balanced diet. Good luck everyone. Try to think positive and stay grounded.
I regret ever taking this drug. I have gained a stone in weight in the year I have been taking it. I also experienced terrible withdrawal symptoms when I came off of it cold turkey including: heart palpitations, restlessness (where I could not keep my legs still in bed), anxiety, etc. Anyways, I am now going to reduce my dose weekly and come off it gently. I am on 50 mg at the moment. Good luck to you all.
Hello Mandy I’ve been on this drug for 6 years and have gained about a stone in weight. This last month I’ve been cutting back but now suffering terrible restless legs that keep me up for hours at night! Also terrible nightmares. I was on 50 mg and am now down to 35 mg but it isn’t easy is it. Good luck to you and all of us on this awful drug.
Hello everyone, It has been such a relief to find this site and read about the various withdrawal symptoms from quitting amitriptyline. I started Endep (amitriptyline) in April 2014 for fibromyalgia and constant tension headaches. I’ve been taking 12.5mg each night up until 2 weeks ago when I decided to quit. Endep did improve my sleep immensely and the occasional migraines I used to get, ceased. But the tension headaches remained and I still had some physical fibromyalgia pain. After reading other comments here I am wondering if my weight gain is connected to taking Endep.
I decided to quit because I want to stop taking so much medicine and find more natural ways that promote restorative sleep. Since I was on such a low dose, I didn’t think I would need to quit gradually. But, even quitting 12.5mg cold-turkey has resulted in a fair number of the withdrawal symptoms outlined here! In the first few days I had extreme body pain, my tension headache became much worse than usual so much so that I was almost in tears. I had dizziness and felt vague, too.
Those symptoms went away but these past 2 weeks I’ve had trouble falling asleep, with racing thoughts, and then I keep waking up at odd times like 3am or 4am thinking it’s morning. If just quitting 12.5mg results in these withdrawal symptoms, then my heart really goes out to those coming off higher dosages. I truly wish everyone all the best. I am not a resident of my home-country (which is where I was prescribed Endep on my last trip there).
I live in Japan where Chinese medicine is regulated by the government as prescription medicine made only from plant matter (and, rarely, some kinds of sea shells I believe. Today I’m starting a Chinese medicine that aids falling asleep. For anyone who can read Japanese it’s called: ジュンコウ帰脾湯FCエキス細粒医療用. I hope that gives positive results. Thank you for letting me share my experience here and read about other people’s too. Wish the absolute best for you all.
I’ve been on this drug for migraines for about 3 years. My doctor started me on 10 mg, then 20, 30, then 50. I’ve been on 50 mg for about a year and a half and I really just didn’t even find this medicine effective for something like migraines now. I withdrew off of it over about a month’s time (cut my pills in half), then just stopped. This was just recently and I feel terrible.
I’ve had a headache every day since I’ve stopped it, lightheadedness and dizziness, my muscles have been feeling weak, and I’ve had really bad nausea. I thought it was just me and my body going crazy and had to search this stuff up. And also not to scare anyone, but while withdrawing from medications and stuff, keep an eye on your blood pressure!
Hi all, I started on Ami a year ago at 25 mg and went up to 100 mg a day for migraines. Well, I was diagnosed with migraines and it turns out, I was having chronic tension headaches with anxiety/panic attacks on the side. So I had a throbbing one sided headache (not head splitting but very irritating) with dizziness, nausea, rapid heart rate, depersonalization, shakes, etc.
Every few days I would be wracked with anxiety that there was something wrong with my head even after ruling that out. Anyways, I had terrible dry mouth for months which sounds minor, but I could barely say a few sentences without needing water. Plus, it made me zombie-like and I gained 20 pounds. So, I tapered myself down to 75, then 50, then 25 in one month and now I have not been taking it for 3 days.
I have not noticed any major symptoms yet; I was expecting insomnia since it knocked me right out every night. My sleep is a bit lighter but I suspect if my anxiety comes back, I will look into other medications that are more targeted at that. Ami did nothing for my tension headaches. I do not think my body reacted much to the meds, even on 100 mg. Everyone is different and I guess I was not that sensitive; also I was taking it for something I did not have! Good luck to the rest of you.
As I am reading all of these comments,I am almost in tears. I’ve felt like I was going insane for the last month! I’ve been taking 25mg at night for about 3 years for pain. It hasn’t been really helping anymore and I asked my primary how to taper off it since I was done. She told me to stop and I should be fine since I’m on such a low dose. I was fine for about a week.
One night I woke up shaking so bad with a massive headache that I went to the ER. They gave me IV Reglan for my headache and sent me on my way. Well that was just the tip of the iceberg! I’ve had nausea,vomiting, migraines, dizziness, panic attacks, shaking, and a feeling like my head is fuzzy. This is over a course of 1 month. I’ve had cat scans and MRI to rule out tumors and aneurysms, because of the head pain.
It’s been 1 months today and most of those symptoms are gone I still have the foggy head and panic attacks. I don’t know how much longer this can possibly go on but I have an appointment with my doctor in two days and I’m going to confront her. This has been absolutely horrendous! I would never wish this on another soul. Doctors need to be more aware of how bad this can be. And they need to inform us that this is in store one day down the road!
Hello Kate B, My son has been titrating down from amitriptyline but his migraine became so bad we took him to the ER. They also gave him IV Reglan. Since that visit, he has not been able to quit shaking. His anxiety is horrible. Is there anything that you found that helped? Have you tried any natural detox programs? Judy C
I have been on a relatively low dose of amitriptyline for about a year (for persistent neck pain). I stopped taking it over a week ago, thinking it wouldn’t be bad (as I was only taking 10 mgs nightly), but I was wrong. I’ve felt extremely nauseous and have experienced really frightening heart palpations. My stomach is continuously rolling and gurgling and I feel like I’m in a fog. I’m finding it difficult to travel on a car or a bus as I feel so sick and dizzy; I almost vomited on a bus the other day. I’m hoping I’m over the worst now and am determined to come off it now.
I have been on 75mg for about 20 years which is worrying me greatly for sleep problems. I have tried to stop many times over the years but ended up taking again due to very bad sleep problems working full-time can’t cope with no sleep. I stopped them very gradually over the last two months and stopped finally a week ago. Really struggling crippling anxiety, insomnia and terrible shivers which I can’t get any relief from. Anyone got any suggestions I am determined to stick with it, thanks for all sharing your experiences.
Just want to share my experience of Endep (amitriptyline) withdrawal for anyone else that goes through it and is desperately googling for help/more information (as I did!). I was on 50mg of Endep for about 3 years for headaches. Decided to come off of them as I hadn’t been getting headaches. Tapered off over 2 weeks, which in hindsight was too quickly but they were all the tablets I had and I didn’t want to go back to the doctor for more. Once I stopped taking them I didn’t notice any change for the first week or 2.
After that though I started feeling really really lethargic, nauseous, emotional, depressed, hungry, on the brink of tears all the time etc etc. I had just started a new exercise/eating routine though so didn’t think too much of it just thought it was my body getting used to the changes I was making. But it just kept getting worse to the point where I was crying over nothing and wanting to make some life choices (quitting the job that I love!) over a ridiculous little thing that happened. That’s when the penny dropped that maybe the Endep had affected me more than I had realized.
So about a month after I had stopped taking the Endep I went to my doctor for a check up, just to make sure that there was nothing physically wrong with me. She did blood/pregnancy tests, etc. and listened to my complaints. She told me I was depressed, but physically all OK. She said the only way to know if it was Endep withdrawals was to go back on the tablets and see if the symptoms stopped. Hell no cos I don’t want to have to start all this again! So I decided to battle on!
I made sure I was getting lots of sleep. Crackers helped my nausea and I steered clear of milk or anything that made my stomach churn. Made sure to go for some nice little walks (doctors advice, apparently brisk walks are good for depression). Talking to my boyfriend and my boss really helped. I took multivitamins to make sure my body was getting everything it needed. And I made sure NOT to make any drastic decisions and generally just be kind to myself and give my body time to adjust.
I would say the nausea and depressed feelings got worse still over the next week, but knowing that it was just the Endep withdrawals really helped! Then the depression started to lift and I would wake up feeling amazing in the mornings!! So much better than when I was on Endep! Its now been about 6 weeks since I stopped taking Endep and I still feel a bit nauseous, still can’t stomach even the thought of coffee lol! But otherwise I am back to loving life again. :)
If you are considering coming off Endep, I would really really suggest that you do your research on tapering down slowly. It really does affect you more than you realize! If you’re like me though, and tapered off really quickly thinking it was no big deal and are now wondering if you’re going crazy… Go to your doctor to make sure nothing is physically wrong with you. Then just be kind to yourself. Do what your body and mind will let you and just ride it out. You’ll start to feel better eventually :) Good luck!!
Thank you so much for sharing. I had been on 50 mg for migraines for about 2 years. Got tired of being a slave to medications. Started weening off per my doctor, but after reading everyone’s comments, my doctor had me tapering off too quickly. It’s been 2 weeks since I took the last pill. Sleep seems foreign, headaches are terrible, I vomit all day and my muscles feel like they are on fire.
I was going to the gym 3-4 times a week before I quite taking amitriptyline, but because of the withdrawal, I’ve barely been. Reading everyone’s journey through this has made me motivated to get back in the gym and just power through it. I’m also gonna look into natural remedies for some of my symptoms. Having a significant other who is understanding and very supportive has DEFINITELY helped, especially in those moments where I feel like an over emotional meat sack. Lol
Hi Heather, I am currently on a 50mg dosage for migraine for almost 4 years. I’ve been wanting to come off the drug for some time now and would really appreciate your advice. Thanks!
Really nice to find this site. What with all the really bad news about anti-cholinergics coming out I’m sure there will be a lot of new participants here like me. I’ve taken 50mg a night for six years, for insomnia. I tried to reduce my dose to 35mg in one swoop last November (because of weight gain) and failed. Too tough, too much insomnia and mind fog. Now with the additional medical news about tricyclics and other anti-cholinergics I have to try again. The information here about cutting back ten percent a month is good. However, is there a 5mg pill of amitriptyline? I thought 10mg was as small as they come, and they’re so small it’s hard to cut them in half.
10mg is as small as they come. My doctor told the pharmacist to make it into a liquid if they needed to in order to reduce by 5 mg. I’m still on 20mg so I’m not sure what they will do.
Hi Robert, when I first started taking it the doctor had me increasing on 5mg increments. The smallest tablet is 10mg but he told me to get a little pill cutter from the pharmacy to cut them in half. So easy and I couldn’t imagine trying to cut those tiny little tablets any other way! :)
I was on 25mg and have been dropping by 2.5mg and 2mg drops. This has been made possible by a razor blade, a jewelry scale, and some capsules to put the pieces in.
Hi, Robert! Wal-mart has a little plastic pill cutter, with a permanently installed stationary blade for about $1. Open lid; push tiny pill all the way into small “v” of groove; close lid on pill lightly; then do a quick judo-chop on the lid. It will deliver you a perfect 5 mg half tab!
I was on 100mg at bedtime, for the past 15 months. Back in December I started decreasing 25mg every two weeks. I have had severe insomnia, fatigue, nausea, achiness since. I was tired of the weight gain though and just want to get off. My doctor suggested I go off the last 25 mg by reducing 5mg every two weeks. I hope that helps, part of me wants to just quit taking it and get it over with.
I’ve been on 20mg for the past 3 years for migraines and they stopped working. My doctor asked me if I wanted to come off them so I agreed. He didn’t explain how to stop taking them so I just stopped last week – cold turkey. I’m feeling sick, tired and have diarrhea. Hoping these symptoms go soon!
I had been taking 25mg daily for over 6 years for head and neck pain and had tried a few times (unsuccessfully) to come off it in the past but I went cold turkey just before Christmas. I’m now at week 6 and the headaches are worse now than ever! I honestly thought coming off what I considered a small dose wouldn’t be a problem! How naive was that! I’m close to begin taking them again and have to force myself not to, distract myself in some way, take a paracetamol for the headache just to take the edge off. Do something! Anything but taking that drug again! I do not know how long this will last, although the nausea and itching has eased, so hopefully that means there is light at the end of the tunnel? Don’t give up!
Hi Christina. You seem very strong and determined like a lot of people before us. I was only on Amitriptyline for just under a year and coming off 70mg is so much worse than I could have imagined. I too am having headaches, terrible weakness and pain all over and the insomnia due to restlessness is the worst I have ever experienced.
Even so I will never take another piece of that poison ever again! When this is over I am going to look into natural ways of pain management involving exercise and healthy eating. I would rather suffer the back pain and figure out ways to cope than ever do this to my body again. It really is’nt worth it. Stay strong. You have given me hope. -Jo
Hi Christine, I quit taking 25 mg of Amitriptyline cold turkey around the 15th of January and I have all the same symptoms you had/have. I was wondering since you stopped a few weeks before me if your symptoms have gone away or gotten any better because mine seem to be getting worse. I have found mild relief with valerian root which has similar effects on the nervous system to amitriptyline but I can’t take it in the day because it makes me so tired. Feel free to respond here or email me as I have had a rough time lately and any information would be useful.
Hi Scott, sorry to butt in on your conversation with Christine, but I’ve been taking Amitriptyline for 4 years 25 mg for bad heads, tapered off over a couple of weeks, finished last Sunday. Felt OK first of all, now a week later I ache, can’t sleep, permanent headache, not happy in my body! Can you tell me about Valerian root, is that in tablet form and what is it used for, the feeling sleepy sounds good. Many thanks. -Janie
Scott, I discontinued 25 mg Amitriptyline cold turkey on on July 16, 2015. I was using it for Fibro and to help sleep since 2008. I took only one pill at night and there were many times I would forget to take it. I have been been feeling chronic and acute motion sickness, dizziness since I discontinued the med. I have been to my PCP several times as a result. She feels at this point, it would be prolonged for me to be experiencing withdrawal from the med. I am wondering how long it took for you to start to feel better. Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated!!
I am starting my fourth month after quitting. At first I had all the symptoms, most of all the head stuff, insomnia, and restlessness is the worst. I started feeling better, currently I am having residual withdrawal symptoms about two nights a week. The rest of the time I feel so much better. It is worth it to hang in there. I agree change diet to nourishing foods, exercise no matter how little, stretching, mild yoga, relaxing walks, and meditation. treat yourself well because you probably haven’t before.
Pretend if you have to that you are at a spa, and take special nourishing care of yourself. There are a lot of spots you can reach to message if you only learn to care. Highland’s Homeopathic products have helped me; especially Restful Legs at night. Nerve Tonic seems to help heal frazzled nerve endings. I too am very grateful for this website, walking through this alone, I would not have made it.
I have been taking 50 mg for 15 years for peripheral neuropathy. It didn’t help the leg pain and burning feet as much as it helped me to sleep. I ran out 2 weeks ago and can’t sleep. I started taking Cymbalta a month ago which may be helping some of the withdrawal effects. I have been getting muscle pain in my legs and didn’t know that it could be from withdrawal. It’s good to know that I’m not going crazy so thanks for that and the melatonin tips. One side effect that hasn’t been mentioned is a feeling of a lump in the throat. It’s like there is food stuck but there isn’t anything there. I don’t know think that there is anything that can be done about it except time. Walking has helped me with the restlessness. Time will tell with the rest.
Hi Scott, just wanted to know how you are getting on? I was only on 25mg for 5 weeks which I quit cold turkey. It’s now been 6 weeks since I quit and I’m really struggling with my sleep. Valerian root seems to be helping a bit. Just really want to know how much longer this will last really. Most of the other symptoms are going which is a good thing but the lack of sleep is horrible. I’ve found meditation to be helpful also and nice hot relaxing baths. If anyone could give some advice I would be grateful. Good luck to everyone getting of this drug. Thanks.
I was on 70mg of Amitripyline and 8 x 30/500 co codamol a day for chronic back pain. I quit both cold turkey 4 days ago because I don’t want to be taking drugs for the rest of my life. I am 44. I am having terrible withdrawal symptoms. I can cope with the diarrhea and just about bear the pain in my back but I haven’t been able to sleep, not even a wink since I stopped!
My whole body is restless as soon as I lie down and I can’t stop moving my arms and legs. It’s so much worse than I realized. This is my 3rd full night without sleep and I am worried about how long this will last. I have been crying tonight with frustration. I feel as though my body needs sleep to repair and recover but I can’t relax. I hope this doesn’t last for too long. It’s wearing me down.
I was on 50 mgs of amitriptyline for three years due to nerve damage and pain. Then I had an abscess on my spine and was very depressed: the dose went up to 150 mgs. I felt as if everything was a dream and had trouble concentrating, functioning and dealing with anxiety. They swapped me to another drug gradually and it was like I was a different person; all my friends said the old me was back, though the depression and anxiety were worse. Now I’ve come off the last 25 mgs of amitriptylene and have permanent headaches, feel like I have flu, can’t sleep, etc. Seems like even 25 mgs needs tapering off.
I stopped taking amitriptyline (60mg) a few days after Christmas after seeing my consultant re fibro. I had asked if I could try something else as the amitriptyline was not helping, (I had been taking it for 3+ years). I stupidly went cold turkey never thought to do it gradually. The first 2 weeks felt like there was a party going on in my head, but that has passed and although sleeping is still a problem, I feel so much better and even friends have commented on how much brighter I seem to be.
I was on a low dosage 25 mg for several years I tried tapering, one half dosage, 12 mg for 2 weeks, then I stopped completely. And this was before I did any research on withdrawal symptoms… the vomiting was my main symptom. When I awoke, and got up, my stomach started rolling, had to run to the bathroom, and threw up… this was horrible. I threw up more times during withdrawal than I have in my entire life. It went on for 6 days so I resumed the 25 mg. Within 2 days I was A-OK.
My doctor took me off cold turkey after 15 years of use. I was off a total of 15 days and it was hell. I couldn’t sleep the whole 15 days. I went back to doctor he had to put me back on I was a wreck couldn’t eat sleep or work in that condition. I was also very emotional which made people think I was crazy. I lost 10 lbs in 15 days because I wasn’t eating. But guess what I’m back on the meds couldn’t function.
By default; (new medicine cost increase: was $8 w/Ins., now $95 w/Ins.) after 20 yrs use 300mg at night for pain and stress, I’m 5 days into my ‘Cold Turkey’. Checked in to see what I might be in for!! The list of accidents and the many highly stressful situations my body and mind have been through, reads like a Sears Catalog. I’m going back underground, I’ll keep a record and check back in when I surface. HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR US. Thank you all very much for your insight.
Hi Gerry, His grace is definitely sufficient for us, amen. Thank you for your post. I have only started to come off this drug, and I’m feeling so ill. I am determined to do this because this is no life at all. I will be praying for you and you will achieve this. God bless.
I quit cold turkey the other day. I am over the weight gain. I was taking it for Fibro so I was only on a low dose. I was awake for 36 hours in a row. I’ve got a lot of joint pain but I have lots of energy. I find it easier to cook and eat healthy food, whereas before I was so tired ALL the time and hungry all the time I just ate crap. Hoping I will lose the 20kg I put on while taking this medication now that I’ve come off it.
Hi Georgia. How long were you taking it for? And at what dosage? I just stopped the 10mg a day that I was only on for a few months and just woke up in the middle of the night feeling like I was going to die! Seriously freaking out and feeling anxiety unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before! Praying it subsides quickly as I have a 1 year old and am preparing to move house so i desperately need rest!
I’ve only been on 10mg too and the doctor didn’t even hesitate or mention any withrawals at all when I told him I waned to stop taking it after 4 years. I stupidly didn’t even consider withdrawals and the doctor didn’t suggest tapering at all. I’m so mad about the lack of advice. I’m only 4 days in and the body aches and nausea are unbearable. When I think about this lasting months I think it would be easier to just go back on the prescription. Hope it gets better soon for everyone.
Hi Teagan, don’t give in to this medication!! I’m going through the same symptoms described above and it has been hell for me but I’m determined to get off this poison once and for all. I’m now on 5mg nightly and in another week, I’ll be on 5mgs every other night and remain on that for a month. After that I’ll be on 5mgs every two nights and so on until I’m off completely.
I honestly can’t wait!!! Doctors should advise their patients of how difficult it is to withdraw from his horrible medication. I curse the day I ever got on it for insomnia. Good luck!
Auria, good for you! Don’t give in! This drug is just not fit to take. And if it takes a few months, at the end you will be so much healthier for getting this med out of your system… Cheers!
My heart was pounding to the point of madness which created more anxiety then I already have! I told my doctor and she told me to stop the medication and not to taper because I am on the same low dose. How long did it take you to feel better?
Hey there Georgia, I have Fibro too, and gained weight with this pill! I have been off it for 2 weeks…OMG the tingling all over, nerve pain (hates my clothes touching me)…hows your nerve pain now? And energy?
I have quit cold turkey for about a week now. I have Fibro, Carpel Tunnel and Neuropathy, so many things I have lived with daily and for many years from pain . I am also on other pills for pain. The itching has been driving me crazy for the last 4 days and mostly nights. Oh how awful. Cold~ Equate Advanced Recovery Skin Care Lotion (from Wal-Mart) is helping the itching somewhat. I also have terrible stinging and numbness from my fingertips to my knuckles. The lotion helps if massaged rigidly into my fingernails and fingers working upwards, not downwards. I am going to do my best to get off this medication as the price went up so drastically. I will be so thankful when this is over with.
I’m into my 4th week of cold turkey. The choice wasn’t mine. I’ve had the awful itching for about a week now. I have bad allergies anyway but nothing is working. I was told to try medicated extra-dry skin Gold Bond lotion. It helps a lot longer then anything else has. The aloe and vitamin E seems to give me relief for a couple of hours then put it on again. At this point anything is worth trying before I’ve scratched my eyes out and skin off.
I’ve been on amitriptyline for years now, the only thing I liked about it it did help me sleep but my mouth was so dry I could hardly stand it. I was up to about 75 to 100mg and then I would cut them in half some. I know a nurse that told me they give amitriptyline to ALS patients to dry up their secretions.
So that’s why I wanted to get off because my mouth was so dry. So about a month ago my doctor and I agreed I would to get off it then he went on vacation and was supposed to start me on a similar one to help me sleep and he forgot to send it in so I did not take any other new ones. Forgot to mention I went on Paxil and did not like that and did taper off that because it was a low dose, so I was actually on two anti-depressants of the same time for a short time.
I had a few amitriptyline’s left but as I said they were at a high dose then I just stopped. I think this is been less than a month and I just wanted to say I started getting nauseous and then I got excruciating headaches which move around. Now for about 4 to 5 days I’ve had diarrhea so much I’ve been writing it down to keep track and nauseous cramps flu like symptoms sometimes itching of the skin and scalp.
I was crying a few days ago I had no idea what was happening and I just had decided to look up what happens if you don’t taper off and anti-depressant. So I figured out that’s what’s been going on and then hearing about all this problems with the amitriptyline. Actually makes me feel better because I was going crazy right now.
I am still very sick I’ve had to miss work my head is pounding like it’s squeezing and I am going to the doctor tomorrow. I don’t know if they give you something else to help you taper off but I will never take amitriptyline ever in my life!! Good luck to all and I hope this can help all of you some!!
Hi, I was on this drug for anxiety and bad stomach spasms for over a year. I was up to 150mgs a day and felt like a zombie. It didn’t really seem to help the pain or anxiety, however we cut the dose, found the source of my anxieties and I was ok, no pain and little anxiety. I decided to go off this drug three weeks ago, as I really didn’t think it was doing my body or mind any good. I have had weight gain and I haven’t been able to find the motivation to finish my studies.
I tapered off over a week and have been off the drug for 2 weeks. At first I felt good, just normal nausea, but this week the anxiety and restlessness are bothering me and this worries me, I guess that’s the nature of my condition, but i am determined to be drug free. What I have not been doing and this information has reminded me, is to exercise, sleep more and eat well. Instead I’d worrying about my anxiety, I am going to be proactive with my health, thanks so much.
I have been on various doses for about 5 years and stopped almost 4 weeks ago. I tapered very quickly, over 3 weeks and then quit. My experience has been shocking, the panic attacks are almost unbearable – yesterday I ended up in hospital having an ECG as I have been convinced I am about to have a heart attack…shocking palpitations and unreal anxiety. I am trying so hard not to go back on but find these withdraw symptoms incredibly frightening!!! I just wish I could find some information on how long this is going to last for??? I desperately need some support here. What a dreadful drug!!!!
Awful. All the above symptoms and my doctor told me I would have no trouble coming off of it. This is my second attempt and I gave up after less then a month. I took my full dose and finally felt like a human for the first time in weeks I could actually sleep!
I’ve been taking 25mg for roughly a year for chronic pain and when I said to my doctor I want to come off it he only said to do 10 mg for some time, but no special advice on how to taper it down. He didn’t even warn me about any side effects at all. I stopped cold turkey while on holiday as I thought it would make it harder to sleep through the night and I thought I could deal with that when I’m at the beach.
It was hard to sleep for a week or so, but I got through that. But I didn’t know about any of the other side effects… I thought I had food poisoning because I had very bad nausea for like a week. Then about 10 days ago I started to get dizzy. Then I freaked out whilst watching a theatre performance…
Then last Friday I had a fully blown panic attack and I ended up at the emergency dept of the hospital because I couldn’t stand on my feet and I was sure I was going to pass out. It was the scariest experience ever in my life!!! and it’s been terrible ever since. I’m constantly anxious, nervous every time I leave the house, can’t work. I feel an absolute disaster. Today I left a work meeting as I was just about to have another panic attack.
And the worst about all of this was that I didn’t know why all of this was happening to me. it was just so sudden and did not make any sense at all. have I known that these were the withdrawal side effects at least I would have not been terrified that I was losing my mind. Thank God I thought about the possibility that this may have something to do with me stopping the medicine.
At least now I know I’m not going mental. Is there anyone out there who can say how long does it take for the symptoms to disappear?
Went off cold turkey. It’s been 2 months still can’t sleep. Dr has given me sleeping pills can only get 3 or 4 hours been to the emergency room 2times heart pounding and racing. Also shakiness and anxiety. Getting exhausted can’t do anything but lay on the couch. Any idea how long this will last?
Same for me Pat. I was on 50mg/day for over 10 years for chronic migraines and then my doctor retired. Well my new guy said it’s an outdated medication and I need to stop taking it. Never told me I was going to go through all of this. Shaking, haven’t slept in 2 weeks, dizziness, nausea, heart pounding, no energy, can’t eat.
My boss called me to her office today to ask what is wrong because she is worried about me. I was so embarrassed!! I called the Dr. office and said this is NOT going to work. Are there options to not go through this? does anyone know? Haven’t heard back from the Doc yet. :(
I am so thankful for coming across this site. It’s been a few weeks since I have tapered off at first then just quit. Every thing listed as a side effect I have been dealing with. I really had no clue what was the matter with me. I feel better now knowing that I am not alone…and hopefully it will get better!
I have been taking this drug at a very high dose. My doctor had me quit cold turkey 5 days ago. I can’t sleep I’m groggy and worse of all I’m afraid I will kill someone or myself. I hope I’m around next week to give an update.
Charles, praying you got through your battle getting off Elavil. Please share with us how you’re doing.
Hi Charles, I just read your comment, and I hope you’re doing okay. I’ve taken drug every night for about 7 months at 100mg for migraine headaches, and my withdrawal symptoms are terrible. I’m so nauseous and shaky that I don’t know what to do. Take care please.
Charles I am trying to get off Elavil too. I pray that God will hold you in his arms and get you through this.
I have been on amitriptyline for almost a year, taking 100-150 mg as a sleep aid. I thought I was getting dementia because my memory was so bad, I left the house with my clothes on inside out. I’ve reduced the dose by 50mg and feel really depressed, suicidal and what’s worse, angry. I hate who I have become, I’m normally a gentle and compassionate person, and I feel like an out of control megalomaniac!!!
I love God, so I’m going to pray for everyone here, that you all come off this disgusting medication and that you become healthy and full of joy in Jesus Name. Amen. Love you all, you can do it.
Charles, it does get better, but it takes time. I’m off the drug now for 4 weeks after taking 25 mg every night for 20 years for migraine prevention. This is a terrible drug…the weight gain, the cravings, etc. And coming off the drug is terrible. Sleeplessness, dizziness, flu like symptoms, and the list goes on.
I cried all through the first weekend and then I had anger spurts… I can’t believe that doctors actually prescribe this med. I still am feeling wooziness most days, the itching comes and goes. But at least I’m off it. Eventually, it will get out of my system, although I think it will take a few months before I am completely clean. Hang in there everyone. It will get better!
I took 150 mg a day for three yrs. I just stopped 5 days ago and I’m physically a wreck. I hope this doesn’t last too long.
I am in withdrawal right now, and thank God for this site because I didn’t know what was happening to me. I have had a lot of problems because I had to quit cold turkey after 5 yrs of use.
Me too…hang in there!
Anne What type of withdraw symptoms are you having? I have been on amitriptyline 25mg for 6 years and ran out and basically went cold turkey off of it for 2 weeks and experience bad withdraw symptoms. It started out as itching then my wife rushed me to the ER cause it was hard to breath and I am still having issues with breathing. I have only been back on it for a week.
Chris, same here! I took 25 mg for almost 2 years. Stopped cold turkey at doctors request (am no longer seeing that Doctor) it started with facial flushing and I began with a new symptom each day until eventfully after about 2 months of being without the medication it became difficult to breath. It was like an air hunger type deal.
I just feel like I can’t get enough air. I started about 8 weeks on 10mg and was still having on and off breathing issues so I began 25 mg almost 2 weeks ago. I still have some difficulty but it’s not constant. I am also wondering how long this will last as it is HORRIBLE. If much rather have any other symptom than feeling like I can’t breathe.
Thank you very much for this information. This gave me courage to make peace with the withdrawal symptoms. Hugs.
I have been on this for 4 years at a low dose of 25mg for pain! For the last 6 weeks or so I’ve been slivering down the mgs until it was a few grains of powder! Even after cutting it way back and now free of taking any at all for the last 2 weeks I still have side effects that are listed above! I’m never going back on this crap no matter what because truthfully it did little to nothing for pain and I’m tired of the compromise one has to give for using this crap! Not once was it explained that it would take so long to get off of! Had I known this early on I wouldn’t have used it in the first place. I know better now!
I agree and I feel so ill. I was on 10mg hcl three times per day for only one month and the side effects were simply unbearable as the medication began to take affect. My doctor told me to stop the medication without tapering because it is such a low dose. I pray this issue doesn’t last too long. I have lost 25 lbs in one month and she didn’t even notice when I saw her. Disappointing. I wish she had taken the time to explain the side effects and withdrawal consequences. Sad. I am afraid to take any psychotropic drug again.
Hi Tina, Thanks so very much for your and also everyone’s input. I, like you, have also have been on 25mg for 15 plus yrs. I plan on taking myself off slowly, first half, then quarter pill, then slivers as you put it for 2 weeks each. I am also taking myself off of gabapentin (from 300mg on down). I hate taking meds and feel like they are a lot of people’s problems in how they feel. TOO MANY SIDE EFFECTS!!! Good luck to everyone fighting to be more healthy!
After seeing the new studies about amitriptyline and increased risk of dementia I’ve decided I’ve got to get off this drug. I take a very low dose, 10 mg a night, for insomnia and I have been on it 10 years. I am almost 56 years old and don’t have any memory loss, in fact I just started a whole new career 3 years ago and am doing great.
I am terrified of the insomnia that may come back, though I have to admit I don’t sleep all that well on it either lately. But the risk of dementia scares me even worse. My mother had Alzheimer’s, the early stages (she died of pancreatic cancer) I know that sleep is just as important in preventing dementia diseases as getting off this drug, but I am scared now.
Because I have to work, and work is very high stress, I need to do this very very very slowly. No cold turkey for me. But I am scared. I am looking at the Bach products to replace this drug for sleep. Melatonin did not help me.
Forgot to add. I’m worried about the pain level going up too. I have fibromyalgia. But I am that scared of this “harmless” drug I am willing to risk that too.
I have been on amitriptyline for over 25 years at 25 mg. Started because it was recommended for fibromyalgia. Ran out and didn’t get over to pick up refill for 4 days so I decided not to. Cold Turkey. Quit smoking after 30 years and Vioxx after 3 or 4 years cold turkey. Day 6 today and dizziness and dry mouth are gone. Having sleep problems but that will goo too. Let’s get healthy without drugs. They are worse than the symptoms in the long run.
Hi Ann B, You sound a bit like me. I also have been on elavil 10mg for about 10-12 years for fibro pain and for insomnia. I also have fears of dementia after hearing of the link to Alzheimer’s and amitriptyline. I have been trying to taper off but it is difficult and have experienced increased muscle spasms in neck and head and jaw along with anxiety and some forgetfulness. Scary. I am determined to get off of this eventually and the support group helps you to realize you are not alone and to not give up.
I have been on 25 mg a night for 25 years. I started taking it to relieve bladder pain when nothing else would, and it worked! But, after reading about its possible connection to dementia, I don’t want it anymore. My mom is in last stages of dementia, and it’s horrible.
Yesterday I was so depressed that I began to have suicidal thoughts ( both parents in assisted living-sad). This is not my norm, and my husband suggested maybe my meds were causing it, thus my research and finding this site. I had stopped taking them before, but became so depressed that I returned to them, instant relief.
But now I want to be mentally and physically well without this harmful drug. I had no idea it was so dangerous. Before I tapered off. This time I am trying cold turkey. I have a new yoga program daily plus meditation. I am glad I found you guys. Knowing someone understands, is huge! This is day one of no pill. Thank you ☆●○•°
Hi – I quit cold turkey after taking amitriptyline for about 20 years yes it did help my depression and also my sleep but for the past four months I have been suffering with my sleep pattern but I know it will get better. To any one out there don’t take this drug unless the doctor says it is really necessary, hope I have been of some help. -John
Hi,so pleased I have come across this website.I have been on amitriptyline for 14 years and decided to stop it after a few side effects. I had know idea I should slowly reduce the dose and not go cold turkey! It has been 3 weeks now first couple of weeks it was like I had flu, runny nose, really achy joints, watery eyes, not getting to sleep and waking up suddenly, etc. This week I have really had a bad head and pain behind my eyes and when I turn my head I feel really dizzy. I know we are all different.But can anyone help me out there and advise me on how long this will go on for? Thanks. -Amanda
Hi there, I have been taking amitriptyline 100mg for two half years and two weeks ago had bad reaction to the medication, so the next day I went to the pharmacy to see if they had changed carriers and explain the weird reaction I had. They then gave me new prescription and told me to toss the old one and it might be bad batch. I took the new batch for few days and started feeling tingling sensation so I decided to taper off and never want to feel that way.
I just want to feel like myself again. It has been 8 days and still feel same side affects as above, it is not as bad as the first couple days but want to know when will feel myself again. It kind makes you feel like the medication is stuck inside you forever. Do other people feel the same way? Please respond thanks.
For Amanda: For the dizziness, try some divertigo. Available over-the-counter, a natural herbal formula. I’ve just recently stopped taking 12.5 mg nightly for 25 years. It was quite by accident I forgot to take the meds three nights in-a-row; decided to go for “4” and now it’s almost 30 days. Had at least a dozen symptoms listed on this site–some only occurred once or twice, but I know almost all will gone soon. Hang in there–they will leave. Push yourself to get some exercise daily–it really helps.
I’ve taken 100 mg a night for 23 years for massive migraines. I’ve tried in the past to go off but the migraines got so much worse I couldn’t do it. With menopause done, my migrains are finally managable again and I’ve been tapering for about 4 months. I’m down to 25 mg, feel pretty good except a little trouble sleeping, and the dizziness that really just kicked in about a week ago. I’m going to look for the divertigo tomorrow, and hopefully that will help. I want off this stuff SO BAD, but it really did help me for many years. I hope I’m totally off within a month!!! Good luck to all of us!
Been taking since around 1980 for migraine prevention. Began on lower dose but I am on 150 per night now. Not working. Due to anxiety and stress related to death of my mother I have been on 5 mg ambien for about a year and 5 mg Xanax at night for severe insomnia. Due to some changes enacted by Obamacare I was taken off all three of these cold turkey.
My migraines had gotten much worse so a change was in order I guess. Anyway I am having horrible withdrawal. It’s been about a week. I am cold to the bone which is very very unusual for me. Stomach issues, mostly loose stools. Weak and shaky. Depressed. Hoping it won’t last much longer.
Dr has put me on topamax and zanaflex along with desyrel. Hard to quit the old and start new all at once but with the changes in policies in healthcare left me no choice. Anyone had any experience with anything similar?
Divertigo is a drug also. Just because it is called herbal does not make it drug free. You are just replacing one drug with another.
I have been on elavil for 33 years. That’s when my father passed away. I just quit cold turkey. I’m struggling so bad. I don’t want to break over and go back on it. The withdrawals have been very bad for 6 weeks now. But I’m hanging on.
How long did your withdrawal from elavil last? I’ve been off it 6 weeks cold turkey from 50mg a night and feel awful. Thanks. Kelly X
I hoped I wouldn’t see so much of a problem with discontinuing amitriptyline but that doesn’t seem realistic now. After Drs wouldn’t prescribe opiates for my pain I increased my dosage up to 200 mg a night. That has been my dosage for about a year but I have taken it for 17 years. I have tried reducing the dosage gradually but can’t tolerate even 25 mg less for a day.
I start feeling irritable, anxious and in pain if there is any reduction. Now I have been warned that if I don’t stop taking it I won’t live more than a year 2 tops because it is causing me to have an arrhythmia of the heart that is a killer so I am a ticking time bomb. I can’t believe Drs don’t classify this drug as addictive. I stopped various opiates relatively easily but I can’t stop amitriptyline for even 1 day.
Hi, I’m still on this drug but am planning on tapering it down. I suffer with dizziness (vestibular imbalance to be exact) there are head exercises that a physiotherapist gave me and they help, accompanied by jogging twice a week… Hope you’re feeling better soon!
It can be a long process…I tried weaning off several years ago. Lethargic balance was affected could not stay awake in front of my computer at work. Went to emergency several times and they couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me.
Finally it was suggested that I was withdrawing from amitriptyline that I had stopped 3 months prior. The withdrawals didn’t start right away either not until about 6 weeks after I stopped taking it. I withdrawing now but at least I know what to expect. Good luck to you. Don’t give up.
Hi Amanda, how’s it going now? I was on Amitriptyline for about 8 yrs but started coming off in November, finishing a few days ago. Like you, I also have pains behind my eyes, headaches, nausea and tiredness. However, acupuncture and an intramuscular vitamin shot improved sleep. Just hoping this all subsides sometime soon, good luck with it all. I find GPs pretty clueless on withdrawal, they don’t acknowledge it. -Jane
Thanks for your comment. I’m not sure when you wrote this. But I’m just curious as to how long it actually took you to start feeling completely normal again. I took the drug for 9 years (for insomnia) and starting withdrawing over a 2 month period. I went to zero about 3 weeks ago and still cannot get a full nights sleep now. It’s very tough. The extent of my sleep is 3 hours. I’m in bad shape.
Hey All :) I’ve been on this drug for about 10 years (for insomnia as well) and had gotten all the way up to a dose of 75 mg a day. About 5 years ago, I was only taking 25 mg a day and tried to quit cold turkey and couldn’t get more than 3 hours of sleep a night either. It was horrible! By the end of a week I was having visual and auditory hallucinations that I just couldn’t deal with so I went back on the pills. This time around, I’ve been using Nature’s Way melatonin lozenges and they are helping immensely!
You’re supposed to only take one, but it takes 3 for me to fall asleep right now. I’m hoping to taper that down as the amitriptyline leaves my system completely. But I’m not too worried about it since there aren’t any negative side effects from melatonin. Its only been a couple of weeks so I’m still not feeling great, but without the melatonin, I’d either be suicidal, in the loony bin, or back on the amitriptyline (LOL). Best of luck to you and I hope that helps a bit.
Thanks for sharing. My script didn’t get refilled due to my doctor being out of the office. Have not had a dose for over a week. Thought this is a good time to stop taking this med. I’m unable to sleep but will try the melatonin as you have. Not being able to sleep is the worst. And I also have a ringing in my ears. Hopefully this will all end soon.
I take OTC melatonin 3-5 mg to help sleep on some nights. I only take it every now and then to get a good nights sleep. Works for me just and as good as the amitriptyline for sleep in my opinion.
I quit cold turkey in July and every week I get a symptom. I go see a neurologist on Tuesday. I hope he can help. I can’t sleep or concentrate and have experienced every side effect listed. I’ll be praying for you and everyone who posts on this blog.
Hi Patty. Just wondering how you went with coming off these pills? It’s been 9 days for me and I’m lucky to get 3 hours sleep a night and yet I seem quite energetic still during the day. I’m in pain a lot and my muscles are very tight as I suffer with Fibromyalgia and Migraines. I really hope I can sleep properly soon as my body needs to heal. Plus I have excessive sneezing too as a withdrawal symptom. So frustrating!!!!
I was on this drug for 20 years for migraine prevention – 25mg. Since I quit taking it a month ago, I have had a lot of those symptoms. Still feeling light headed and don’t sleep well. I did have a lot of itchiness for a couple of weeks but that seems to have subsided now. I think everyone is different maybe depending on the length of time you are on the drug and the dosage.
I gained weight and could not understand why I couldn’t lose it. Even though I was eating healthy and exercising everyday, I couldn’t lose weight. I have lost about five / six pounds now without changing my life style. Hopefully as the medication gets out of my system I’ll be able to lose more weight. I have a feeling it will be a few months before I feel completely well again.
How long did the withdrawal symptoms last for you? I took 25mg for twenty years and then stupidly went cold turkey two weeks ago; terrible headaches and dizziness. Did yours go away in time? Thanks very much. -Sheena
I was taking about 300 mg for chronic migraines for almost a year, but it wasn’t helping enough to make the 25 pounds I gained worth it, so I slowly stepped down for about 2 months and stopped taking it. It took about 4 months total for my body to get back to normal. It kind of feels like a constant hangover, but it gets better eventually. It really helps if you increase the amount of water you drink (I drink about 5+ gallons a week) and if you meditate and get sleep. You start to feel better much faster. The weight I gained unfortunately didn’t go away as quickly as I had hoped and Im still working on losing the last 15 pounds. Hang in there
Very true! I wish my doctor would have told me even a low dose of 10mg three times per day for one month was difficult to stop. I had every known side effect which increased my anxiety/panic attacks, depression, and insomnia. I had to page her because the side effects from the medication made me so very anxious and so very afraid to the point where I could not socialize or leave my home. She told me to stop the medication and I feel dreadfully ill.
Thanks John! I’ve been taking it for about 18 years. I didn’t sleep much for a week but slept last couple of nights for three to four nights. I get chills, like I’m a little sick, but I’m starting to feel a little better. Head doesn’t feel as dizzy, but still very weak. Let me know if you’re feeling better and productive. I haven’t been productive, except in writing.
I am so relieved to read all of the other responses here. I have been taking 200mg at night for three years for insomnia and pain management. The weight gain was horrible. I had tried tapering off in the past, but even at the smallest changes the side effects were unbearable. I finally quit cold turkey last week and I’ve had all the symptoms listed here, the fever/cold chills, headache, unable to sleep for more than 2 to 3 hours at a time, nightmares, dizziness, emotional ups and downs basically feeling like I have a hangover and the flu combined with PMS. It’s starting to slowly get better. For me, cold turkey was the way to go.
I have been taking this drug for about 2 months first month 20 mgs 2nd 50 mgs at night. I took it to relieve the pain of Interstitial Cystitis. It made me feel really spaced out so I went cold turkey. My worst symptoms were uncontrollable shivering and flu like feelings, fatigue and lack of motivation. However 2 weeks on I can feel little parts of my day are motivated again and I feel more like my old self. Long may it continue.
I was put on Amitriptyline, 25mg for bladder pain syndrome & have been taking for almost 1 month. Stopped taking 1 wk. ago because I had doubts about continuing this medication. Come down w/flu like symptoms along w/bad body aches & headache.
Maybe I should of weaned myself off as nurse had stated. 2 days on & 1 day off for 7-8 days. Then 1 day on & 1 day off for 7-8 days then twice wkly then once weekly then STOP! I should’ve of NEVER taken a medication you have to be weaned off of! Hope this helps all of you w/ these problems.
After 17 yrs of being on a ventilate up to 9 25mg tabs it became clear they were not helping me but ruining my life. As I had been in therapy w/an excellent Dr (I’ve great relationships w/my life long clinic GP), I knew it was time to seek a new approach & get off this life dulling med. I told my Dr’s of my decision & it was fully supported however he had no advice for me nor of what to expect.
I felt I’d have some insomnia & illness so I tapered over a year from 4-5 25mgs down to 25 (IR). WHAT happened I was wholly unprepared for. Yes I lost the ability to sleep, became ill w/nausea & felt terrible. 2-3 weeks in I developed dizziness, loss of co-ordination to the point of tripping & injuring myself. Disorientation increased over next week’s through the fall & winter. I became violently sock to my stomach at the 3 weeks mark & it was intense enough I felt it was the flu.
However…this 2-4 day matter kept repeating every few days. My illness was becoming worse than I’d noticed. I list 20 lbs in less than 2 months. I felt increases in irritation, emotions but not an increase in depression per se. This has now gone on for nearly 9 months. I feel better emotionally & having better constipation, having saliva again, & less dry eyes was a huge relief.
I’very become involved with multiple Dr assisted entactogen/psychedelic therapy which so far is a blessing. MAPS work with PTSD is key to my success in over coming the debilitating effects of multiple benzos, Aventyl & this I can say: if these meds including SSRI/TCA therapy doesn’t help you… get off them. My therapist states what my extensive research has shown: they simply do not have a long term know how on use of these meds.
Sacred plants have been used safely in a Shamanic context & in modern psychotherapy with true success. I suggest that these endless treatments are just that: without end. I applied many techniques of mediation & mindfullness. My experience is may be not ever ones. ..but placebo effect is likely the obesity thong going for these drugs only early on.
I was told repeatedly these meds were not addictive. They very much are & I am happier without them. Other therapies should be considered for you & you only. Study…look at the new research that has is ongoing at John Hopkins & UCSC among others to see what true healing means.
I too have been on 20 years. I am having muscle soreness everywhere you can possibly think of. Lethargic also. Did you also experience this? Thanks.
Quit cold turkey after a year of taking 50mg to 100mg a night. I have had a lot of pain and fatigue. It’s been hard but I can’t keep gaining weight. So far it has been a week and a half sense I stopped but I have already lost 3 lbs and can’t wait to get the thirty two more pounds off. It’s a lot harder to go off then I was made aware of. But I am on my way to a thinner healthier me. Good luck.
Agreed!! I gained over 20 pounds while on this medicine and it’s been maybe 5 months! Enough is enough sister :)!!
I have been taking it for over a year, but I can’t handle the weight gain!! I’ve just started to wean myself off of it and I am hoping the weight comes off! :)
I’ve been taking Elavil for 6 months for neuropathic nerve pain. It seemed to help a lot in the beginning but the pain has returned. I have put on 13 pounds in the last two months, hence, I have weaned myself off it. I have a difficult time sleeping and when I do sleep I wake up to vivid, crazy dreams. I have also experienced muscle cramps. I do not see that anyone else has mentioned the muscle cramps so I’m not sure if it is related. Good luck all.
I was on 25mg of the Elavil for nerve related pain due to interstitial cystitis for 10 months. I just stopped cold turkey about 3 days ago at the same time as stopping my Elmiron – neither is giving me any relief from this disorder and I’ve gained 20 pounds. I too am having muscle aches all over, legs, back, feel like I have been run over then reversed over for good measure!!!
Hi I have been taking this drug for years and decided enough is enough so tapered down over 6 months and it was tough. The worst I had was sleep deprivation and muscle aches, so I upped my tinctures I take to help with sleep and upped my yoga and meditation which helped immensely. I am now off them and still ache a bit but getting there. I won’t let this demon of a drug beat me though, so give it a go if I can do it anyone can. Just got to be positive as this is poison I am feeding myself… and that’s not good for my soul. Good luck.
I’m weaning now after 6 years. I take it for RSD/CRPS symptoms. I’m also into herbs and essential oils and would like to know what tinctures you’re using. I make my own, also vinegars, oxymels, salves, etc. I’m also pre-menooausal and just started taking red clover tincture. Thanks much!
I had been taking 400 mg of this drug for 30 years and I have successfully been off the pills for 11 months. I went to an MD on several occasions but was repeatedly told to go back on the amitriptyline to relieve the distress of withdrawal. My response was, like hell and now distrust doctors advice as they all seem to be pill pushers.
It has been a horrific struggle and I am still working through the symptoms listed above in the article. I want to do this holistically and I am currently taking supplements and extracts that have helped ease the process but the lack of sleep ( 3 to 4 hours a night) is really taking it’s toll on body and mind. I don’t want to take drugs to sleep but have used benadryl on occasion.
I have also tried melatonin, 5HTP, Gaba, l-Glutamine, Valerian root but nothing seems to work well or not leave me groggy and non functioning. If anyone has any suggestions it would be appreciated! Does anyone know if the body will rebuild natural levels of serotonin or is this a lost cause? It helps to know that there are others going through this and I’m not going crazy!
It used to be thought that you can’t build up serotonin naturally. Now there is a lot of research into the link between probiotics and serotonin. I don’t think they’ve proven anything, but there was an article in Psychology Today I think a year ago about all the research done–Google it. They know a significant amount of serotonin comes from the intestines, and now they think it might be linked to how much/how effective the good bacteria in your gut is.
I think this builds over time and your intestines are enormous, so to repopulate it with bacteria is a long term approach. If you’re going to try it, try one of the larger doses of multiple strains and see how you feel over the course of a few months. Also think about what you’re eating. Very acidic diets can kill off populations in your stomach, so no alcohol, easy on the vinegar, etc.
I have been on elavil 150 mgs for several years. It is a wicked drug and I think it should be banned. It was killing me slowly. I was always dehydrated so badly and was always nauseated every morning. It made me gain a ton of weight. Then the horrific not stop constipation, I could eat 6 extra strength dulcolax at a time, every single day and it did not help at all.
Because I takes all of the moisture out of your mouth and body I think it was starting to damage my kidneys. This med should be banned and it does way more harm than good. I stopped cold turkey two weeks ago and my life is hell. But no matter what and no matter how long it takes to get back to normal, I will never take it ever again, I’ll wire my jaw shut first!
I haven’t slept in two weeks and nothing helps either, and when I do sleep I have horrific or weird dreams and I wake up all freaked out. I’m really clumsy lately too. Today I knocked over two huge glasses of chocolate milk, could be from sleep deprivation. I get weird intense super chills and my head feels weird a lot like my brain is riding solo on a rollercoaster. It’s 7am and I am still up, got no sleep, when I laid down my brain was doing the rollercoaster thing.
I’m going to bed after I send this but I’ll only be able to sleep a few hours at a time and I’ll wake up from a weird dream, and will fall back asleep, and will wake up from a twisted dream, and the vicious cycle will keep repeating itself until I say screw it and just get up, and I will feel like crap yet another day. This med —-s up your brain chemicals and should be banned.
I’d like to force feed my brilliant doctor a 150 mg tablet every night for a year and then see if he will stop prescribing this poison to people. Googled it and the amount of side effects is unreal but yet they keep writing out that script. Like I said no matter how long it takes to get over this I will never take this pill again and for that matter I will never take any antidepressant or any pill that alters the brain chemistry.
What ever happened to the days when people talked about their problems and worked them out? Now the doctors don’t want to do that anymore. They just want to put the world on elavil and Prozac, bury their problems and hide them away in the subconscious and alter our brain chemicals and turn us all in to zombies.
No thanks… my email is jamescwright1960[@]gmail.com. It’s my boyfriends name lol. If anyone ever needs to talk to stick to their guns and get off this wicked crap. Good night…
I stopped taking amitriptyline four weeks ago. I was on 75 mg. a day for 25 years and just stopped. Still feel absolutely exhausted, the fatigue is terrible. I also have numbness in my cheeks and around my mouth which comes and goes as does the heavy feeling in one side of my head. I have this odd feeling where my body feels it’s not woke up properly, like I need to stretch. Tingling in toes and fingers. Diarrhea and nausea. Very weepy, can’t see an end to it. Is this anyone else’s experience?
I was prescribed 25mg to be taken at night before bed because I was stressing about an up-coming legal battle and had trouble falling asleep. Day one I didn’t seem to notice any changes, however – having only been on the pill for 8 nights straight – I soon started experiencing internal tremors, fits of nausea, depressing thoughts, inability to go out in public – THE WORST!!!
I made the decision to stop taking the drug IMMEDIATELY having explained my symptoms to my doctor whom I’m suppose to have a follow-up appointment with at the end of the month. The trouble is that the symptoms are still here – my body trembles, I wake up and want to cry, I feel nervous/anxious/jittery even when I’m just sitting at home. It has been an extremely scary time and I pray that the effects wear off for good very soon.
Some days are better than others, though I seriously wish that I’d never taken Amitriptyline in the first place and chosen a holistic remedy instead. Please let me know how you’re coping and how long it takes until you feel like your old self. I find a bit of relief knowing that I’m not the only one out there who feels this way.
Have your symptoms cleared? So awful! I took it for 5 nights and started having constant dizziness. It’s been 4 days off and I still suffer from dizziness, dropping things. This Rx is horrible!
I have been on amitriptyline for 30 years. I have been as high as 200 mg but currently I have tapered down to 20. Most of the decrease was tolerated well but moving from 30 to 20 as been terrible. I too, have the numbness on my face, vision issues, dizziness, an “unwell” feeling, sleep issues, heart palpitations, etc.
It wasn’t until recently that I realized it was withdrawal and in a way I am relieved. After reading around the web I am going to try several recommendations: fish oil for the brain fog, “Body calm with melatonin” for sleep and I ordered something called JNK Capsules that is supposed to address the weight gain caused by a gene that the drug effects.
I also will try to up the probiotics as that makes total sense. I wish you all well and hope we can get through this! Not easy for sure.
Yes, I’m also going through most of these symptoms. I had taken only taken 30mg per day over the past 3 years for fibromyalgia. It never helped my pain at all. My doctor had told me that I could just stop taking them if I wanted to. I tried doing so, and after just 2 days I thought I was going to die! I had vertigo issues and this constant horrible “whooshing” in my head!
And one day I even had a complete meltdown at work, so badly that I actually got physical with my co-worker and threw a chair across the room! This NEVER happened to me before! So, rather than dealing with that, I started them back up. Still, I wanted to get off them, so about 3 months ago I decided to gradually reduce them by 10mg per month.
I had no issues whatsoever as long as I was still taking them, even at a very low dose. But, about 10 days ago I took the last one and I’ve been dealing with the same symptoms again since then. I also have the dizziness, tingling, numbness in my cheeks and around my mouth, and even my eyes will “stop/freeze” every now and then (that’s scary!!). I have the awful constant whooshing again, and it’s about to drive me crazy!
I have mentioned this to my doctor, and he basically thinks it’s all in my head, and that stopping Amitriptyline “does not cause withdrawal issues”. RIGHT!! *GRRR*!! I have decided to “tough it out” and try to deal with it the best I can. I have been eating healthier and I’m doing a lot of juicing, and I have cut out all wheat/gluten, starches, yeast and sugar.
Just making these nutritional changes has virtually eliminated ALL of my fibromyalgia pains and issues! I will keep on doing what I’ve been doing and hopefully eventually I can get off of all my other meds.
I am now just entering my third week of a cold turkey withdrawal from amitriptyline have been taking it for 25 years originally for arthritis pain. I feel horrific have not slept hardly more than a few minutes at a time I can’t stop itching or crying in other words am a total disaster I keep telling myself it can only get better, but after reading the comments here it would appear that it is going to be a long hard fight. So I am picking up the sword and wish all of my fellow sufferers the strength and endurance to defeat the side effects of going cold turkey… Good Luck!!!
My wife has been taking 50mg of amitriptyline for only 4 years. She’s recently come off them at once. She’s going cold turkey at the moment, and it’s terrible to see her like this. It’s very difficult. I don’t know how you people who have been on these tablets for many years. Just wish I could do something to help.
Hi Dean. I found this post when I was looking for withdrawal symptoms from Amitriptyline. Same as your wife I have been taking 50mg for 4 years. Recent home eye test results stated that due to these, my sight has deteriorated by 50% in 2 years. I wanted to come off them for many other reasons.
Doc told me to go from 50mg to 30mg for a week, then to 20mg for a week, then to 10 for another week. This is supposed to be my last day on them. My Hubby is so patient with me. Experiencing all of the above symptoms. These things are evil.
I hope your wife is feeling better than in December when you posted this. I have found that taking probiotics this week is making life slightly easier. May be psychological, I don’t know yet. I am housebound. Just as well I am, as major anger coming out, not like me at all! All the best to your wife.
Yes I took it twenty years this is my second time coming it. This time I weaned for a year from 75-100 mgs. I stopped in June 2016. Still got insomnia total body sore with muscle aches daytime fatigue, have to take a nap after work some days But try to stay up mostly.
Juicing to sleep more at night. I go to bed at 8 so I can sleep for a few hours… I wake up, maybe be awake 1.5-2 hours then go back til time for work at 5. I had to adjust play games with myself so I wouldn’t get frustrated from missing sleep. So I go early and it helps my mind.
It’s November now maybe by this time next year it’ll be history. I will never take a long term pharmaceutical again in life. And not to eager to take over the shelf. I’m taking herbs and juicing Romaine and Celery to help me sleep. It has helped but the juice shouldn’t be more than 3 days old. Hang in there probably one of the best things we can do is leave it behind. Miy