This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

Just wondering were any of you on amitriptyline for nerve pain and then tried another drug for it? I am keen to explore options for nerve pain because of how tired ami makes me feel.

I've been on low dose amitriptyline 25mg since last Sept after my relapse really increased my right-sided nerve pain.

I have done really well on ami. Pain decreased, sleep better and all that.
I don't like how tired I am on it though. I take it about 8pm so that it's gone from my system by morning, but so I can capitalise on its' sedation for bedtime. It certainly makes me sleep heavily but the tiredness is not gone by morning. It takes until about 11am for me to really wake up - that's why I'm wondering if there is another nerve-pain med that might work on the pain but without exhausting me?

I took ami for a while and I made me feel terrible in the morning just like you. The I tried neurontin but it made me feel bad too. So now I don't take either.

CF

Thanks CF - that's a shame about neurontin, I was hoping that wouldn't be the same as ami.

At one time I took 90mgs of Baclofen, Amy. and Lyrica all at once. Tends to make you a little sleepy. I now only take the Amy. because when I don't I get severe muscle tension headaches.
Terry

I am currently using cyclobenzaprine 10mg for nerve/spaticity etc (generic for flexeril) as an anti-depresent (which ami's prime purpose) i use prozac. There are many pharma drugs to experiment and find the right mix good luck

hi there

I am on amitriptyline 50mg at night, lyrica 150mg twice a day, baclofen 10 mg 3 times a day - have been taking this cocktail for quite some time, and yes, fatigue can be a problem, but it is worse when I am in severe pain, as I can't sleep at all then!
I was on Neurontin before the Lyrica, and for the first couple of weeks, it makes you really tired, drowsy - but I found I settled quite well on it and it controlled my neuropathy at that point. Lyrica is another option - it is a derivative of Neurontin, and aimd specifically at peripheral neuropathy (whereas Neurontin is an anti-epileptic mdication) - also makes you drowsy for the first couple of weeks, but you do also settle down on that, and the dosage can be calibrated so you get a balance between pain control and side effects.
There is a lot of stuff you can try, I would suggest you chat to your neuro about some alternatives. The neurontin and lyrica are very expnsive compared to the amitriptyline and some health plans might not cover them or you might not get them on the NHI if in the UK - I don't know...One way to find out is to get your doc to help you find the right drug for you - living with pain is the absolute worst!
All the best

Appreciate the replies, thank you.

It seems that all of the pain meds mentioned are sedating too. I agree AllyB - it is worse to lose sleep. I think for 10 years I slept dreadfully - I remember staggering into work after 3 hours broken sleep on a regular basis. I wish I'd copped myself on and asked for neurological pain meds before I got that bad.

At least I'm treating the pain now. I think amytrip is really the best one for me at the moment because I am able to function.

I was just hoping a vain hope that there was another (magical!) pain reliving drug out there I hadn't heard of that wouldn't sedate me. I'm seeing my neuro in a couple of weeks and will chat with him then, but by the sound of your replies I think the balance I have now is as good as it gets.

Thanks again for replying.