Neuro pain & SSRI's Vs. Tricyclics?

Wonderfulworld · Post by **Wonderfulworld** » Sat Apr 24, 2010 12:09 pm

I am currently on Amitriptyline (Tricyclic antidepressant) for neurological pain. It has positive effects on the pain, does help my bladder 'calm down' to an extent at night, and I sleep well on it. However, I am wondering about the level of fatigue I have and if I came off it would it help a little.

I don't want to face awful nerve pain again, so I'm just wondering, do SSRI's have any positive effect on nerve pain at all? It's just I was on Seroxat (Paxil) for depression about 9 years ago and I had a lot more energy while I was on it. My MS was just as bad then as it is now.

Any thoughts?

lyndacarol · Post by **lyndacarol** » Sat Apr 24, 2010 12:49 pm

Wonderfulworld -- I am VERY cautious about SSRIs in general and Paxil in particular. My brother-in-law committed suicide 10 years ago after taking Paxil for about one week. I have never heard of any SSRI (Paxil or any other) being used for nerve pain.

In the fall of 2000, I saw a TV program with Dr. David Healy speaking about his suspicion of a link between Paxil and suicide. At that time there was mention of North Wales; I think he was teaching there or at least doing research there -- with a little sleuthing of the faculty there, you might be able to find an e-mail address for him. He may even have published something about this by this time.

I urge anyone considering Paxil to use caution; please research it well.

Wonderfulworld · Post by **Wonderfulworld** » Sat Apr 24, 2010 1:09 pm

Well, it's very sad to hear that Lynda. I have heard of cases being taken against the drug company re. that risk.
The problem I had with it was coming off it. My GP at the time told me there was no need to taper off it, just to stop. I went through absolute hell trying to cope - I was getting 'electic shocks' down my neck and head, my anxiety went off the scale for about a year afterwards. I too would approach with major caution but I'm so tired of feeling so tired on amitriptyline and I did have much better stamina on SSRI's I was just curious to know if they did have a good effect on neurological pain.

Post by **jimmylegs** » Sat Apr 24, 2010 1:50 pm

friend of mine got a bipolar disorder dx with a note on the intake form: "SSRI-induced?" i wouldn't trust the stuff myself..

sams · Post by **sams** » Sat Apr 24, 2010 3:07 pm

hi wonderfulworld.......i have been on amitriptyline for two weeks now. not sure why but was told for numbness. taking 50mg/day. no difference and no side effects. i have no pain, never did, sleep is no problem, tired and in need of a rest during the day. i am numb all over and no use for my right hand, diffucult walking because of feeling on the bottom of my feet and stiffness from the body. far as depressant goes the doc says you need 300mg/day for it to be a antidepression. what do i know? going by what they tell you.

carolew · Post by **carolew** » Sun Apr 25, 2010 5:42 am

In Canada, we now have Cymbalta that is used for pain and/or depression.
you can combine your small dose of Elavil and other antidepressants..ask your doctor, take care and good luck.

Wonderfulworld · Post by **Wonderfulworld** » Thu Apr 29, 2010 6:07 am

Hi Carolew
will def check out Cymbalta, I really am frustrated with how wiped out amitriptyline has me even on the low dose - Sams I seem to react to even low doses of most drugs for some reason. Because I have a lot of fatigue even the slightest addition to it is something I don't want.
Thanks for the suggestion, will definitely discuss with my GP asap.