MTKSS5
Newbie
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 46
Loc: COLORADO
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Hi all....Has anyone had this before??? My doc. prescribed me some today, I have severe nerve damage, he said they would help me sleep, anyways do these things knock you out??? or are they pretty mild??? I got the 10mg., I know every one is different, but any input on these would be helpful.......M
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holden99
Newbie
Reged: 03/23/02
Posts: 39
Loc: Michigan
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I don't have personal experience with this drug but here is some info:
Elavil is prescribed for the relief of symptoms of mental depression. It is a member of the group of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants. Some doctors also prescribe Elavil to treat bulimia (an eating disorder), to control chronic pain, to prevent migraine headaches, and to treat a pathological weeping and laughing syndrome associated with multiple sclerosis.
You may need to take Elavil regularly for several weeks before it becomes fully effective. Do not skip doses, even if they seem to make no difference or you feel you don't need them
Elavil may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Try to stay out of the sun, wear protective clothing, and apply a sun block.
Elavil may cause you to become drowsy or less alert; therefore, you should not drive or operate dangerous machinery or participate in any hazardous activity that requires full mental alertness until you know how this drug affects you.
While taking this medication, you may feel dizzy or light-headed or actually faint when getting up from a lying or sitting position. If getting up slowly doesn't help or if this problem continues, notify your doctor.
The usual starting dosage is 75 milligrams per day divided into 2 or more smaller doses. Your doctor may gradually increase this dose to 150 milligrams per day. The total daily dose is generally never higher than 200 milligrams.
Alternatively, your doctor may want you to start with 50 milligrams to 100 milligrams at bedtime. He or she may increase this bedtime dose by 25 or 50 milligrams up to a total of 150 milligrams a day.
For long-term use, the usual dose ranges from 40 to 100 milligrams taken once daily, usually at bedtime.
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dman22
Enthusiast
Reged: 05/01/04
Posts: 273
Loc: Everywhere
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Yup, It's in a class of drugs known as the older try-cyclic's used to treat depression. It does help some folks go to sleep faster. When I was on it, it was so very difficult to wake up - I just wanted to keep sleeping (hang-over type side-effect). It also made me sick in the morning. I'm no MD, but I have a friend who has severe nerve damage as well and he swears by Neurotin or Klonopin as being better for him. Just my 2 cents. Hope something works for you. 
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misspiggy
Journeyman
Reged: 02/02/04
Posts: 81
Loc: North Idaho
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I have used Elavil several times for sleep. It doesn't knock me out at all but it does help fall asleep. After taking it I will usually become tired within a couple of hours.
It keeps me asleep for a very long time. In fact it is extremely hard to get out bed the next day, I could literally sleep for 16 to 18 hours!
Also, the entire next day I feel a little drugged out. So when and if I take it I make sure I have nothing planned the next day. It is such a restful sleep though, thats the good thing!
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MTKSS5
Newbie
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 46
Loc: COLORADO
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Thanks all for the info!!!!!!!, Dman your friend with the nerve damage can I ask how long it was before he got function back??? this happened a month ago and the docs say it will be close to a year for me to get function of my arm back (mainly wrist function) it is like my whole arm is asleep, and I can not use my wrist what so ever, and in that time waiting I might not even regain full use of my arm (wrist) it is an awful thing to happen, and what caused it is me falling asleep against the arm of my computer chair I compressed my radial nerve, anyone one who has been through this any info would be greatly apprieciated, I am just freaking out about this it is like my arm is paralyzed, It is hard to adjust to, well thanks again you guys for the info............M
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MTKSS5
Newbie
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 46
Loc: COLORADO
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Well I'm about ready to take my first dose, I hope I wake up in the morning LOL, I don't have anything to do in the A.M. thank god, I will let ya all know how long I sleep  ......M
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dman22
Enthusiast
Reged: 05/01/04
Posts: 273
Loc: Everywhere
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He actually still suffers on and off. It was from brain surgery and they actually went through his sinus cavity to do it. Sorry to be so graphic, however, he is quite back to normal. I believe it was some time ago (years) when this surgery occurred, however, he takes Klonopin and Ultram for the nerve pain and does just fine. I hope you get better soon.
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lilstraw
Member
Reged: 03/01/03
Posts: 138
Loc: california
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I have some from a long time ago. I wont touch them they make you sleep like 16 hours then your drugged the next day.
My step daughter comes to visit and she says she has insomnia. I give her some and shes out like a light for 16 hours.
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MTKSS5
Newbie
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 46
Loc: COLORADO
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Well I took one last night and they Didn't knock me out, I even woke up early at 6:30am I couldn't even tell I took them??????? Everyone works different, Dam though I expected to get a good nights sleep..LOL.....M
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dman22
Enthusiast
Reged: 05/01/04
Posts: 273
Loc: Everywhere
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If sleeping is a problem, then I would just tell your doctor that the Elavil doesn't work. If he tries to push Trazodone off on you, since he/she's seems to be already using older drugs to treat you.. I'd have second thoughts. I've found that HMO doctors always want to use the "older" medications for some reason. An MHA told me once that it's because of financial reasons, they have their hands tied and won't script out the newer drug treatments - such as Ambien in this case.
When I changed to an independent doctor, who was more expensive and not in any type of HMO group/plan, I received the most current cutting-edge scripts for my conditions. What a savior he was - when I could afford it. Good luck.
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MTKSS5
Newbie
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 46
Loc: COLORADO
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Yes that seems right, about the type of insurance you have, I am going to tell him they dont work for me I would like to get some ambien, I know that would be affective, He prescribes me Vicodene ES, (only15) He told me to take them at night before bedtime, then he gives me the Elavil???? I think he is trying to give me the Elavil for pain???? because he asked me what I'm doing for pain, (But I did tell him I have a hard time sleeping also) I told him you just gave me a refill on the vicodene yesterday, and whenever I go in there I start crying I cant help it, this wrist is getting to me mentally also, so maybe he thought an anti-deppresant is in order too. anyways thanks for the info on the ambien I hear that is pretty good maybe too good...LOL...I have a high tolerance to most drugs anyway........M
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EAH
Journeyman
Reged: 09/10/03
Posts: 65
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I take these fairly successfully for sleep. 10 mg didn't work for me so 25 mg was rx'ed. That works usually. At first it made me sluggish the next day but that passed. But I've found that for my best result I should take it in the early evening, not bedtime. High fiber foods inhibit absorption so if dinner is going to be just veggies I will even take it a bit before I eat.
My insomnia is more abowt STAYING asleep, not falling asleep. That is where I think this drug has an edge over Ambien, at least for me.
Eee
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joyous
Newbie
Reged: 01/16/04
Posts: 48
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Are you saying that Elavil helps you 'stay asleep' better/longer that Ambien? I have trouble staying asleep too, and my doc and I are trying to find something that will work. Right now I'm taking Zanaflex. I just started taking it, so I think it's too soon to tell, BUT it doesn't keep me asleep through the night. Insomnia is so frustrating and can trigger so many other issues....anxiety, pain, etc.
Thanks for any info,
Joyous
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dmajkc
Stranger
Reged: 10/22/02
Posts: 11
Loc: Heartland of the US
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Excellent medication for neurogenic pain..I ve been taking it at night now off and on for about 15 years. Side effects.. your mouth gets dry, and your appetite increases..especially for SWEETS:)
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EAH
Journeyman
Reged: 09/10/03
Posts: 65
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Yes Joyous, asleep longer. My doctor first had me try Ambien and I was still waking up in the wee hours of the morning. When I said it wasn't working, his response was something like "Well, it's really better for those having problems falling asleep... not waking early" He had me try 10 mg Elavil first and it didn't solve the problem so he upped it to 25 mg and problem solved.
It did take a bit of experimentation on my part to figure out the best time to take it, 12 - 14 hours before I want to wake up is best. And when I first started taking it I WAS a bit groggy in the a.m., but not so much now. From my perscective, if it takes me a few extra minutes in the morning to become bright eyed an bushy tailed it is worth it if I have had a full night's sleep. It does make your mouth/throat a bit dry but another effect is you may be less likely to awake needing to use the bathroom. It also has a mild antihistamine effect I believe.
Maybe newer drugs have replaced Elavil as a first line antidepressant, but it really does have some useful effects.
BTW, I've taken it for sleep for several years and have never needed a dose increase.
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joyous
Newbie
Reged: 01/16/04
Posts: 48
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Thanks EAH,
My Mom takes it too and my doc mentioned it, but then we got sidetracked about all the other meds I'm taking (mostly for pain). Is it something that you need to take EVERY night or only when you have trouble sleeping? I know since the problem is 'staying asleep,' that is a hard question, but I'm just curious. Do you feel any of the 'mood elevating' effects since it's an anti-depressant or does it just help with sleep? Thanks for all the info.
Joy
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EAH
Journeyman
Reged: 09/10/03
Posts: 65
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joyous,
The levels used for sleep (10 - 25 mg) are below the therapeutic levels for depression. Honestly I don't know how someone taking a lot more could get much else done except sleep...
I take it every night. Once in a while I forget and usually I can get one *free* night's sleep. But if I skip two doses I don't sleep. It's not a drug that has zero interactions or contraindications but at such a low dose I'll take those risks for a good night's sleep.
A couple of times (prior to dr.s appts) I would try stopping taking it to see if I would be needing a new script, and altho I don't feel like my mood is elevated by it, I do think I *feel* better when taking it. More physically than mentally. While I don't have any true debilitating chronic pain, I do have quite a few minor to major aches and pains and together they can make me quite uncomfortable sometimes. The Elavil seems to dull that ever so slightly which is great at night.
Obviously it doesn't work as well for everyone as it does for me. I think I pay something like 10¢ a dose so I consider my self lucky that it does work
Eee
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trace
Stranger
Reged: 11/04/02
Posts: 11
Loc: Canada
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Hi there,it's been a while since i have been here . I have had Elavil in my cabinet since last year, i havent taken one because i was too afraid of the side effects.. especially on the heart.. I have skipped beats and have recently gone and had checked out i will find out July 7... hope is all well im still worrying , had to wear a moniter for 24 hrs, but wasnt all that bad i guess.. anyhow i was just wondering if they were ok to take for me. I just got them at the clinic, he didnt know about my heart,,, i still think its just stress ,, and sure because if it was something real bad im sure i would of gotten a call anyhow first post in a while glad to be back love to hear from anyone on the matter.. take care, Oh by the way have had the test done for 3 weeks now.. so i think i should be fine.. I just need to get more than 4 hrs i cant focus anymore and very jittery..Thanks for listening
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MTKSS5
Newbie
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 46
Loc: COLORADO
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the 10mg doesn't work for me either I might take 2 one night and see what that does..........M
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