Myofascial Pain Syndrome Support Group

I take amitriptyline, which is supposed to help with the nerve pain. I am not sure how much it helpds, because I am also doing other things - but it does help me sleep (I take it at bedtime only).

Has it caused any weight gain? I have enough problems with that due to my thyroid.

Hi,

I take cymbalta. If you go to their web site (www.cymbalta.com), you can read their spiel.

Best,
Tink

Cymbalta and Lyrica

I tried cymbalta in the past and had bad withdrawal side effects even though I was taking it everyday. I just went to the Dr. today and she prescribed me remeron. After reading up on it I am pretty annoyed because it causes a major increase in appetite followed of course by weight gain. One of the first things I said to her was please don't put me on anything that will make me gain weight. I already have problems managing my weight due to thyroid dysfunction. Now I am scared to even try it because I am in fear of weight gain.

Remeron is used off label to treat pain. Indeed it causes weight gain.

I'm not a doctor and can't give you that kind of advice. I can suggest that you look into prozac, zoloft and neurontin. (Neurontin is actually an anticonvulsant.) Those three meds are sometimes used to treat pain syndromes. I don't have personal experience to offer - just a few drug facts. :)

Good luck.
Tink

Amitriptyline has not caused me to gain weight (I have the opposite problem, actually), nor is it listed as a side effect. It's an older drug, so it's generic (meaning my insurance will actually pay for it), but there has also been quite a bit of research on it, showing that it does decrease nerve pain. The newer drugs get all the press, but may not be better:(quote)
"Several antidepressants have been efficacious in the management of chronic neuropathic pain, including the tricyclic antidepressants (particularly the tertiary-amine subtypes, such as amitriptyline, doxepin, and Tofranil) as well as Effexor, Wellbutril, and Cymbalta. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have either been less robust (Paxil, Celexa) or lacked any efficacy at all (Prozac)" Hope this helps.

Does the amitriptyline cause drowsiness?

Yes, it definitely causes drowsiness - more than anything I have taken. I take it only at bedtime, which turns into an advantage because it helps me sleep.

I am thinking of trying a new ad called pristiq. Sounds promising...supposedly less side effects but expensive.