Fibromyalgia Support Group
You're not alone in your pain. Fibromyalgia is a condition that can be difficult to diagnose and manage. If you're trying to cope with pain throughout your body, sleep problems, general fatigue, or other common fibromyalgia symptoms, you're in the right place. The community is here for you to talk about therapies and share your challenges.
Tell us about your personal experience with Elavil as a treatment: Has it worked? Have you had any issues? Any recommendations or tips?
deleted_user
About seven years ago, I was taking elavil for a time, but for me personally, it made me feel more brain-fogged, and developed restless legs from it. I seem unable to tolerate antidepressants-they seem to make me more fogged and sleep is not any more restful. I slept more, but I felt more exhausted.
deleted_user
I took Elavil during 10 years and with it I gain a 100 pounds which I did\'nt want. But I have to say that some people don\'t take one pound with Elavil it is like everything else, we have to try it to find out and we have to consider that at a time that I took it, it was in the 90\'s so there were\'nt to many anti-depressant for Fibromyalgia at that time. As soon as my doctor could give me something else, she did and I was very glad.
Liane999
I was frustrated with running to doctor after doctor. After researching muscle aches on the internet I suggested to my doctor that I might have fibro. She prescribed Elavil and if it worked it would define what I have. I worked. I really notice it when I miss a dose. I am currently taking 75 mg. There are a lot of side effects but the benefits out-weigh the bad. I found the key for me was to take it early evening to avoid feeling comatose the next day.
deleted_user
I took elavil for the last 8 years. Initially put on it for pain control and to help me sleep. I thought it was helping, but over the last 6 mo my doc took me off of it and put me on ambien to help me sleep. The ambien has helped w/pain also, as the better night sleep I get the less the pain is for me.
deleted_user
OH...and also, I gained 50 lbs on elavil, grrrr
Liane999
Do you really think it is the Elavil that makes you gain weight, or is it the inactivity? I starting walking more the last few weeks and have actually lost a few pounds. You need to match calories taken in with the amount of activity.
deleted_user
Celebrex is a wonder drug for me. I don't use it until I have to; so periodically. Exercise, sleep, and diet are my best stabilizers; but I am still working to be better disciplined. In addition I take amitryptilline and paxil, which I have and am trying to get off of...especially due to weight gain.
deleted_user
I'm also on Elavil. I don't think it helps me at all. We've tried various things to help me sleep. I also am on Ambien CR. I recently had a sleep study and they said even though I was asleep for 7 hrs. I never reach the stage of sleep thats restorative. So, I still wake up tired and am tired throughout the day. When I see my GP next time. I'm going to suggest removing the Elavil from the meds I take daily. Why take them if they don't help? Sleep specialist tried a few days of Lunesta which I did try and I found that I woke more, and it was a fitfull wake up. Almost aggitated, not really sure how to describe it.
deleted_user
The Elavil has been better for me than clonazepam (sp???) but I still have a lot of problems. I can definitly feel it if I miss a dose - the restless legs gets MUCH worse.
deleted_user
I have been on Elavil for 6 yrs,In the beginning it was great.Because I have been on it so long(I think)that is isn't working as well.3 times aday and two at bedtime to help me sleep but it really doesn't help.I sure he will be changing it upfor awhile and then putting me back on it.
deleted_user
I took it for 2-3 days and thats all I could handle it made me very moody and anxious(bd sp)
deleted_user
I took Elavil at night time for neck and shoulder pain several years ago, and it helped alot. After I had injections in my neck for pain control I stopped using it. When I started having all this Fibro stuff I was put back on it to help me sleep, but it didn't do anything for me. The Dr has me on Trazodone and it seems to be working helping to get a good nights sleep.
fibrIC2
Elavil--El Evil as I like to call it--gave me nightmares to rival anything Steven King ever thought up. Kept waking up all night long, sometimes screaming and waking my husband. Worked great for months for pain though--stopped taking it because of the dreams and became almost paralized from the pain returning. Never again.
deleted_user
i have been on elival off and own since about 82. and can go off without withdrals and im on150mg. but my pain gets worse and i went on half dose didnt have anything to do with sleep but it did pain. and i havent gained but very few pds. and went on diet once and lost 26pd first month.
redsilverfox
Been on it over 10 years and works great for me I walk or swim and do not gain much weight on it as controlling your input on a balanced diet stops the weight gain for me!
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