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  • #1

    Elavil

    After a six-week long flare, my doctor has just put me on a low daily dose (10mg) of Elavil.
    This is the first time I've taken it and took my first tablet one night ago. I already seem to be feeling better! Does it usually take effect so quickly or is it a coincidence?

    Also, I've been worrying myself by reading people's horror stories with regards to the side effects of this drug. Is there anyone out there who's only had positive reports from the drug? xx
    Love Lauren x

    __________________
    Had IC for five years (2005) but was only diagnosed in 2007. I was almost pain free for 2 whole years after having a cystoscopy and altering my diet drastically. However, I am now experiencing painful flares once again and wondering if the effects of the cystoscopy have worn off? Feeling miserable and hoping to find some support and friends on here
    Tags: None
  • #2
    yes, it can work the first night and for some people it may take a few weeks. sorry I dont have any good stories for u. I did have constipation, urine retention and some weight gain but it doesnt happen to everyone. I was told by my doc side effects usually occur more often for people who take elavil 25mg or higher
    Diagnosed with IC October 2009- through bladder biopsy (no glomerations or hunners ulcers found, just irritation)

    I have moderate-severe IC

    Currently stopped taking all medications due to pregnancy

    Comment

    • #3
      I think most people have a tough time with the tiredness it causes and the constipation. The tiredness should go away in time and the constipation you just have to be super proactive about. I will take stool softeners if I have to so days don't go by, I personally don't even like one day to go by as I can feel it in my bladder. I also find taking lots of magnesium supplements help too as well as making sure I eat lots of soluble fiber like beans, blueberries etc. Fiber supplements definitely hurt my bladder for some reason. Some people like miralax but I can't take it because of my IBS, it just bloats me.
      If you have too rough a time there are other similar drugs to elavil with less side effects. Glad its helping you so quickly.
      Cindi


      Gelnique for frequency/urgency - works great
      Macrobid after sex
      Prilosec, continuous birth control pills
      synthroid .088mg, mucinex-d, restasis

      Supplements: Desert Harvest Aloe vera, Cysta-q, prelief, magnesium and calcium, Vit D, flaxseed oil

      Diag Mild IC Jan 11 but have had symptoms for 25 years. Also have GERD, TMJ, IBS-C, chronic dry eye syndrome, hashimotos thyroiditis, non-allergic rhinitis.

      IC Diet Link: http://www.ic-network.com/diet/2009icdietlist.pdf
      AUA 2011 Guidelines to diagnosing and treating IC overview- http://www.ic-network.com/forum/showthread.php?p=571592
      AUA 2011 Guidelines to diagnosing and treating IC PDF: http://www.auanet.org/content/guidel...ent_ic-bps.pdf
      Great treatment flowchart on page 19 of the pdf

      Comment

      • #4
        It took 3 days for me to know it had begun to kick in. I was on 25 mg and never experienced a single side effect... I took it at night though, so I have no idea if it made me tired. If it did, that effect wore off by the time I woke up. It took away all of my pain.
        Symtoms started July 2010.
        Severe pelvic floor pain only.

        2 time PT graduate!
        In medical remission since August 2011; able to eat and drink anything I want currently.

        IC meds:
        200 mg Elmiron in the morning
        100 mg Elmiron @ night
        Macrobid after intercourse

        03/11 07/11 01/12
        If at first you don't succeed: 07/26/2013!

        Comment

        • #5
          Thanks!

          Thanks everyone for all your kind words and advice.

          I've been taking the 10mg tablet at night before bed so I'm not noticing feeling drowsy in the day time.

          People say it makes them gain weight. Does anyone know if the tablet alone does this, or is it just the fact that it increases appetite. If I try to keep my diet the same I should be ok, right?

          Thanks again for all your help xx
          Love Lauren x

          __________________
          Had IC for five years (2005) but was only diagnosed in 2007. I was almost pain free for 2 whole years after having a cystoscopy and altering my diet drastically. However, I am now experiencing painful flares once again and wondering if the effects of the cystoscopy have worn off? Feeling miserable and hoping to find some support and friends on here

          Comment

          • #6
            I don't think its the medicine itself. It increases appetitie and even that extra snack or two a day adds up over 6 months! I log my food most days anyways to keep my weight down and haven't gained anything on the noritriptyline. I might think about trying the elavil, I've got a 25mg I could cut in half to start out with. The nori is keeping me awake at night so I either need to take it in the morning or switch meds.
            Cindi


            Gelnique for frequency/urgency - works great
            Macrobid after sex
            Prilosec, continuous birth control pills
            synthroid .088mg, mucinex-d, restasis

            Supplements: Desert Harvest Aloe vera, Cysta-q, prelief, magnesium and calcium, Vit D, flaxseed oil

            Diag Mild IC Jan 11 but have had symptoms for 25 years. Also have GERD, TMJ, IBS-C, chronic dry eye syndrome, hashimotos thyroiditis, non-allergic rhinitis.

            IC Diet Link: http://www.ic-network.com/diet/2009icdietlist.pdf
            AUA 2011 Guidelines to diagnosing and treating IC overview- http://www.ic-network.com/forum/showthread.php?p=571592
            AUA 2011 Guidelines to diagnosing and treating IC PDF: http://www.auanet.org/content/guidel...ent_ic-bps.pdf
            Great treatment flowchart on page 19 of the pdf

            Comment

            • #7
              I am one who can't take elavil, but my husband takes 10 mg every night for arthritis pain and it helps him. It doesn't seem to have any side effects, probably because it's a very low dose.

              Donna
              Stay safe


              Elmiron Eye Disease Information Center - https://www.ic-network.com/elmiron-p...mation-center/
              Elmiron Eye Disease Fact Sheet (Downloadable) - https://www.ic-network.com/wp-conten...nFactSheet.pdf

              Have you checked the ICN Shop?
              Click on ICN Shop at the top of this page. You'll find Bladder Builder and Bladder Rest, both of which we are finding have excellent results.

              Patient Help: http://www.ic-network.com/patientlinks.html

              Sub-types https://www.ic-network.com/five-pote...markably-well/

              Diet list: https://www.ic-network.com/interstitial-cystitis-diet/

              AUA Guidelines: https://www.ic-network.com/aua-guide...tial-cystitis/

              I am not a medical authority nor do I offer medical advice. In all cases, I strongly encourage you to discuss your medical treatment with your personal medical care provider. Only they can, and should, give medical recommendations to you.               [3MG]

              Anyone who says something is foolproof hasn't met a determined fool

              Comment

              • #8
                I was told by my doc that elavil for some people increases sugar and carb cravings. also like many anti-depressants its slows ur metabolism. I would watch my food intake and exercise. I actually had more food cravings on atarax and gained weight on that one. I had to stop taking elavil consistently cause of constipation and retention.
                Diagnosed with IC October 2009- through bladder biopsy (no glomerations or hunners ulcers found, just irritation)

                I have moderate-severe IC

                Currently stopped taking all medications due to pregnancy

                Comment

                • #9
                  needsreliefYou might want to ask your doctor to try nortriptyline since you couldn't tolerate amitriptyline as it is a second generation tri-cyclic with much less side effects. I was constipated for a day or two but now am ok again. It seems to be a stimulant for me so am trying to take it in the morning starting today. I barely slept last night. I believe whether it effects you as a stimulant or depressant varies by person. Probably less weight gain issues too as it has less side effects.
                  Cindi


                  Gelnique for frequency/urgency - works great
                  Macrobid after sex
                  Prilosec, continuous birth control pills
                  synthroid .088mg, mucinex-d, restasis

                  Supplements: Desert Harvest Aloe vera, Cysta-q, prelief, magnesium and calcium, Vit D, flaxseed oil

                  Diag Mild IC Jan 11 but have had symptoms for 25 years. Also have GERD, TMJ, IBS-C, chronic dry eye syndrome, hashimotos thyroiditis, non-allergic rhinitis.

                  IC Diet Link: http://www.ic-network.com/diet/2009icdietlist.pdf
                  AUA 2011 Guidelines to diagnosing and treating IC overview- http://www.ic-network.com/forum/showthread.php?p=571592
                  AUA 2011 Guidelines to diagnosing and treating IC PDF: http://www.auanet.org/content/guidel...ent_ic-bps.pdf
                  Great treatment flowchart on page 19 of the pdf

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    I started out on 10mg at bed, then went up to 25 then to 50 and now im at 100 at bedtime. I always take mine at bedtime because it causes drowiness. I haven't noticed any weight gain, or constipation. Elavil defiantly helps.
                    Diagnosis: IC '09, vulvodynia '10, fructose intolerance '06, GERD '06, fibromyalgia '09, IBS '10 and TMJ '09, PCOS '11, genital herpes '12

                    Current Meds: Butrans patch, welbutrin, lamictol, geodon, xanax, aldactone, linzess, topimax, trazadone and diflucan as needed.

                    Meds tried before: Elmiron, elavil, antibiotics, welbutrin, cymbalta, prozac, nerve blocks, instills, nyastatin, flexerol, percocet, naproxen (which was what I was given for pain for years).

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Quick Elavil update...

                      Just a quick update on how I'm getting on with Elavil...

                      Last night was my third night taking a 10mg dose and so far I'm feeling fine - almost normal again. I've had virtually no pain and the drowsiness hasn't been an issue as I've been taking it a night.

                      I'd recommend anyone give it a go as you never know. Obviously it's early days for me on the drug, but so far so good.

                      Hugs to everyone and thank you for your kind words.

                      Nice and bright here in the north of England today, so that's one good thing at least xx
                      Love Lauren x

                      __________________
                      Had IC for five years (2005) but was only diagnosed in 2007. I was almost pain free for 2 whole years after having a cystoscopy and altering my diet drastically. However, I am now experiencing painful flares once again and wondering if the effects of the cystoscopy have worn off? Feeling miserable and hoping to find some support and friends on here

                      Comment

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