Question about elavil type antidepressants

[jen74]

Hi ladies.
I see that alot of members on here are taking elavil to help with their IC pain. I took this med a couple years ago before I had IC to treat neuralgia pain I had in my throat. It gave me bad heartburn so I stopped it. I was wondering if the cousin meds to elavil such as nortytriptyine/pamelor would have the same side effects?
I was thinking about asking my urogyne about prescribing one of these meds to see if it would help with the pain. I am a little reluctant as I know these type meds are known to slow the gut down, which is the last thing I need as I have already pre-exsisting motility disorders of my stomach which makes it slow as it is.
Also I dont need to get urinary retention as I seem to have this side effect from some meds. Is that a common side effect with elavil or nortitriptyline?
Just curious. Thanks for any info.
Jen

[ICNDonna]

What was your elavil dosage. It comes as low as 5 mg.

Donna

[jen74]

Hi Donna,
I was on 10mgs. I called my urogyne and am waiting for him to call me back. I am going to ask him about it.
Thanks.
Jen

[shell]

Each medication is different so this might not help, but I've found there are some medications that I need to take with a large glass of water to avoid heartburn. If I only used a swallow of water or tried to dry swallow the pill - major heartburn. With at least 8 oz. of water I had no problem. Might not work with Elavil, but thought I'd mention it.

[jen74]

Now is nortitriptyline different than elavil? I tool elavil in the past and it did give me heartburn so I stopped it. I did read that there seems to be alot less side effects with the nortatriptyline though. Is this true?
Jen

[bunnykinb]

I have taken Elavil 10 mg since 11/30/06. It does not give me any heartburn at all and no dry mouth. I do get constipation but this is probably my IBS. I will start nortriptyline tomorrow night. I am constantly hungry with Elavil.

[Cahyah]

Quit Elavil

Well i have been on elavil for about three to four months and today i quit. My dr put me on zoloft instead. with elavil, i was always hungry, gaining weight, angry, destructive, depressed.... unbelieveable! i was fine for the first bit of time on it, then the more i took it the worse it got. guess i am joining the ever growing "cant take elavil" club on here

[Cahyah]

bunnyknib

I saw that you put that elmiron caused throat tightness for you. that could be caused by the heartburn that many get with the capsules. i take mine out of the capsule and mix with a tiny bit of water, then take it, and i have no heartburn/throat lump/ etc. maybe you could try this? the heartburn is apparently caused by whatever is in the capsule coating.