Amitriptyline for better sleep

[valerie]

I have suffered from CFS for a long time and my GP has prescribed low dose anti-depressants (Amitriptyline) for improved quality of sleep. I haven't started to take them yet and was just wondering if anyone else had experience of this drug?

[rosetrees]

I've had ME for nearly 34 years and I was prescribed amitriptyline for the first time back in May, after a relapse put me in bed for 3 weeks.

I found them helpful. I only take 10mg and I refused to take them permanently - I won't take anything permanently.

Initially I took them for 3 weeks and I recovered from my relapse faster than I thought I would. I now take them whenever I feel a relapse coming. I won't take them for more than a week. I have heard of people becoming addicted and having trouble getting off them.

With short courses I don't personally find any problem with stopping taking them.

I also think that with this type of drug, your body gets used to it after a while - meaning you need to take more to get the same effect. I prefer to stop taking the drug - and just take it when I feel I need it.

Hope that helps - and please don't take that as qualified medical advise!

[valerie]

Thank you for reply rosetrees. I still haven't taken this drug as I don't like the side effects that are written on the details inside the packet. OK I know it would only be a small dose but I'd rather try and find a non-drug treatment for better sleep. Let me know if you know of any my friend.

[rosetrees]

I wouldn't be afraid of the side effects if you just take a low dose. The best way to find out is to try. If you take my approach and only take it for a relatively short period, most of the side effects won't be able to happen. If you do start to experience side effects - just stop taking them. Make sure you start with the lowest dose as I've found that I'm very sensitive to drugs and always approach with caution - taking the lowest dose possible to see if there are any adverse effects. I do that for everything - including over the counter medicines and supplements.

I have recently started the gupta programme. (2 weeks ago). The meditations in that help. He recommends doing them before breakfast and before dinner - but I have been doing the second one in bed at night. I find myself drifting off most times. It certainly calms the brain and helps me sleep.

If you don't want to use the Gupta programme, maybe a relaxation CD or meditation CD might help?

[valerie]

Thank you for very quick reply. I have the Gupta programme and his meditation 3 is fantastic. I'm very sensitive to voices, the accents, tone, etc. and I can tell within a few seconds if I'm going to be able to listen to it. Sometimes when people record meditations it sounds like they're reading it out and can't wait to finish! His voice is super and so relaxing. I need to get a portable CD player so I can take it to bed with me.

Where are you based rosetrees? I live in West Wales.

Speak again.

[neil25]

ive had cfs for 8 months now, tried almost every natural way to help me sleep including, homeopathic, herbal and relaxation cd's, the only thing which gives me a proper sleep is amitriptyline when i first took it i reacted very bad to it and had awful side effects but the more u take it , it starts to work. i don't take it everyday i limit myself to 2-3 times a week. it means i get a deeper sleep those nights and makes me feel better rest of the week. i think our brains are unable to switch off so natural ways dont work 100%.