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Can Amitriptyline Cause Chemical Imbalance In The Brain?
Question: Hello
I hope this message finds you in very good health.
Symptoms:
• Difficulty get in sleep, maintain continuous sleep and sometime poor quality of sleep
• Too Sensitive to sounds that can wake me up with inner trebling especially if I heard them in the preliminary stage of sleep.
• Some Muscle twitches all over the body throughout the day
• Headache and fatigue
• Sometime my hand, a finger or a leg moves suddenly for seconds only when I am about to sleep (almost sleepy)
The foregoing symptoms started one year ago.
What has been done so far briefly:
I was examined by 2 different neurologists and both assured me that nothing’s wrong with me physically. I was examined by a cardiologist and did some xrays and was told the same thing. I also did some blood tests and everything looks fine. Recently, I went to see a psychologist and he told me that I might be a little anxious or stressed however he’s not sure
3 doctors prescribed me Amitriptyline 10 mg to try with considerable difference in duration as follows:
• The 1st one I went to see prescribed me the medication for 6 month to try as a minimum.
• The 2nd one prescribed me the medication for 2 weeks to try.
• The third one prescribed the same medication for 3 months.
Now I have 3 different medication plans and do not know what to choose.
Besides, I am too skeptical as this is an antidepressant medication and I don’t know if it is going to help me especially after reading online the possible side effects.
I would be really glad if you could answer me the following questions:
1. Do I really need to take medication for the symptoms that I have or it is something that will go away over time?
2. Is this a good medication, Is it really the lightest medication(side effects wise) available currently, and if so what would be the right plan to follow?
3. Can taking amitriptyline 10 mg cause brain chemical imbalance, in case if the diagnose was wrong?
4. Will taking amitriptyline 10 mg affect the ability to make decisions or really change the way of thinking?
5. Can stopping taking the medication affect me?
6. Is it a habitual forming medication that I will possibly be stuck with for the rest of my life?
7. Please share with me any suggestion and/or different meds you see helpful ?
I hope this message finds you in very good health.
Symptoms:
• Difficulty get in sleep, maintain continuous sleep and sometime poor quality of sleep
• Too Sensitive to sounds that can wake me up with inner trebling especially if I heard them in the preliminary stage of sleep.
• Some Muscle twitches all over the body throughout the day
• Headache and fatigue
• Sometime my hand, a finger or a leg moves suddenly for seconds only when I am about to sleep (almost sleepy)
The foregoing symptoms started one year ago.
What has been done so far briefly:
I was examined by 2 different neurologists and both assured me that nothing’s wrong with me physically. I was examined by a cardiologist and did some xrays and was told the same thing. I also did some blood tests and everything looks fine. Recently, I went to see a psychologist and he told me that I might be a little anxious or stressed however he’s not sure
3 doctors prescribed me Amitriptyline 10 mg to try with considerable difference in duration as follows:
• The 1st one I went to see prescribed me the medication for 6 month to try as a minimum.
• The 2nd one prescribed me the medication for 2 weeks to try.
• The third one prescribed the same medication for 3 months.
Now I have 3 different medication plans and do not know what to choose.
Besides, I am too skeptical as this is an antidepressant medication and I don’t know if it is going to help me especially after reading online the possible side effects.
I would be really glad if you could answer me the following questions:
1. Do I really need to take medication for the symptoms that I have or it is something that will go away over time?
2. Is this a good medication, Is it really the lightest medication(side effects wise) available currently, and if so what would be the right plan to follow?
3. Can taking amitriptyline 10 mg cause brain chemical imbalance, in case if the diagnose was wrong?
4. Will taking amitriptyline 10 mg affect the ability to make decisions or really change the way of thinking?
5. Can stopping taking the medication affect me?
6. Is it a habitual forming medication that I will possibly be stuck with for the rest of my life?
7. Please share with me any suggestion and/or different meds you see helpful ?
Brief Answer:
Amitriptyline is a safe drug.
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
I can understand your concern. The symptoms you have mentioned are persisting since a year. Any neurological and cardiac problems have been ruled out by neurologists and cardiologists. In such event the cause for these symptoms is possibly mild depression associated with anxiety most likely. Persistent fatigue, muscle twitches, reduced waking threshold etc occur in anxious individuals. Coming to your questions directly-
1) In my opinion you should take the medicine because this will help to correct the symptoms. Amitriptyline has been prescribed to you because one of your presenting complaint is headache. Amitriptyline is known to help in headache apart from its use in depression.
2) Amitriptyline 10 mg dose is not a high dose and at this dose the drug is very safe. Though other medicines like SSRIs or SNRIs are there but in terms of efficacy the drug is comparable to other drugs. In my opinion the drug therapy for 3 months would help to reduce your symptoms.
3) No even if they have misdiagnosed you the drug would not cause damage to your brain or any permanent chemical imbalance.
4) No the drug would not affect the ability to make decisions or affect thinking.
5) No stopping the medicine will not affect you. As you have been advised 10 mg doses only so before stopping the drug you should reduce the dose to half for about 2 weeks and then you can stop the drug. Dose reduction in this manner will not cause significant withdrawal symptoms.
6) No the drug is not a habit forming drug. So no need to worry.
7) The doses of 10 mg are fine for your symptoms. Other drugs like SSRIs as Fluoxetine or Sertraline can also help. But for headache Amitriptyline would be better drug. Don't be stressed that the drug would make you dependent or will cause serious side effects to your health. The drug is safe to use. As the drug cause little sedation so take the drug in evening after dinner preferably.
Thanks. I hope this helps you. If you have more doubts please ask again.
Take carea
Amitriptyline is a safe drug.
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
I can understand your concern. The symptoms you have mentioned are persisting since a year. Any neurological and cardiac problems have been ruled out by neurologists and cardiologists. In such event the cause for these symptoms is possibly mild depression associated with anxiety most likely. Persistent fatigue, muscle twitches, reduced waking threshold etc occur in anxious individuals. Coming to your questions directly-
1) In my opinion you should take the medicine because this will help to correct the symptoms. Amitriptyline has been prescribed to you because one of your presenting complaint is headache. Amitriptyline is known to help in headache apart from its use in depression.
2) Amitriptyline 10 mg dose is not a high dose and at this dose the drug is very safe. Though other medicines like SSRIs or SNRIs are there but in terms of efficacy the drug is comparable to other drugs. In my opinion the drug therapy for 3 months would help to reduce your symptoms.
3) No even if they have misdiagnosed you the drug would not cause damage to your brain or any permanent chemical imbalance.
4) No the drug would not affect the ability to make decisions or affect thinking.
5) No stopping the medicine will not affect you. As you have been advised 10 mg doses only so before stopping the drug you should reduce the dose to half for about 2 weeks and then you can stop the drug. Dose reduction in this manner will not cause significant withdrawal symptoms.
6) No the drug is not a habit forming drug. So no need to worry.
7) The doses of 10 mg are fine for your symptoms. Other drugs like SSRIs as Fluoxetine or Sertraline can also help. But for headache Amitriptyline would be better drug. Don't be stressed that the drug would make you dependent or will cause serious side effects to your health. The drug is safe to use. As the drug cause little sedation so take the drug in evening after dinner preferably.
Thanks. I hope this helps you. If you have more doubts please ask again.
Take carea
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your prompt reply Dr, Seikhoo
I still have some more follow up questions, I hope you wouldn't mind answering them:
1- What If i started at lower dose (like cutting the pill in 2) and take only half the pill and see if it is going to be sufficient for me?
2- Do I have to take the medication at exactly the same time every day (as you mentioned after the dinner)? Does this mean i have to sleep soon after taking the dose?
3- Suppose I have some unforeseen circumstance that need me to stay up late or suppose I travel for long distance from west to east and vice versa, should I take the does at the same time or I can delay taking the dose?
4- What should be done if i miss taking the dose?
5- Is it okay if I used any vitamins or supplements while taking Amitriptyline 10? or do I have to avoid taking anything particular?
I still have some more follow up questions, I hope you wouldn't mind answering them:
1- What If i started at lower dose (like cutting the pill in 2) and take only half the pill and see if it is going to be sufficient for me?
2- Do I have to take the medication at exactly the same time every day (as you mentioned after the dinner)? Does this mean i have to sleep soon after taking the dose?
3- Suppose I have some unforeseen circumstance that need me to stay up late or suppose I travel for long distance from west to east and vice versa, should I take the does at the same time or I can delay taking the dose?
4- What should be done if i miss taking the dose?
5- Is it okay if I used any vitamins or supplements while taking Amitriptyline 10? or do I have to avoid taking anything particular?
Brief Answer:
The drug is safe to use.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for asking a follow up question
1) As I have mentioned in my answer 10 mg dose is a low dose. Making the tablet half will not result in therapeutic benefits. In my opinion you should start with 10 mg dose.
2) No there is nothing like a fixed time. You have to take tablet in evening hours. But there is no hard and fast rule that you have to take the tablet at a particular time. The dose schedule can be altered without any risk.
3) Yes delay in dose can be done. No risk associated with it.
4) Slight insomnia or restlessness etc symptoms can be seen if you miss one dose. No serious risk associated.
5) Yes you can take supplements with the drug. Avoid alcohol or any other controlled psychoactive drugs with amitriptyline.
Thanks. Sill have more doubts please ask again.
The drug is safe to use.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for asking a follow up question
1) As I have mentioned in my answer 10 mg dose is a low dose. Making the tablet half will not result in therapeutic benefits. In my opinion you should start with 10 mg dose.
2) No there is nothing like a fixed time. You have to take tablet in evening hours. But there is no hard and fast rule that you have to take the tablet at a particular time. The dose schedule can be altered without any risk.
3) Yes delay in dose can be done. No risk associated with it.
4) Slight insomnia or restlessness etc symptoms can be seen if you miss one dose. No serious risk associated.
5) Yes you can take supplements with the drug. Avoid alcohol or any other controlled psychoactive drugs with amitriptyline.
Thanks. Sill have more doubts please ask again.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you very much Dr.Seikhoo for answwering those questions
You mentioned that Alcohol must be avoided. I would really appreciate it if you could illustrate briefly how Alcohol works in the brain. Is Alcohol working in the brain similar to Amitriptyline or any other similar antidepressant? are they targeting the same areas in the brain?
Thanks in advance for any clarification you may provide!
You mentioned that Alcohol must be avoided. I would really appreciate it if you could illustrate briefly how Alcohol works in the brain. Is Alcohol working in the brain similar to Amitriptyline or any other similar antidepressant? are they targeting the same areas in the brain?
Thanks in advance for any clarification you may provide!
Brief Answer:
ALCOHOL is known to worsen the symptoms of depression.
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking again
Alcohol is a brain depressant substance. Though when individual takes alcohol it results in subjective feeling of relaxation but after some time it causes restlessness. Alcohol is known to result in multiple awakening in sleep and thus results in non-refreshing sleep. All these factors result in worsening of symptoms of depression and anxiety. Alcohol have mechanism of action different than Amitriptyline and they don't have serious drug interactions. But Alcohol can reduce the effectiveness of Amitriptyline.
They are not targeting on same areas.
Thanks, I hope this helps you. If you need more details please don't hesitate to ask.
Take care
ALCOHOL is known to worsen the symptoms of depression.
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking again
Alcohol is a brain depressant substance. Though when individual takes alcohol it results in subjective feeling of relaxation but after some time it causes restlessness. Alcohol is known to result in multiple awakening in sleep and thus results in non-refreshing sleep. All these factors result in worsening of symptoms of depression and anxiety. Alcohol have mechanism of action different than Amitriptyline and they don't have serious drug interactions. But Alcohol can reduce the effectiveness of Amitriptyline.
They are not targeting on same areas.
Thanks, I hope this helps you. If you need more details please don't hesitate to ask.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
No effects on sexual life at 10 mg doses.
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking again.
Amitriptyline is a TCA drug and at 10 mg doses the drug will not have any significant effects on your sexual life. In high doses the drug is known to cause delayed ejaculation, anorgasmia in some individuals. But these side effects are not observed at 10 mg doses.
So no need to worry in terms of sexual side effects.
Thanks. Take care. Still have more doubts to ask please ask again.
No effects on sexual life at 10 mg doses.
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking again.
Amitriptyline is a TCA drug and at 10 mg doses the drug will not have any significant effects on your sexual life. In high doses the drug is known to cause delayed ejaculation, anorgasmia in some individuals. But these side effects are not observed at 10 mg doses.
So no need to worry in terms of sexual side effects.
Thanks. Take care. Still have more doubts to ask please ask again.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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