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Misc Stopping Amatryptiline

T

tunesey

Bluelighter
Joined
Jan 26, 2013
Messages
563
My other half has been taking Amatryptiline for 10 years now for persistent migraine headaches. Her doctor started her off on a low dose and she has gradually increased her dose to 100mg taken at night as her doctor told her this might help with the way the brain processes pain. She has recently seen another doctor who wants her to stop the Amatryptiline and go on meds called Topirimate. I was wondering if this is safe to just stop or should she taper off. Tryciclic Antidepressants are a powerful drug in my book and I think she should not just stop taking them after such a long time but her new doctor says this is fine. I don't usually second guess doctors they have the medical training but I just wanted some feedback from someone who has done this before and did it cause any problems coming off them
 
I didn't find it hard to taper off the Amitryptline, however I was on Perphenazine/Amitryptiline.
 
Abrupt discontinuation of certain psychotropics can precipitate withdrawl-like symptoms or exacerbate those which they are used to control. TCAs have this potential. This isn't to say that it is a sure thing. It would be reasonable to voice this concern with their doctor and pharmacist, as a taper may well be favorable.

This article conserns the subject.

https://www.cchrint.org/pdfs/discontinuation-symptoms-after-treatment-with-ssris.pdf
 
I was on between 100 and during the last year or so i was on it 150mg's of amitriptyline for maybe 3 years. I pretty much stopped taking it cold turkey. Even though it has SNRI properties (along with anticholinergic effects of course) it doesn't seem to cause the awful withdrawal symptoms that the newer drugs that are classified as SNRI's like venlafaxine aka effexor and duloxetine aka Cymbalta cause. However some people do get withdrawal symptoms from amitriptyline and going off it cold turkey could cause her migraines to get worse. It's safe to take topiramate with amitriptyline as far as i know so there's no problem there. If she wants to taper off it she should go by a taper schedule her doctor gives her or just taper off slowly herself. Going cold turkey off any psych med is generally a bad idea.
 
Gawd doctors are idiots sometimes. You get the full benefit of elavil's pain-reducing effects at 20mg. 100mg is entirely unnecessary.
 
The doc has stopped her script of amatrytiline so she has no choice. She isnt too bad apart from insomnia and she says she gets a weird flashing in her head from time to time but she is not too worried about it. She is a bit grumpy due to lack of sleep but thats about all
 
I was taking 100mg at one point as well. I just stopped taking it when I switched doctors, he said I was on some pretty nasty meds. I was trembling, increased heart rate, all sorts of fun stuff!

I just quit it. Stopped taking it. NP!
 
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