SpinalMalady
10-28-2004, 05:08 PM
Will I get used to this. Currently my Dr. has me taking Ambien, 1/2 Valium (10 mg which I guess would mean I'm taking 5 mg) AND 25 mg of Elavil. The Elavil was added two days ago because I was waking up every hour due to the severe pain. I have a ruptured disk at L-5 which is impinging the S-1 nerve. Been in 24/7 pain in right thigh/hamstring/buttock/ankle for 10 weeks now. I am also taking Percocet 10/325 every 6 hrs (can take at 4hrs if need per Dr's orders, but I'm scared to). I also take 75 mg of Topamax for Migraines. I was not having any Drowsiness during the day until I started the Elavil. Now by mid-day....I feel like a wet noodle, if you know what I mean.
I am still working....I have a fairly sedentary job....very light duty...I teach college. I can lecture sitting, or standing, my preference, and whatever works for me at that moment is what I do. It's better for me to go to work because my students give me something other than my pain to focus on....if I stay home, I'll still have the pain....I'll just be alone in my pain....
My question is: 1) Will the drowsiness from the Elavil go away...i.e will I get used to it???
2) Should I try JUST the Elavil and see if it works for sleep and the BT pain while I am sleeping (before I was waking up every hour)?????....that stuff knocks me OUT!!!!
I should add that the two nights that I have taken it, I've only woke up once, and upon using ice pack, was able to go back to sleep! That's a definite plus!
Any suggestions, and previous experiences with Elavil are appreciated.
Thanks in advance for your responses.
Here's hoping we all have some Pain Free Days In The Near Future! :D
:angel: :wave:
Becky
I am still working....I have a fairly sedentary job....very light duty...I teach college. I can lecture sitting, or standing, my preference, and whatever works for me at that moment is what I do. It's better for me to go to work because my students give me something other than my pain to focus on....if I stay home, I'll still have the pain....I'll just be alone in my pain....
My question is: 1) Will the drowsiness from the Elavil go away...i.e will I get used to it???
2) Should I try JUST the Elavil and see if it works for sleep and the BT pain while I am sleeping (before I was waking up every hour)?????....that stuff knocks me OUT!!!!
I should add that the two nights that I have taken it, I've only woke up once, and upon using ice pack, was able to go back to sleep! That's a definite plus!
Any suggestions, and previous experiences with Elavil are appreciated.
Thanks in advance for your responses.
Here's hoping we all have some Pain Free Days In The Near Future! :D
:angel: :wave:
Becky
Sponsor
twisten
10-28-2004, 07:06 PM
I'm on elavil also but on 100mg at night. Sometimes it helps me sleep, sometimes not. I always wake up at least once during the night. I honestly can't remember the last time I slept all night without waking up.
My question is: 1) Will the drowsiness from the Elavil go away...i.e will I get used to it???
You might become more tolerant to it once you've been on it for awhile. I have a friend who is groggy the next day after taking it and she has been on it for about 3 years. She doesn't use it every night though so when she does take it she is still groggy the next day. I have never been groggy the next day from it and I've been on and off of it for 3 years. The only side effect I notice from it is weight gain.
2) Should I try JUST the Elavil and see if it works for sleep and the BT pain while I am sleeping (before I was waking up every hour)?????....that stuff knocks me OUT!!!!
Its worth a try. If you could get away with less pain meds that would be great. Well, I didn't intend to write a book here so I better go now!!
My question is: 1) Will the drowsiness from the Elavil go away...i.e will I get used to it???
You might become more tolerant to it once you've been on it for awhile. I have a friend who is groggy the next day after taking it and she has been on it for about 3 years. She doesn't use it every night though so when she does take it she is still groggy the next day. I have never been groggy the next day from it and I've been on and off of it for 3 years. The only side effect I notice from it is weight gain.
2) Should I try JUST the Elavil and see if it works for sleep and the BT pain while I am sleeping (before I was waking up every hour)?????....that stuff knocks me OUT!!!!
Its worth a try. If you could get away with less pain meds that would be great. Well, I didn't intend to write a book here so I better go now!!
bigtuna
10-31-2004, 02:35 AM
Hey Becky
My doc just recently (about a month ago) put me on 25mg of Elavil before bed in addition to my daily dosage of pain meds at first I had a lot of trouble waking up and feeling like a zombie but after about a week a started to not be as drowsy in the am and I have to say it has worked quite well for me, my doc talked to me about upping dose next month when I see him he said I will start to build tolerance in my opinion its a good trade off a little drowsiness in trade for being able to sleep without nerve pain its been night and day for me besides the groggy feeling it has really helped
BTW Shoreline I had talked with you awhile back about this about the tylenol issue with my hydrocodone doc said he didnt have a problem switching me to norco only thing is I pay out of pocket for my scripts 240 of the 5/500 only runs me $27/mo at costco the 5/325 and 10/325 both are about 5 times as much I have browsed some of the sites offering rx help and know some of the manufacturers out there also have programs If it would be ok with the Mods and I wouldnt be breaking any rules can someone please please help me out here I would really like to go to the lower dose of tylenol doc is ok with it I just have to be sure it is economical esspecially since my wife just fractured her wrist at work and is going to be out 6-8 weeks and there is a 50% chance she is looking at surgery in addition to a serious back injury she suffered in april that thanks to good ole labor and industries has not been diagnosed just chiropractic therapy 3X a week and 7.5/500 hydrocodne 8Xday I have lost a lot of mobilitiy since my injury which was at work but did not get covered by Labor and Industries have not been able to work and am having to pay out of pocket for office visits and meds luckily my doc is a cool guy and gives me a discount we have pretty much lost it all had to sign house over to parents they are using it as rental property and moved in with in mother in law so if anyone can give me advice on rx help it is really needed
So some tips would be much appreciated
[ removed ]
Thanks!!
My doc just recently (about a month ago) put me on 25mg of Elavil before bed in addition to my daily dosage of pain meds at first I had a lot of trouble waking up and feeling like a zombie but after about a week a started to not be as drowsy in the am and I have to say it has worked quite well for me, my doc talked to me about upping dose next month when I see him he said I will start to build tolerance in my opinion its a good trade off a little drowsiness in trade for being able to sleep without nerve pain its been night and day for me besides the groggy feeling it has really helped
BTW Shoreline I had talked with you awhile back about this about the tylenol issue with my hydrocodone doc said he didnt have a problem switching me to norco only thing is I pay out of pocket for my scripts 240 of the 5/500 only runs me $27/mo at costco the 5/325 and 10/325 both are about 5 times as much I have browsed some of the sites offering rx help and know some of the manufacturers out there also have programs If it would be ok with the Mods and I wouldnt be breaking any rules can someone please please help me out here I would really like to go to the lower dose of tylenol doc is ok with it I just have to be sure it is economical esspecially since my wife just fractured her wrist at work and is going to be out 6-8 weeks and there is a 50% chance she is looking at surgery in addition to a serious back injury she suffered in april that thanks to good ole labor and industries has not been diagnosed just chiropractic therapy 3X a week and 7.5/500 hydrocodne 8Xday I have lost a lot of mobilitiy since my injury which was at work but did not get covered by Labor and Industries have not been able to work and am having to pay out of pocket for office visits and meds luckily my doc is a cool guy and gives me a discount we have pretty much lost it all had to sign house over to parents they are using it as rental property and moved in with in mother in law so if anyone can give me advice on rx help it is really needed
So some tips would be much appreciated
[ removed ]
Thanks!!
jbot
11-04-2004, 01:18 AM
I took Elavil at night.It made me feel anxious and hard to get to sleep. It did make me feel drug out the next morning. My body did adjust after a month and thats when i started gaining weight.I gained 80# in 8 mos. The dr said that wasn`t what caused it but when I stop taking it I quit gaining.I did have to go on a diet to lose the extra weight.I was taking it for depression and not pain control.Many years later I was having shoulder / neck pain and my dr put me back on it. The same thing the anxious and drug out feeling and weight game all came back. I talk to my dr and he changed me to Prozac. That help my neck/shoulder pain and no weight gain. Now I am taking Ambien at night and take it about 9 pm. I have no drug out feeling then next day.I have been on it longer then I should so think I have built up a tolorance for it.It is a very good sleep aid. If I were you i`d take it like about 7 at night so it might wear off nefore morning, And be sure to watch for any weight gain it can cause fluid retention. Good luck hope it all works for you ;)
SpinalMalady
11-09-2004, 12:55 AM
Hey Jbot:
Thanks for the reply:
Just to let you know, my night time regime is the following: I take Ambien, 1/2 Valium (which is 5 mg) AND 25 mg of Elavil....the Elavil is for BT pain because I'm in SO much pain that I was not sleeping through the night with just the Valium and the Ambien.....I was waking every hour.
Now I wake up around 3 times a night....but it's better, because before I started the Ambien, I was only getting about an hour of sleep a night...I hate all the meds, and can't wait to get rid of ALL of them.... The pain meds, and the sleep meds....I'm sick of ALL of this....I've totally lost my INDEPENDENCE!
I see the NS on WED and the PM Doc on 11/22, and they will manage my case together. I think I have pretty well adjusted to the Elavil by now...I don't feel as drug out during the day...I can make it thru the day without feeling like a wet noodle....I still CAN take a nap if I let myself, but I TRY not to....
Thanks for the info.
Here's to hoping we all have many pain free days ahead of us VERY soon!
:angel:
Becky
Pain Began in August
MRI Oct.5, 2004
Ruptured L-5
Pinching S-1
Thanks for the reply:
Just to let you know, my night time regime is the following: I take Ambien, 1/2 Valium (which is 5 mg) AND 25 mg of Elavil....the Elavil is for BT pain because I'm in SO much pain that I was not sleeping through the night with just the Valium and the Ambien.....I was waking every hour.
Now I wake up around 3 times a night....but it's better, because before I started the Ambien, I was only getting about an hour of sleep a night...I hate all the meds, and can't wait to get rid of ALL of them.... The pain meds, and the sleep meds....I'm sick of ALL of this....I've totally lost my INDEPENDENCE!
I see the NS on WED and the PM Doc on 11/22, and they will manage my case together. I think I have pretty well adjusted to the Elavil by now...I don't feel as drug out during the day...I can make it thru the day without feeling like a wet noodle....I still CAN take a nap if I let myself, but I TRY not to....
Thanks for the info.
Here's to hoping we all have many pain free days ahead of us VERY soon!
:angel:
Becky
Pain Began in August
MRI Oct.5, 2004
Ruptured L-5
Pinching S-1
scotty12
11-09-2004, 09:25 AM
Becky,
ive been taking elavil for about a year.after the first few weeks i did find myself more alert the next day.you should adjust.elavil is a TCA anti-d which is mostly rx'd for pain.it takes about 2 weeks to really start working.
lack of sleep and cp go hand in hand.ive been struggling with it for long time.
ambien helped for a few months but even at 20mg i sleep for 4 hrs max.
hang in there,feel well,scotty
ive been taking elavil for about a year.after the first few weeks i did find myself more alert the next day.you should adjust.elavil is a TCA anti-d which is mostly rx'd for pain.it takes about 2 weeks to really start working.
lack of sleep and cp go hand in hand.ive been struggling with it for long time.
ambien helped for a few months but even at 20mg i sleep for 4 hrs max.
hang in there,feel well,scotty
SpinalMalady
11-09-2004, 06:39 PM
Thanks Scotty, :wave:
I sure am trying...It's a tough road....I don't know if you've followed the thread "Shoreline this may seem like a STUPID question", but it gives a lot of history of what I have been thru and am going thru right now.....but anyway...
Thanks for the words of encouragement. I'm doing better with the fatigue from the Elavil...doesn't bother me much now.... :)
And you're right...about 4 hours sleep is TOPS for me! It really STINKS! :o
Here's hoping we all have MANY pain free days in the NEAR future! :D
Becky :angel:
I sure am trying...It's a tough road....I don't know if you've followed the thread "Shoreline this may seem like a STUPID question", but it gives a lot of history of what I have been thru and am going thru right now.....but anyway...
Thanks for the words of encouragement. I'm doing better with the fatigue from the Elavil...doesn't bother me much now.... :)
And you're right...about 4 hours sleep is TOPS for me! It really STINKS! :o
Here's hoping we all have MANY pain free days in the NEAR future! :D
Becky :angel:
scotty12
11-09-2004, 08:46 PM
becky,
i know what your feeling.i just woke up one day with leg pain and a few weeks later i was in agony 24/7 with back pain.
a few weeks of calling my ortho for vicoden refills my new ortho ordered an mri.
showed herniations from L3 thru S1,torn anulus and spondylo..at L5-S1.
a few visits later after 2 months of physical therapy i was referred to pain mng dr for ESI's.my ortho told me flat out dont have a 2 or 3 level fusion until exhausting all options and then think twice.
after another few months w/no relief my meds were changed from hydrocodone to oxycodone.after 2weeks on percocet i was finally able to function.i remember feeling so happy as if i got my life back.
now im in no way advocating surgery but if you have one level involvement and surgical options that arent as invasive as fusions,you may do much better having surgery.there is a point where pain becomes chronic and surgery,although "successful",doesnt decrease the pain more than 50 or 60%.
it is your choice but do educate yourself and be an active part of your medical treatment.i strongly reccomend PT.besides soothing treatments like ultrasound/stim..stregnthening played such an important role in my path to being able to manage the pain.meds alone just wont do it.
after months of stregnthening, everyday tasks didnt have the painfull consequences
like lifting my baby daughter or a gallon of milk.
things will get better,if it takes pain meds for you to give PT a real shot then tell the dr what you feel.it is hard to exersize knowing you will be in alot of pain later.
it just takes time,just be aware of your options and get your dr's to help you on that road to recovery.physical dependence,while a big burdun to live with,will happen weather you take 30 mg or 60 mg of pain meds a day.if you take them as directed addiction wont be a concern.
hope you get some relief very soon,scotty
i know what your feeling.i just woke up one day with leg pain and a few weeks later i was in agony 24/7 with back pain.
a few weeks of calling my ortho for vicoden refills my new ortho ordered an mri.
showed herniations from L3 thru S1,torn anulus and spondylo..at L5-S1.
a few visits later after 2 months of physical therapy i was referred to pain mng dr for ESI's.my ortho told me flat out dont have a 2 or 3 level fusion until exhausting all options and then think twice.
after another few months w/no relief my meds were changed from hydrocodone to oxycodone.after 2weeks on percocet i was finally able to function.i remember feeling so happy as if i got my life back.
now im in no way advocating surgery but if you have one level involvement and surgical options that arent as invasive as fusions,you may do much better having surgery.there is a point where pain becomes chronic and surgery,although "successful",doesnt decrease the pain more than 50 or 60%.
it is your choice but do educate yourself and be an active part of your medical treatment.i strongly reccomend PT.besides soothing treatments like ultrasound/stim..stregnthening played such an important role in my path to being able to manage the pain.meds alone just wont do it.
after months of stregnthening, everyday tasks didnt have the painfull consequences
like lifting my baby daughter or a gallon of milk.
things will get better,if it takes pain meds for you to give PT a real shot then tell the dr what you feel.it is hard to exersize knowing you will be in alot of pain later.
it just takes time,just be aware of your options and get your dr's to help you on that road to recovery.physical dependence,while a big burdun to live with,will happen weather you take 30 mg or 60 mg of pain meds a day.if you take them as directed addiction wont be a concern.
hope you get some relief very soon,scotty