Need Suggestions--Elavil Works for Helping Pain during Sleep; but makes me drowsy - Pain Management Message Board

SpinalMalady · 10-28-2004, 02:08 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!

Becky

twisten · 10-28-2004, 04:06 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!!

bigtuna · 10-31-2004, 12:35 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

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Thanks!!

jbot · 11-03-2004, 10:18 PM

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 · 11-08-2004, 09:55 PM

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!

Becky
Pain Began in August
MRI Oct.5, 2004
Ruptured L-5
Pinching S-1