HELP PLEASE--Elavil Works for Easing Pain During Sleep; but makes me drowsy

[SpinalMalady]

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 woken 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

[fibrofog75]

Most docs prescribe Elavil for nighttime, especially to help you sleep when you have prolonged or chronic pain. But Elavil alone doesn't help me get into a true sleep (dreaming state), and Ambien never helped either. The only one that helped me was Trazodone.

Note: any of the Narcotic pain medicines (Vicodin, Percocet) can and will interrupt your sleep, no matter what medicine you take to help you sleep. It's a double edged sword, because many of us can't sleep due to pain, and then the pain meds often keep us up, cause really weird dreams, or make us wake up very frequently.

Read up on Fibromyalgia, because some of the things you describe are part of this syndrome.

[cat_100]

Originally Posted by SpinalMalady

I should add that the two nights that I have taken it, I've only woken up once, and upon using ice pack, was able to go back to sleep! That's a definite plus!

Hi! I don't know about the Elavil, but I just want to warn you not to fall asleep with the ice pack on. I left one on too long once and ended up with frostbite. Believe me, frostbite is not pleasant or pretty, so please be careful with the ice pack.

Cat

[brianpain33]

Well it is pretty obvious that you are too sedated by all of the medications being taken at night. If I were you I would stop taking the Ambien. Now please be aware that if you have taken it awhile(longer than 1 week) you are going to have some rebound insomnia. However, once you get past that(a few days), then you should be alright. I would stick with the Elavil for two reasons:
1. it helps with nerve pain
2. it helps you sleep

I would also suggest taking your Percocet at least 2 hours before you go to bed. This way it will not keep you awake and waking up throughout the night. I would try this after dropping the Ambien and see how you do.

brian

[Jema X]

I feel for you spinalmalady, I had the same response. It is a brilliant drug though. 25mgs is a big starting dose and it's also what I started on. I slept wonderfully but couldn't wake up! I found taking it no later than 8pm helped because it is rather slow acting, so you can take it a bit earlier and not get too drowsy too quickly. I'd also try 12.5 mgs, I wish I'd started on this dose because it was hard for me to cut it back by the time I tried. You have only been taking it a couple of days and the daytime drowsiness does decrease within a week or two. I don't take it any more but I have to say that 25mgs of elavil was better for increased sleep than anything - it also has a clinically proven pain modulation effect which it sounds like you need also. Perhaps, as brian says, the other sleeping tablet is unnecessary at the moment. I wish you the best of luck.