Stopped Amitriptyline - Can't Sleep Now - Hungry!!
I had been taking amitriptyline (Elavil) for the past seven years for my migraines. Recently, my cardiologist thought it was causing my tachycardia (rapid heart rate) so he had my wean myself off, which I did, and finished up about one week ago. Since that time, my sleeping pattern is completely messed up. I used to sleep 7 – 8 hours per night, uninterrupted. As I knew it, one of the (pleasant) side effects of the amitriptyline was it made you drowsy. It was my “sleeping” pill for all these years. Since I stopped, I’m all out of sorts. I sleep for no more than 4 hours at a time, have weird dreams, and wake exhausted. My appetite has also increased tremendously and my stomach is always “churning.” I read about this and found that recent research has focused on the link between sleep and the peptides that regulate appetite. Ghrelin stimulates hunger and leptin signals satiety to the brain and suppresses appetite. Shortened sleep time is associated with decreases in leptin and elevations in ghrelin. Just my luck!
Has anyone out there ever had to stop amitriptyline and notice their once- uninterrupted sleep became very interrupted? What did you find helped you get back on track? I'm not too excited about the weight gain, either.
Re: Stopped Amitriptyline - Can't Sleep Now - Hungry!!
I was on amitriptyline for 2 years for migraines as well. I stopped myself because I gained a bit of weight with it. Came off it fairly well....then a few months later I got really sick and still am to this day. Nobody can figure out why. I was constantly nauseated, digestive issues, sleep issues, anxiety, etc. They then put me on remeron for 6 months. That helped the nausea and lack of appetite but caused severe weight gain and high triglyceride levels. So I stopped this too. I wake up every few hours completely starving and have to have something to eat. My GI thinks this is acid related, so we will see. Keep me posted if you find a resolve.
Re: Stopped Amitriptyline - Can't Sleep Now - Hungry!!
Wow, sorry Niki! I wonder if your issues are related to the amitriptyline? I wouldn't be surprised! I have now resorted to 10 days of sleeping pills! My sleep cycle has been disrupted due to the stoppage...and how! The doctor feels this may "restart" the correct sleep cycle. I am hopeful but doubtful. I am on day 4 and I awake during the night even with the sleeping pill...it's a very low dose. After 10 days, we shall see. My digestive issues are related to lack of sleep and may be for you, too. When you don't sleep well, your body does not work well, period. Good luck to you...and me, too!
Re: Stopped Amitriptyline - Can't Sleep Now - Hungry!!
Saw two sleep specialists...diagnosed with "chronic insomnia." First it was the withdrawal from the drug now it's kind of a mental thing being apprehensive to get to sleep. So wild and I am so tired. I am now trying Behavioral Modification Therapy. The doc said it could take a while. Anyone out there successful with it? I am seriously thinking about getting back on the med that helped me sleep to begin with! It's the rapid heartbeat that isn't good about it. I am taking Ativan to help me sleep now but want to get off of it. Will I EVER get back to sleeping well?
Stopped Amitriptyline - Can't Sleep Now - Hungry!! 
