RSD Alert
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RSD Alert is a voluntary
organisation publishing RSD/CRPS
information, mostly provided
by our readers.
Every approved medical drug works for some people but not for others.
Don't be alarmed by what you read. If in doubt consult your medical
advisor.
To make personal contact with one of the RSD Alert Team click CONTACT.
To pass on information for publication in "Drugs on RSD Alert"
click Submit Info.
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Drugs |
Drugs on RSD Alert
(notes and comments from correspondents) |
Elavil |
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Description |
Anti-depressant used especially where a degree of sedation is thought appropriate. Preparation of amitriptyline hydrochloride with similar characteristics. Taken as tablets. Related to Amitriptyline HCL |
Side effects(Don't be unduly alarmed. All drugs cause side effects for some patients) |
Loss of definition in thought and movement, blurred vision, dry mouth. Can produce irregular heartbeat, rash, difficulty in sweating or urinating, a state of confusion, loss of libido. |
Warnings(These are standard cautions but may not be applicable to your case) |
Should not be taken by patients suffering from psychosis or heart disease, pregnant women, patients with glaucoma, thyroid or liver disease, epilepsy or diabetes. |
Comments |
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now I'm getting physical therapy for my back and shoulder and I
take elavil and vicoden. Giselle - USA
I refer to Elavil as the "Devil's Play Toy." I have
always said I don't advise people what to do, I only tell you
what my experience has been with meds and treatment. This will
be my one exception to the rule. Please don't try Elavil! It is
a "dirty" drug. That is not my term for it - that is
the medical term. They call it that because of all of the side
effects that possibly accompany this drug. I was on it for only
one week, but it took two weeks to get it out of my system. Trish
Pennsylvania, USA I was on Elavil for a short time. It helped a little with my pain at first. My mood improved for a while until they increased the dose. Then I had many side effects. The worst were the dry mouth - really like the Sahara, with my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth. The other bad effect was a slurring of my speech - so much that my family thought I was always intoxicated. Kathy - Florida, USA I was given Elavil for a supposed pinched nerve and then it was
increased to fifty mg. The nerve problem radiates from the L4
L5 in the lower back but MRI shows only normal wear and tear for
my age. I was unable to do the exercises I needed, and unable
to sleep, due to the pain. I had no accident. I think it happened
because of years of not exercising and taking anti-convulsant
medications that totally trashed my muscles, weakening the body's
ability to hold itself up (including the spine, the nerves, etc).
My experience is that one drug leads to another and there is no
end to it. Then you become addicted and cannot sleep without all
this stuff and let me tell the world this is a dead end. Have
you met old people who can no longer sleep because there isn't
a drug left that will knock them out? I have. It's very frightening
to see Grandma or Grandpa messed up like that. I am on various medications for RSD one of which is Elavil. I have been taking this medication since Dec.2001. At one point I was taking at 75 mg and I ran out of medication; I didn't get the prescription re-filled for 5 days and had a total crash. I am now on Zoloft as well as the Elavil. I did go up to 150 mg a day, but now I am back down to 75 mg. Since I started taking Elavil I have gained 70 lbs and am finding that my mood swings are becoming worse. I want to get off of the Elavil and my pain management doctor has told me to drop down to 50 mg/day for a month - but I am afraid to. I strongly suggest not taking Elavil at all - ever. Allison - San Diego, California, USA |
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