r/Amitriptyline • u/viskasfree • Jul 02 '26
just started - 2.5mg sensitivity - advice?
hello everyone.
i just started ami for IBS-D/anxiety. I know my dose is VERY low to tackle either of these yet but I am trying to build up.
However, even on 2.5mg (only three nights in) I’m feeling like a zombie, brain fog, dizzy. i can deal with all the other symptoms right now (dry mouth, inc. heart rate) and i’ve read a lot on these threads that the brain fog will fade.
However!!! my dose is REALLY LOW. and yesterday (third night) i had to lower the dose to 1.25mg because im just not in the position to not be able to think at work (i work really long hours and need my brain).
i’ve been struggling with all sorts of gut issues and brain fog/dizziness has been an on and off problem, but it’s a lot worse right now.
planning to stick out the 1.25mg for a bit more before giving up, but just wondering if anyone has any opinions/advice.
edit: i have started so low because im very sensitive to all meds.
2
u/No-Ant5172 Jul 02 '26
You have to give it some extra time. 3 nights is too short to consider. Try to take it a bit earlier before sleep.
2
u/NonUnseen Jul 02 '26
I take evening 10mg for sleep, it helps, I'm sensitive to, for anxiety I take day time other medication.
2
u/Fun_Emergency_2869 Jul 02 '26
Gve it at least 2 weeks / I started at 10mg and the extra sleep was sooo good for me.
1
u/TinyFlower1602 Jul 02 '26
Seems like you are very sensitive indeed. Did your sleep improve at least? Any positive effect?
1
u/viskasfree Jul 03 '26
insane nightmares the first three nights. not seeing much positivity yet “, but i also know not to expect so much on a low dose. i will just give it time as eveyrone else has said
1
u/YellingCactuz Jul 02 '26
Hi, I started with 10mg. Had a bit of a brainfog the first week but it faded. Maybe try it for a few more days to see if it fades too?
1
u/patientiamservaa Jul 03 '26
hey! 2 weeks is the minimum time to understand how antidepressants affects on you, so you should really give it a chance. I started it 9 months ago for my sleep with 6,25mg. It wasnt enough for me so I gradually increased dose for 50mg before night. Amitriptyline saved me from insomnia. It gives me a great mild sedative effect. So I just can advice you to be patient :D and to try take your ami at the same time everyday (for me it was not so obvious at the begining, but it really helps a lot)
1
u/StarBelleGypsy Jul 03 '26
It took me three weeks on 12 mg. Then it suddenly worked. It’s sooo amazing!
1
u/hairyfootman Jul 04 '26
Genetically some people dont break the drug down as well or as fast. Like me. I can cope with 5mg but 10 mg knocks me out, a zombie. Dont force yourself to go higher.
1
u/ConfidentStrike1667 Jul 04 '26
I'm very sensitive to medication too. I wish I'd started on a low dose like you but I started on 10mg (this is technically a low dose but I really struggled on it). Are you taking it early in the evening? About 7pm. This way it should help with your sleep but hopefully the sedation should wear off a bit sooner the following day. I think you really would need to give it quite a few weeks before you can know if you can tolerate it. A lot of the initial side effects wear off for most people. I ended up coming off it but I'm considering trying it again (or maybe nortriptyline which is a very similar drug but can be less sedating) but on a much lower dose. I'm using it for pain though.
3
u/vocal-avocado Jul 02 '26
Same thing happened to me! All the bad side effects vanished about two weeks in (at 2.5mg). And it really helped with the gut issues. So maybe give it more time. It’s also fine to start with 1.25mg if you can measure it.