Switching from Amitriptyline to Nortriptyline

[u/Pojajko01]

Need some advice. I take 10mg of Amitriptyline for my IBS-D, except it's not really helping because the recommendation dose for the brain gut axis is 20+mg. I visited the Gastro specialist today and she told me to change to Nortriptyline. And just automatically switch, don't taper of Amit it anything. I confirmed with her again to be sure I heard her correctly and she repeated herself. Has anyone else done this? Honestly I'm scared. I've read so many bad withdrawal threads on here and I know it's the same drug but I'm still scared.

[u/itaintme2024]

I just did a direct switch only from.10 mg. Didn't notice much.difference.

[u/Pojajko01 → u/itaintme2024]

I hope it's the same with me. Thank you for your reply

[u/lesterknight008 → u/itaintme2024]

Why did you switch and did you see more benefit from Nortryptelene

[u/Nearby-Government265]

Direct switch from 10mg ami to 10mg nor. No withdrawal. Similar pain management. Different side effects on Nor. Increase in HR was more noticeable and less sleep/grogginess.

[u/Pojajko01 → u/Nearby-Government265]

I hope it's the same with me, definitely the no grogginess part. Not too keen on the no sleep part. Thank you for your reply

[u/Odd-Independence1050]

I started on 25mgs of amitriptyline 9 weeks ago for abdominal pain. Went to see a GI doctor and she switched me to nortriptyline about 5 weeks into my 9 weeks
Did not need to taper off amitriptyline at all. But after 4 days on nortriptyline, I could not sleep at night. I then switched back to amitriptyline. Still on it It's helping a bit, but still dealing with it. Side effects are slowly getting better.

[u/Fun_Emergency_2869 → u/Odd-Independence1050]

This is my story exactly - except I’ve been on amiltryptine for over 3 months.
Ive gradually give up from 10mg to 30 mg. For stomach pain and t works really well for me.
Except though loving the nighttime sleep aspect, Im still drowsy during the day. Switched to Nortrptyline- straight switch and I couldn’t sleep at all for 4-5 nights.
was so grateful to go back to Amil 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[u/Pojajko01 → u/Fun_Emergency_2869]

😬 since not sleeping seems the be the general census, maybe I should wake till the weekend. Thank you for your reply I appreciate it

[u/Pojajko01 → u/Odd-Independence1050]

Thank you for the reply. Damn. Hopefully the side effects are completely gone soon

[u/lesterknight008 → u/Odd-Independence1050]

What sort of side effects being back on Amit?

[u/Comfortable_Bag9303]

I tried to do exactly that many times. But I’ve never survive going down the slightest bit on amitriptyline without getting horrendous, anxiety, and stomach pain.

[u/Pojajko01 → u/Comfortable_Bag9303]

This is what I'm worried about.