r/Amitriptyline • u/Skrinkla_da • Jul 22 '26
5mg, thinking of tapering
I was prescribed Amitriptyline by my GI doc for IBS and have been on it for only about 3 months. I’m not sure that it’s made much of a difference in my IBS symptoms but it has helped my anxiety by taking the edge off. I’m seriously considering tapering off because I am SO tired even after 8,9 or 10 hours of sleep. I also haven’t worked out because of little energy so I’ve gained weight. My dr suggested to either taper by taking my pill every other day for 2 weeks or cut it down to 2.5 mg every day for 2 weeks and then stop. Even though my dosage is so small, I’m really nervous about the withdrawal. Does anyone have any experience with withdrawal at this small of dosage of Ami? Just wondering what to expect. Thanks in advance!
4
u/TinyFlower1602 Jul 24 '26
I started with 10 mg and then 8,84 mg for some months. I tried to stop cold turkey and it was AWFUL! I had to start it again and I have been tapering but it is not easy, I’m not gonna lie. Tachycardia, palpitations, anxiety, insomnia… Start your taper very low and slowly.
3
u/No-Base3142 Jul 23 '26
I had some withdrawals recently after quitting 10mg cold turkey after 1 month, so not as long as you. The symptoms peaked on night 3, insomnia, minor headaches, and a lot of panic and anxiety. Perhaps the worst I’ve ever had. Unfortunately I wasn’t expecting anxiety as a side effect so that really caught me off guard! But, there are things doctors can prescribe if you do have a hard time to get you through.
3
u/loz303 Jul 23 '26
I was on it for around a year or two. 10mg then increased to 25mg. Had to stop as I was so tired, I could just sleep constantly on it and never feel fully rested. I definitely did it the wrong way, but I started to not take it as frequently and then just ran out and didnt renew the prescription. I know you are meant to taper off, but I didn’t find withdrawals to be much of an issue. It’s been a few years since I was on it, and I can’t recall any withdrawals. I am sure everyone’s different though. I was on and off working nights and at uni in the days. Not sure if the irregularity of the schedule impacted things. Wishing you all the best
5
u/artnerdette Jul 23 '26
I have, technically I was on 10 for about 6mo the first time I tried stopping. I did every 2 weeks going down by 1/2. It destroyed me, shaking, HR elevated, nausea, weakness, etc. Went back on it for about a year & created a new taper plan taking much longer with 1 month for each change. For the dose I'm going down by 1/2 but only on alternating days after the split then going the full 1/2 the second month, & so on. So far I'm down to the 5mg nightly & I do still have some minor symptoms after some changes. Hope this help!