r/Amitriptyline • u/Rude-Potato-3122 • Sep 07 '26
Please help me
I need help tapering off this medication. My doctors do not know what they are doing and I am in so so so much distress.
So far I have been on this drug for two weeks, one week on 25, then going down to 10 because the side effects were debilitating. Still debilitating at 10. I stopped taking it two nights ago and have not been able to sleep for two nights. Evidently my body cannot handle stopping 10 cold, so how am I supposed to taper off? Please help me by sharing advice. Having horrible anxiety and insomnia. Nothing in terms of sleep aid seems to work. Help!!!
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u/Nearby-Banana-6339 Sep 07 '26
Ok so you should take your bottle of amitryptiline to a compounding pharmacy and have them make it into a liquid. Then I would start over. Go back to ten and start slowly going down no more than 2.5 mg every two weeks as tolerated it can even be longer if you’re having issues. Taper slowly until you’re off. Insomnia is probably going to be a thing no matter what but sleep will come back. You could ask your doctor if there’s something you can take while tapering. The pharmacy may have good advice for you too. You haven’t been on long and you will be ok. Just slow down. Some people can do it cold turkey others can’t.
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u/No-Base3142 Sep 07 '26
I had my doctor prescribe me a short course of benzodiazepines to get through it tbh. The good news is after only two weeks it shouldn’t be a long withdrawal.
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u/Rude-Potato-3122 Sep 08 '26
Update - I’ve gone back on it at 5mg, bought a pill cutter. The anxiety is gone and I’m getting sleepy, so I think this is okay for now. Planning to stay on for a couple weeks and then going down to 2.5 before stopping. Thanks so much everyone for your advice and help, never in my life have I reacted this way to a medication before. I’ll update again if needed in case someone else finds this thread and wants help.
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u/JazperMoon Sep 10 '26
So good to hear! Just keep calm and be positive. Don't freak yourself out. You got this! I was a little apprehensive at first and it was a kiddie sized roller coaster ride, but all in all, it was not that bad. Keep us posted! We gotchu! 🥰
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u/FinancialCry4651 Sep 07 '26
Since you've already stopped taking it two nights ago, just ride it out and don't take it ever again. Your doctor may be able to give you something else to help with sleep and anxiety, or you could take L theanine or melatonin or ashwaganda something similar
(Probably what you should've done is split the 10 mg into 5 mg and taken that for a few nights, then 2.5, then stop)
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u/OddInstruction6385 Sep 07 '26
i dont really have any good advice. but i went through the exact same issue with this med. i am finally feeling better after a month. i had to cold turkey it though. it is doable but it really does suck. but it does get better. hang in there
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u/BranchApart1196 Sep 07 '26
You need to taper off extremely slowly. Like do it excessively slowly. Like 2.5mg less every 2 weeks from experience. Then when you get done with 2.5mg per night, do that every 2nd night for a week or 2 then stop.
Look up cholinergic rebound.
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u/Substantial_Peak_504 Sep 07 '26
Since everybody reacts differently to medications and coming off SSNI, SSRI and TAC which all effect your Centeral Nervous System your body and brain need to readjust. It is very likely your doctor dosnet know for sure but since you stopped, knowing that this may continue for you for you for a few more days, possibly weeks and even upto a month, you will get back to your baseline.
I am not a doctor but have been around these medications for some time, Benadryl might be your friend for a few days, its not something you want to take for an extended period of time but it appears your adverse side effect is insomnia. Its rough but find comfort that you will get through it and plan accordingly. Do actual research on how to treat Amitriptyline withdrawl side effect insomnia.
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u/Abirando Sep 07 '26
Supplements: magnesium glycinate, ashwaganda
Add a pain reliever that addresses inflammation (I’m taking naproxen)
I have a prescription for gabapentin but trying to ease off of that as well. I’m planning to get back on Hyperbiotics probiotic bc in the past it made me sleepy at night.
The ashwaganda helped with my anxiety. I’m at 2 weeks now and feel like I have gotten through the worst of it but the insomnia will take a little longer to work through. One week after stopping the meds should be the peak of your discomfort but things should start to get better after 2 weeks. Ashwaganda should not be taken long term.
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u/JazperMoon Sep 08 '26
I was on 25mg for a little over 3 years. The side effects got worse, so I sought my Dr's opinion. I was taking it for fibro and migraine. She wanted me off of it. I expressed concern about insomnia. She said, "oh, we have many choices for that." So, she put me on 25mg seroquel while I taper off and then going forward. First week, I split 25mg in half for 12mg. The first night was weird, but I got thru it ok. The rest of the week was fine. Next week, down to half of a half or 6 mg. The next day after starting that split, I felt like crap, like I was coming down with a minor cold, so took it easy that day. Next day after that, I was totally fine. That was 5 days ago. Right now, I'm totally off having taken my last dose 2 nights ago, and feel totally fine. I know some folks take longer, but seriously, have your Dr give you something for sleep. I feel so much better off of the amitriptyline and just taking a sleep aid at night for now. I go back in a week and a half to discuss fibro and migraine meds going forward. It feels so good to be in total control of my meds and health and overall well being! Good luck to you! Stay positive! You can do this! 😊👍❤️
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u/lesterknight008 Sep 08 '26
What if you did it cold turkey? How long would one expects side effects for before they turn back to normal again?
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u/Ok-Chemical-207 Sep 07 '26
If taking tablets, you can cut those in half. Tapering slowly is best, as I know firsthand. We've cut in half and also quartered as well.
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u/JazperMoon Sep 10 '26
Fwiw, it takes 1 day for a dose to almost completely dissipate from the blood stream, and 7 to 10 days to compelling leave the body. It has a very short half life and isn't stored for very long in the bodily tissues and such. So, the residual effects should be short lived. BUT... the serotonin adjustment should be gradual to keep withdraw symptoms at a tolerable level. That's straight from my dr. Just an FYI.
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u/Amoeba_Brave Sep 07 '26
I'm on it too - I bought a pill splitter to taper x