Guest guest Posted June 9, 2003 Report Share Posted June 9, 2003 Hi Tess: Just curious.........how long have you been taking Elavil and did you have a weight problem before you started taking it or has a majority of the weight come on since? The other thing, my doctor told me last year, besides the weight gain and the rapid pulse was there was the possibility, it could cause breast enlargement. For me, she said the jury was still out even though I had had a breast reduction in " 75 and have nearly the same problem again. Thanks for your lovely poem again. It was very timely for Carol. You have an old soul. Love and prayers, Jan +/:=) tess_northwest@... wrote: Hi...yes, we do all react differently to various medicines. Having suffered with, at times, very serious insomnia, the only thing that has helped is 30 mg. of elavil an hour or so before bed time. I have been on everything from melatonin to ambien to neurontin to trazadone and have had horrible and frightening experiences. On this relatively low dose of elavil, my sleep has improved probably 90%. Now, it does not do anything to help pain for me, nor does it treat depression. I do have other medicines for those issues. I've been in the hospital twice for the effects of prolonged and extreme insomnia. I'm glad to take my elavil. Sometimes I wonder if I get healther and stronger through exercise and healthier eating, if perhaps I won't need anything to sleep! That would be glorious! But, genetics may be involved...my Mom is 81 and to this day only gets a few hours of sleep each night, and has an earplug in her ear ALL night for the many times she wakes up! She would never think of taking any med for sleep. I don't want to follow in her shoes for this agenda. Much Love... Tess Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2004 Report Share Posted October 24, 2004 Rob, I take 75 mg. of Elavil each evening, no side effects, no cloudy brain or anything. Elavil is not a medication that can be taken 'only sometimes' or irregularly because of its mechanism as a serontin transmitter. When I first started taking it, I felt a complete difference (for the better in 4 days) - but as my doctor said, " just wait " . It takes Elavil a good 3 months or so to really be working. I would be lost without it now - it gave me a life! A great one too! I completely understand you wanting no cloudy brain. I hope you can find a doctor who can get you on a consistent stable dose that works for you. Gretchen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2004 Report Share Posted October 27, 2004 hi this is eula...i am still in the process of being evaluated for CMT....it has a large past history in my family... but i had severe leg kicks during the night that kept me waking up..i have fibromyalia, osteoarthritis, blephorspasms, sleep apnea, insomnia,,..my sleep specialist took me off elavil because it can make the leg spasms and jurking worse....i am taking neurotin and klonipin both at night and smaller doses in morning .....i have not had any serious leg cramps or jerking since... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2004 Report Share Posted October 27, 2004 it is possible for the elavil to cause cloudiness of brain....i went through a period of a few months when i couldnt concentrate and seemed confused and had trouble remembering...my doctor took me off elavil because it increased my leg jerking..but that's a question i am going to ask next time i see her... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2004 Report Share Posted October 27, 2004 Hi Rob, I am kind of behind reading my email. I take elavil, have for years. I first started taking it when my neck would act up from breaking it years ago. I would just take a small dose. It worked wonders. Well the my MDA doctor upped my dose to alot.. so I sleep very well now. But I too would wake all groggy and head would be cloudy. Almost lost my job over it. So the next time I went to see my MDA doctor I asked her about provigil(I had read it as a new medication on another web site for CMT.) It works wonders !!!! Within an hour, I am awake, focused and feel great. (except for my usual aches and pains from the disease.) But at least I can concentrate at work, putting in more hours in as well. You might want to ask your doctor about it. Because Elavil is awesome if you give it some time. Good luck... Laurie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2004 Report Share Posted October 27, 2004 Hi Rob, Sorry I forgot to tell you the dose of elavil she has me on. 100 mg a nite. Now you can see why I was groggy and didnt want to get out of bed. LOL I have to keep my job or I will lose my insurance so I had to do something. I am glad I found provigil. I call it " my wake up pill " Laurie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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