Question 1

i have been taking 75mg of nortriptyline for my ibs pain as advised for the past 2 weeks now. my dosage was increased from 50mg to 75mg. i have noticed some improvement. wanted to ask how long does antidepressant keep improving pain in ibs?

Accepted Answer

: It is a very individual thing. I am glad you are better. Pl ask your prescribing doc for the length of treatment

Question 2

i take amitriptyline for functional dyspepsia/ibs, it works well started at 5mg but with each inc it stops working and i am at 20 mg. it makes me severely tired 24/7. what other tryclics can i ask my doctor about besides nortriptyline? perhaps imip?

Accepted Answer

: You can try desipramine (Norpramin) at 25 mg starting dose, dose can be titrated up every 2 weeks as needed to a max dose of 100 mg.

Question 3

amitriptyline works and stops working with each increase and i am very tired on it, after 1 week on each dose increase, from 5mg to now 20mg and i have lower abdominal burning/ibs. what medications besides nortriptyline should i ask my doctor about?

Accepted Answer

: There are several drugs in this category(called TCAs) and as a class these drugs(Amitriptyline, Imipramine and Nortriptyline) are sometimes used as antidepressants. But these are old drugs and do not work well compared to more modern antidepressants.
So you have 2 choices either to change over to another sister TCA drug or us one of the newer SSRIs. But you need to tell us why you are taking Amitr

Question 4

is imipramine less sedating than amitriptyline? i cannot tolerate nortriptyline it makes my heart race and amitriptyline makes me tired and stips working with each increase even though it works well for ibs/lower abdominal burning?

Accepted Answer

: Everyone is different. And drugs affect different people differently. You and your Dr are doing an experiment to find out what is best for you.  This is true of almost all meds.   Keep at it and you and team with find best one(s) for you.

Question 5

diagnosed with ibs - cramping and constipation. was prescribed nortrypline-no relief. alternatives?

Accepted Answer

Fiber supplements: One of the most effective treatments for IBS is to take a psyllium supplement (metamucil, citrocel) daily with water or juice.

Question 6

could nortriptyline be ruining my life?

Accepted Answer

Nortriptylene: Generally a doctor would prescribe an antidepressant like nortriptylene to help someone's life, not ruin it. Depression itself can ruin a life!  but this medicine can also bring side effects like rapid heart rate, dry mouth, constipation, and sexual problems. If you're having symptoms you think may be related to this medicine, it's time to discuss it with your doctor.  Other options are available.

Question 7

please describe the medication: nortriptyline?

Accepted Answer

Older antidepressant: Classified as a tricyclic antidepressant, and considered of modest benefit these days due to significant anti-cholinergic side effects (drowsiness, dizziness, dryness of mouth, blurring, and perhaps effect on bladder). Confusion may occur in older folks.  Had some value in migraine prevention at one point.  Used rarely these days as better meds are available.

Question 8

what would you consider a too high of a dose of nortriptyline?

Accepted Answer

Side effects persist: Established blood level measuring and therapeutic ranges are available to guide dosing and provide feedback if doses threaten safety for example cardiac.  
Most abandon meds that provide significant side effects.  They can be unpleasant but can cause various medical problems in their own right..Weight gain, dry eyes/mouth, urinary hesitancy, sedation, memory problems.  All are reversible.

Question 9

what is pamelor (nortriptyline) used for?

Accepted Answer

Pamelor (nortriptyline): Is an old tricyclic antidepressant used for depression, sleep, headache prophylaxis and some neurological ailments with pain.

Question 10

can nortriptyline help with neuropathic pain?

Accepted Answer

In some patients: Neuropathic pain is very difficult to treat.  Medications used to treat it include opiates, anticonvulsants (seizure medications), some antidepressants (such as nortriptyline and Cymbalta).  Some patients who have chronic pain respond very well to nortriptyline--and it has the added benefit of helping with sleep and depression (if present).  Also consider gabapentin, Lyrica (pregabalin) or Cymbalta.

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Doctor answers about:

Nortriptyline for ibs

A member asked:

I have been taking 75mg of nortriptyline for my ibs pain as advised for the past 2 weeks now. my dosage was increased from 50mg to 75mg. i have noticed some improvement. wanted to ask how long does antidepressant keep improving pain in ibs?

A member asked:

I take amitriptyline for functional dyspepsia/ibs, it works well started at 5mg but with each inc it stops working and i am at 20 mg. it makes me severely tired 24/7. what other tryclics can i ask my doctor about besides nortriptyline? perhaps imip?

A member asked:

Amitriptyline works and stops working with each increase and i am very tired on it, after 1 week on each dose increase, from 5mg to now 20mg and i have lower abdominal burning/ibs. what medications besides nortriptyline should i ask my doctor about?

A member asked:

Is imipramine less sedating than amitriptyline? i cannot tolerate nortriptyline it makes my heart race and amitriptyline makes me tired and stips working with each increase even though it works well for ibs/lower abdominal burning?

A member asked:

Diagnosed with ibs - cramping and constipation. was prescribed nortrypline-no relief. alternatives?

A member asked:

Could nortriptyline be ruining my life?

A member asked:

Please describe the medication: nortriptyline?

A member asked:

What would you consider a too high of a dose of nortriptyline?

A member asked:

What is pamelor (nortriptyline) used for?

A member asked:

Can nortriptyline help with neuropathic pain?

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