My runny nose has subsided for the most part. It's still there a bit, but not as bad as it's been.
I think things have run towards my stomach now. I am having some stomach issues and they aren't too bad, but definitely there.
I also have this feeling of severe drunkenness in regards to my balance, the room spinning, feeling fatigued. It feels like I can't be on my feet for longer than 10-20 minutes and I'm feeling disoriented. I also feel like I can't remember a lot and I'm having trouble finding the right word for things.
I will keep posting through my withdrawal. It is scary to not know what to expect and I hope I can help others who are trying to get through this at some point.
I see Dr. Leddy (concussion doctor) on Monday, and we'll go from there in regards to my next steps.
Day 10 - I thought I might be through the worst, but the runny/stuffy/itchy nose and eyes started up again yesterday.
I'm having trouble moving past this in so many ways. I feel stuck. Physically, emotionally stuck. It's frustrating and it makes me just want to go numb.
My husband is being perfect. He's supportive without being overbearing. I have a great relationship with God. It's just a weird place to be. I want to move past this feeling of "stuck".
I slept for 5-6 hours last night, and about the same the night before, so I'm sure that's not helping matters.
Doctor tomorrow.
Day 14 - It's getting easier every day. I still have a runny nose from time to time. My stomach has been bothering me a good amount. It's not constant anymore.
I'm not having as much trouble sleeping as I thought I would. I've been consistently waking up once a night. I'm waking up with a hot sweaty flash.
It's hard to stay asleep in the morning when I wake up from a noise or something. I've just been getting up instead of trying to fall back to sleep.
I try to lay down during the day a few times to rest, and that's been helping things.
Day 17 - Had another relapse of withdrawal symptoms yesterday and today. I'd pay good money for my body to start producing natural antihistamine again!
It's tough to do anything when your nose is running like a faucet. I haven't been getting the hot flashes for the last few days. My stomach is settling down. I think things are getting better day by day.
It's hard to imagine while I'm in the middle of all this that I'll come out of it. I know the doctors said 3-4 weeks and I'm not even at 3 weeks yet, but it seems like it's been such a long time.
On the plus side, I've been able to string some consistent days together on the treadmill. I need to make sure I keep hydrating and eating to get through this withdrawal.
DAY 30 - Oct 16:
It's Saturday, the day I typically go through a relapse of withdrawal symptoms. I have a little sniffle, but it's not bad. I don't know if I'll relapse today, but I'm hoping that I don't. I didn't have any problems last night, and I usually start the night before.
I am still having a little bit of trouble with waking up in the night. I have to force my self to stay in bed and believe I'll get back to sleep. At first, I feel so wide awake. My nose gets runny, my throat is dry. It feels like I won't get back to sleep and I should just get up. If I make sure to stay in bed and keep my eyes closed, I can get back to sleep sometimes. Usually, I use that time to beg God to get me back to sleep. Today I slept until 9:30, which is pretty good for me!
If today I'm relapse free, I will feel like the withdrawal is over. So, for those of you who are discouraged and feel like it'll never end, HANG IN THERE! You can do it! There have been several times that I felt like I wanted to give up and get back on the meds. I am so glad that I've stuck it out. 30 days is a long time when you are going through these horrible feelings day after day.
I'll keep posting about the recovery from my Amitriptyline withdrawal, and let you guys know if I relapse today.
DAY 32 - Oct 18
Ok, I was wrong. I just relapsed last night again. I started the runny nose and all that comes with it along with a pretty bad migraine. I took a Maxalt and fell asleep eventually. I woke up just as bad as the last time. Runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes..... ugh! It's really rough.
I'll keep you posted as to how long it lasts for.... :-(
Hi Kate,
ReplyDeleteI just finished reading this part of your withdrawal (Day 7- 32 updates). I'm not sure how I missed this the first time.
I had the night sweats too after about 2-3 weeks of stopping the Elavil in 2000 when my doctor stopped me cold turkey. It lasted about 2 months. I forgot about that withdrawal period separate from 1995 which was not a completed withdrawal.
I also had stomach problems and watery stools for about 6-8 months, but that might have been Xanax withdrawal at the same time. This all happened in 2000 due to an overdose which hospitalized me. I forgot all about this episode. Please don't anyone try to overdose on any drug. It's very dangerous as I found out the hard way.
Today I'm on day 7th day of my Elavil withdrawal. I'm starting to think I won't attempt a Klonopin withdrawal. I tried already in 2008 for 8 months and could not stand it any longer. Benzodiazepine drug withdrawals are worse than heroin I have been told more than once...in case anyone is on a Benzo such as Klonopin, Xanax or Valium. If you must, it must be done extremely slowly weaned off.
I have been taking Benadryl heavily since 2005, but mostly to help me sleep. Antihistamines do not provide much relief for me with the Elavil because the withdrawal creates a Non-Allergic Rhinitis (NAR)...meaning it's not caused by histamine such as an allergy. However if you do have allergies, you should ask your doctor of an alternative. I've been taking weekly immune therapy allergy shots for almost 2 years with not much relief....thinking that this whole thing is allergies. But I never had allergies before 2004 when the runny noses began. I'm still in the dark on that since I've been on Elavil since 1993. Perhaps it's the combination of meds that I'm on, but really I have no clue and neither does my doctor on that.
I have also been on Bentyl since the 2000 overdose to treat the loose stools, and Atrovent nasal spray (which provides the most relief to the drippy nose). Lastly I'm taking Sudafed (which now you need a prescription in Oregon for), and it helps a lot, but I try to conserve it and use it only in the worst of times of runny nose.
Atrovent, Bentyl and Elavil are all "anticholinergic" drugs, so my guess is that I need to wean off those as well. I think I should do it all together since I only have 3 weeks until I have to work again. Then I can use Sudafed when I need it. But for you it was 9 weeks which really is scary. I will need to be more dependent on our Lord Jesus more than ever if I do this. However...logic tells me to wean off one at a time, and not go cold turkey. The drug fact sheet for Atrovent nasal spray says it's topical and does not enter the blood stream. Perhaps that makes it safe to still use. The Bentyl is a pill though prescribed mostly for bowel syndrome such as IBS or Crohn's disease.
Please, anyone here, ask your doctor first before taking my ideas because I'm only guessing, trying to use logic. My doctor is not as knowledgable as your doctor in Buffalo. I sure wish I lived there. I also love the snow since I was a child :-). We don't see much of it here.
My wife have an 8 month old daughter with a tracheostomy tube in her neck due to paralyzed vocal chords. The hospital bills forced me into bankruptcy because we did not qualify for SSD as my salary is too high. Not working is not an option. If 4 weeks is not enough time, I'll need to use up all my sick leave and possibly go without pay. But, again, God is at the helm of my life and I need to trust his course and plan for me, and my family.
Thank you so much for your replies, feedback, your blog, and most of all your sharing your fellowship with our Mighty Lord. He is all knowing, all powerful and I need to trust him as you have.
God Bless Always,
Roger
Hi Kate,
ReplyDeleteI just finished reading this part of your withdrawal (Day 7- 32 updates). I'm not sure how I missed this the first time.
I had the night sweats too after about 2-3 weeks of stopping the Elavil in 2000 when my doctor stopped me cold turkey. It lasted about 2 months. I forgot about that withdrawal period separate from 1995 which was not a completed withdrawal.
I also had stomach problems and watery stools for about 6-8 months, but that might have been Xanax withdrawal at the same time. This all happened in 2000 due to an overdose which hospitalized me. I forgot all about this episode. Please don't anyone try to overdose on any drug. It's very dangerous as I found out the hard way.
Today I'm on day 7th day of my Elavil withdrawal. I'm starting to think I won't attempt a Klonopin withdrawal. I tried already in 2008 for 8 months and could not stand it any longer. Benzodiazepine drug withdrawals are worse than heroin I have been told more than once...in case anyone is on a Benzo such as Klonopin, Xanax or Valium. If you must, it must be done extremely slowly weaned off.
I have been taking Benadryl heavily since 2005, but mostly to help me sleep. Antihistamines do not provide much relief for me with the Elavil because the withdrawal creates a Non-Allergic Rhinitis (NAR)...meaning it's not caused by histamine such as an allergy. However if you do have allergies, you should ask your doctor of an alternative. I've been taking weekly immune therapy allergy shots for almost 2 years with not much relief....thinking that this whole thing is allergies. But I never had allergies before 2004 when the runny noses began. I'm still in the dark on that since I've been on Elavil since 1993. Perhaps it's the combination of meds that I'm on, but really I have no clue and neither does my doctor on that.
I have also been on Bentyl since the 2000 overdose to treat the loose stools, and Atrovent nasal spray (which provides the most relief to the drippy nose). Lastly I'm taking Sudafed (which now you need a prescription in Oregon for), and it helps a lot, but I try to conserve it and use it only in the worst of times of runny nose.
Atrovent, Bentyl and Elavil are all "anticholinergic" drugs, so my guess is that I need to wean off those as well. I think I should do it all together since I only have 3 weeks until I have to work again. Then I can use Sudafed when I need it. But for you it was 9 weeks which really is scary. I will need to be more dependent on our Lord Jesus more than ever if I do this. However...logic tells me to wean off one at a time, and not go cold turkey. The drug fact sheet for Atrovent nasal spray says it's topical and does not enter the blood stream. Perhaps that makes it safe to still use. The Bentyl is a pill though prescribed mostly for bowel syndrome such as IBS or Crohn's disease.
Please, anyone here, ask your doctor first before taking my ideas because I'm only guessing, trying to use logic. My doctor is not as knowledgable as your doctor in Buffalo. I sure wish I lived there. I also love the snow since I was a child :-). We don't see much of it here.
Thank you so much for your replies, feedback, your blog, and most of all your sharing your fellowship with our Mighty Lord. He is all knowing, all powerful and I need to trust him as you have. I also thank my wife a lot for trying to understand.
God Bless Always,
Roger
Hi Kate,
ReplyDeleteI just finished reading this part of your withdrawal (Day 7- 32 updates). I'm not sure how I missed this the first time.
I had the night sweats too after about 2-3 weeks of stopping the Elavil in 2000 when my doctor stopped me cold turkey. It lasted about 2 months. I forgot about that withdrawal period separate from 1995 which was not a completed withdrawal.
I also had stomach problems and watery stools for about 6-8 months, but that might have been Xanax withdrawal at the same time. This all happened in 2000 due to an overdose which hospitalized me. I forgot all about this episode. Please don't anyone try to overdose on any drug. It's very dangerous as I found out the hard way.
Today I'm on day 7th day of my Elavil withdrawal. I'm starting to think I won't attempt a Klonopin withdrawal. I tried already in 2008 for 8 months and could not stand it any longer. Benzodiazepine drug withdrawals are worse than heroin I have been told more than once...in case anyone is on a Benzo such as Klonopin, Xanax or Valium. If you must, it must be done extremely slowly weaned off.
I have been taking Benadryl heavily since 2005, but mostly to help me sleep. Antihistamines do not provide much relief for me with the Elavil because the withdrawal creates a Non-Allergic Rhinitis (NAR)...meaning it's not caused by histamine such as an allergy. However if you do have allergies, you should ask your doctor of an alternative. I've been taking weekly immune therapy allergy shots for almost 2 years with not much relief....thinking that this whole thing is allergies. But I never had allergies before 2004 when the runny noses began. I'm still in the dark on that since I've been on Elavil since 1993. Perhaps it's the combination of meds that I'm on, but really I have no clue and neither does my doctor on that.
I have also been on Bentyl since the 2000 overdose to treat the loose stools, and Atrovent nasal spray (which provides the most relief to the drippy nose). Lastly I'm taking Sudafed (which now you need a prescription in Oregon for), and it helps a lot, but I try to conserve it and use it only in the worst of times of runny nose.
Atrovent, Bentyl and Elavil are all "anticholinergic" drugs, so my guess is that I need to wean off those as well. I think I should do it all together since I only have 3 weeks until I have to work again. Then I can use Sudafed when I need it. But for you it was 9 weeks which really is scary. I will need to be more dependent on our Lord Jesus more than ever if I do this. However...logic tells me to wean off one at a time, and not go cold turkey. The drug fact sheet for Atrovent nasal spray says it's topical and does not enter the blood stream. Perhaps that makes it safe to still use. The Bentyl is a pill though prescribed mostly for bowel syndrome such as IBS or Crohn's disease.
Please, anyone here, ask your doctor first before taking my ideas because I'm only guessing, trying to use logic.
Thank you so much for your replies, feedback, your blog, and most of all your sharing your fellowship with our Mighty Lord. He is all knowing, all powerful and I need to trust him as you have. I also thank my wife a lot for trying to understand.
God Bless Always,
Roger
Hello Kate and Others,
ReplyDeleteI think (hope) this is the worse of the runny nose today, day 8. I lost so much fluid I got a massive dehydration headache and was unable to produce a sample for the lab. Saw my doc today, and he agreed to give me 25mg tabs so I can taper slower. He continued to push Geodon on me, but it's too new of a drug, and I'm scared to death of something so new with not much experience known about it. I will tough out the Amitryptiline withdrawal to the end before I experiment with any new drug. I also stopped the Valeran Root, GABA, Benadryl, but I regretfully had to cheat with the Atrovent nasal spray just so I could leave the house. Hope I don't have to cheat to work again in 3 weeks. I hope that I'm helping someone here. I'm going to start a blog with a link to this one.
Thanks,
Roger
Take Care,
Roger
Hi Kate,
ReplyDeleteWhen you said you had stomach problems, did you have any long periods of hiccups that were stubborn to end? I am beginning to have stomach and digestive issues as well with constant hiccups for 2 days.. I've been taking the nasal spray (Atrovent) because without it I cannot do the things that must be done. My trip to Spokane for my baby's MRI is not helping matters. Thank you so much and let's keep the faith on Him with all power and wisdom.
Thanks,
Roger
Hey Roger,
ReplyDeleteYes, I do remember having hiccup issues here and there. Never quite as long as you are having them! I would have them for an hour or so, but they would come and go for a while. I'm sorry you have so much on your shoulders right now! Praying for you, your wife, and your baby!
Kate
Thanks Kate for your reply. I had to cheat a bit but after a while the Atrovent lost it's effectiveness. I also took a Bentyl and suddenly the hiccups went away. It is an anti-spasmodic anticholinergic drug. I just got back from Spokane. I'm so tired. Thank you for your prayers!
ReplyDeleteIn Gods greatness and Love, and my prayers for you and your family,
Merry Christmas,
Roger
Hi Kate,
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and your family today. The weather outside is frightening :-)... It's supposed to clear and get to 60! I love snow and really rather have a white Christmas. New England will get nailed with a huge nor'easter. Then you will get Lake Effect. Anyway, I got off on a tangent. I'm a meteorologist, I can't help it. Sorry.
My runny nose is still as bad as ever...just won't stop. I can't sleep and the headaches are incredible. My wife have been silent and I'm so lonely. I can't be with them because of so much using the tissue and it looks so ugly. I'm trying to drink as much water as possible, but I have no appetite. I lost 10 pounds (which is good because I'm overweight, but I know it's too fast. I need exercise so bad to release tension, but I just can't get out of the house so I do them in bed and stretch and try to sweat...which is very easy.
Today is a good day to begin the 2 week read plan. Thank you so much for the link. I thank God so much for your blog, your fellowship, encouragement and friendship (in this cyber world:-) God is great, God is all knowing, and God is all powerful. I believe he could heal both you and me completely, but I will trust His reason and purpose. But I'll keep praying for you as well. Please pray for my marriage. I have too much pride perhaps. I'm trying to find every sin in my life and repent...with God's help.
God Bless You and have a Merry Christmas and a happy new year!
Roger
By the way, are you a Patriots rival Bills fan? :-) I'm not sure the status of the Pats this year. I'm from N. E. Originally.
ReplyDeletehi kate bit late seeing your site everything iv just read about your withdrawal from amitriptyline is happening to me im going through a bad time at the moment ..been on amitriptyline over 2 and a half years tried weening off them but had withdrawls had to go back on them got fed up with taking them so i thought id just stop .was ok the first few days then began to get runny nose sneezing bad migrains 6 weeks into stoppng im still getting the same symptoms when will the withdrawl come to an end went on them for anxiety and depression in the first place not did me much good im in a worst state now with different symptoms my head feels like its going to explode and feel sick some days is there an end to this
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear that you are going through this horrible withdrawal! I'm much better now and don't have any lasting effects from it. I had a couple of relapses here and there, but am done with it now.
ReplyDeleteI can safely say I will never go back on that medication ever again! There is a light at the end of the tunnel for sure. I think it was 4-5 months before I wasn't experiencing daily problems from it.
Keep your chin up! You will get through this!
hi kate,
ReplyDeleteI cant hardly find anything online for my withdrawl from amitryp. I have been on it for 13 years. But I want to have a child and my gyno kept telling me to get off of it. So I weaned off, too quick, 2 weeks. And I am having the worst withdrawal symptoms. I have had migraines everyday, all day. I'm dizzy and feel terrible. Its been 10 days. I just wish I knew when this was going to end. I got some strong tyenol type pills from my doctor, after going to the hospital and crying like a crazy person. Do you have any idea how long this is going to last? I know its not good for anyone to have a headache this long. I just feel like theres no light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you Kat
Hi Kat,
ReplyDeleteSorry, I saw this comment late. I'm sorry you are having such a hard time with the Amitriptyline withdrawal! It's terrible that it's so bad and there is little information about it. How have you been? For me the withdrawal symptoms lasted about 3-4 months total. They got easier with time, but I was glad when it was done. I'll never go on that med again.
Amitriptyline has a long half-life and it takes a while to recycle itself out of your system. It also weaves its way around your brain and into a lot of your functions. When you've been on it for so long, it takes longer to leave your body.
Hang in there. I pray you will find some comfort and relief from this terrible thing!
Kate