Taking amitriptyline for neuropathy?

Hi, @meow59
I assume you like cats? I have 8 and a proud “cat lady!” lol

I have spinal stenosis, DDD and small fiber neuropathy. Mya arms/hands/fingers and legs/feet get numb regularly (used to get a lot more burning/tingling/pins and needles but my neuropathy has progressed to mostly numbness now). When I was first diagnosed with small fiber neuropathy, my neurologist prescribed me a low dose of amitriptyline and I had to stop soon after because I could not function on it (made me too tired to work/take care of daily responsibilities). I stopped taking it and then started to take alpha Lipoic acid and Acetyl l carnitine supplements which are known to help small fiber neuropathy. My burning/pins and needs in my feet improved and my numbness in my calf improved. Another alternative to amitriptyline is Cymbalta or generic Duloxetine. I was out on Duloxetine and it did help reduce nerve pain (it is also used for osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and depression). If you have chronic pain and depression, Cymbalta/Duloxetine may be a better option for you. Talk to your doctor about alternatives if you are getting bad side effects from the amitriptyline. Good luck!

Hi, @meow59
I assume you like cats? I have 8 and a proud “cat lady!” lol

I have spinal stenosis, DDD and small fiber neuropathy. Mya arms/hands/fingers and legs/feet get numb regularly (used to get a lot more burning/tingling/pins and needles but my neuropathy has progressed to mostly numbness now). When I was first diagnosed with small fiber neuropathy, my neurologist prescribed me a low dose of amitriptyline and I had to stop soon after because I could not function on it (made me too tired to work/take care of daily responsibilities). I stopped taking it and then started to take alpha Lipoic acid and Acetyl l carnitine supplements which are known to help small fiber neuropathy. My burning/pins and needs in my feet improved and my numbness in my calf improved. Another alternative to amitriptyline is Cymbalta or generic Duloxetine. I was out on Duloxetine and it did help reduce nerve pain (it is also used for osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and depression). If you have chronic pain and depression, Cymbalta/Duloxetine may be a better option for you. Talk to your doctor about alternatives if you are getting bad side effects from the amitriptyline. Good luck!

I take the lowest dosage available of nortriptyline (10mg) at bedtime with my other meds, and it helps contain my PN numbness in my toes/feet so I can sleep with minimal sedation upon rising from bed in the morning. I also apply lidocaine to my toes/feet and wear warm thick socks (not tight) for sleeping, which helps. But before I took nortriptyline, I tried amitriptyline (25 mg) and I could not handle the increased sedation it caused, so I switched to nortriptyline, with a much better outcome. It made a difference.

Please use caution when combining amitriptyline with tramadol, due to the potential increase with sedation, etc., but I'm no doctor, so you may want to discuss with your doctor. I've also found it helps to chat with my pharmacist about medications and potential conflicts. Good luck!