Amitriptyline/nortriptyline for abdominal wall pain

Posted by kremer1 @kremer1, 10 hours ago

Are there people that are taking either amitriptyline or nortriptyline for abdominal wall pain, adhesions, ACNE's? If so, what is your experience with side effects from those medications?
I had GB removal June 2023, started having issues about 5 months later that I think is from adhesions and/or ACNE's. I've had many imaging's done: endoscopy, colonoscopy, CT, ultrasound, also testing for SIBO. The gastroenterologist is stumped, and says take either amitriptyline or nortriptyline. I'm concerned about the side effects both short and long term.

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nycmusic | @nycmusic | 6 hours ago

First, that’s a lot of pain—and I hope you get relief…I am familiar with amitriptyline which helped several of my issues. All my docs are okay with it, including the osteopath and the oncologist…Normally an antidepressant given at 150mg—off-label for pain it is 5 or 10mg…. It can make you sleepy, so best taken at night…it also can make you thirsty…your docs probably have checked for any interactions with meds you are taking, for it to be safe for you. Good luck.

Janell, Volunteer Mentor | @jlharsh | 6 hours ago

I understand your concerns about side effects of taking drugs to help a problem only to create different problems. You may want to review what others are discussing about adhesions and nerve entrapments. They may have ideas of non-medical options.

- Abdominal Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome (ACNES) Discussion
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/acnes-abdominal-cutaneous-nerve-entrapment-syndrome/
- Abdominal adhesion, symptoms, and therapy or surgery? Discussion
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/abdominal-adhesion-symptoms-and-therapy-or-surgery/
If you haven’t reviewed, here is information drugs your gastroenterologist recommends:
- VeryWell Health Nortriptyline vs Amitriptyline
https://www.verywellhealth.com/nortriptyline-vs-amitriptyline-similarities-and-differences-8410179
- Mayo Clinic Nortriptolyne Overview
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/nortriptyline-oral-route/description/drg-20071998
- Mayo Clinic Amitriptyline
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/amitriptyline-oral-route/description/drg-20072061
I am tagging @artemis1886, @findbecky and @emo. They may have information from their or a family member’s experience with amitriptyline or nortriptyline that may help you. While you wait for them, and others to comment here you may want to search for the drugs from the home page. From there you can browse through what others have been discussing.

You mention having issues. If you are comfortable it may help others to know how to comment if you provide more about the symptoms/problems you are having. Also, do you have specific concerns about either of these drugs, and do you take other medications that may interact?

findbecky | @findbecky | 5 hours ago

In reply to @jlharsh "I understand your concerns about side effects of taking drugs to help a problem only to..." + (show)

@jlharsh wish I could provide more insight, but I take Amitriptyline to help prevent migraines. I’ve been on a steady dose of 100mg nightly for almost a year now (working up from 10mg) and haven’t experienced any side effects myself.
I wish you all the best.