Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Be wary of side effects from Elavil/Amitriptyline

Hi Lisa, so glad you feel better on Elavil!

I just wanted to throw in my experience from Elavil, so everyone is aware that there can be side effects. I was prescribed Elavil after being diagnosed with Fibro, since it's an AD that is often prescribed for sleeping problems (I hadn't slept for 5 days at that time). The doctor pointed out that it would have the positive side effect of helping my IBS as well. Anyhow, I was on it for a couple months, and it did its job -- I was able to sleep for the first time in ages. But that is where the positives end. I can honestly say I HATE elavil. It ruined my life for the next two years. I gained 30 pounds in one month (!!), and my metabolism got so out of wack that I was eating everything in sight. I felt like I had lost control, and even though I quit taking the Elavil, my metabolism was seriously screwed up for a VERY long time. I went from being a thin, active girl, to a 30 lb heavier seriously depressed person within ONE month. The worst part was feeling like I had lost control. I could not be alone in the house for 5 minutes without raiding the kitchen. I would eat and eat and eat, everything in sight, even if it wasn't mine! Long story short, I developed an eating disorder, on top of all the other problems. I would venture to say Elavil had serious long term psychological effects on me, long after I stopped taking it.

About that same time (this was summer 2005), another active board member (Ruchie) had the same response to Elavil. She gained alot of weight within the first month or so as well, and couldn't get it off.

Granted, it doesn't affect everyone this way. But there are quite a few of us it does. Google elavil and weight gain, and you'll get quite a few hits. According to this site, Elavil causes a general weight gain of 1-9 lbs in a month, but a minority of patients gain 30-45 lbs in 2 to 6 months. I was the unlucky minority, unfortunately.

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Heather

"Quod me Nutrit me Destruit"

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