Meir:

Actually Elavil is not a bad choice for chronic pain management. Non-addictive. Generally very well tolerated even at the higher doses used to treat depression. Pain control is acheived at much lower doses and so has less likelihood of causing the side effects than when treating depression. Non sedating so unlikely to interfere with your Mom's driving. I pulled some info off the net for you.

====================================================================================
Amitriptyline (Elavil) 
 
One of a group of Heterocyclic antidepressants (formerly called tricyclics) that are safe and effective for up to 80 percent of all people with depression who take them. 

Most common side effects: 
Blurred Vision, Constipation, Dizziness, Dry Mouth, Urine Retention, Confusion. 

Occasional side effects: 
Sweating, Racing Heartbeat, Low Blood Pressure, Skin Reactions, Sun Sensitivity. 

Least common side effects: (very rare)
Narrow-Angle Glaucoma Aggravation, Seizures 

====================================================================================
Good luck!

Yvonne
Mommy to Anthony, 4 years old, CP (driving us crazy with "Knock,Knock" jokes!!!)



>>> [log in to unmask] 11/27/01 08:58AM >>>
my mother is fibro osrewo

she is now misrable

in great pain

and only given the option of elavil as the next step in

the medical cocktail

she doesn't want.

elavil she is worried will not allow her to drive a car

my feeling is

her options are now far better in MORE MODERN PAIN R elief options

without bankrupting her

please contact me directly asap

m