Problems with taking Valium and Elavil together

[MC]

Does anyone know if there is a problem with taking Elavil at doses of 30-50mg with an occasional Valium? I currently take the Elavil daily at night but wish to try a Valium pre sex to relax my muscles in order to reduce the post sex pain. I know they are both different types of drugs but I want to make sure that there won't be a problem taking both at the same time. I have read all the posts on both drugs on this forum as well as searched online and the answers I have found thus far seem vague or maybe I'm misunderstanding them. I will see my GP today to ask about Valium but I have learned it is always good to get some other opinions too. So please let me know what you guys know or have tried.

BTW I always like to add that I do two 30 minute stretch sessions daily and about 30 minutes of relaxation. The drugs are only to get me by until I am healed.

Thanks again

[webslave]

BTW, a good Elavil alternative is mirtazapine (Remeron).

[lookouth]

I took Ativan (benzo) 1mg every night plus 30mgs of Elavil every night for about two months straight. I eventually stopped as PT started kicking in, and because I was feeling constantly worn out and fuzzy headed. I stopped the Ativan first thinking that was causing it, but didn't get significant relief from my fatigue until I stopped the Elavil as well. Since then I have taken Ativan once or twice a week as needed and hardly feel any side effects. As far as I can ntell, and from what my doctors have told me, there is no drug interaction per-se but personally I feel like there might be a synergistic effect which ended up making me very tired.

[MastCells]

MC, you can take Valium while on Elavil, but it may increase drowsiness and dizziness and impair your driving, etc. I would discuss this with your doc and/or pharmacist.

[MC]

I spoke with my GP yesturday and he put me on 50mg of Elavil up from 30. I'll taper 10mg each week. He also put me on 2mg pills of Valium which I'll try tonight. But I'll split the 2mg in half so it will only be 1mg. That way it won't be as extreme since I am getting used to the 40mg of Elavil this week. I'll make sure to write back after I've taken this combo for a while. That would be 50mg each day of Elavil and 1-2mg of Valium two times a week pre ejaculation.

Thanks a lot for all the advice.

[MC]

Well I tried the 1 mg split pill of Valium the other night along with 40mg of Elavil. I felt the Elavil (I took it first) but didn't feel anything from 1mg of Valium. I assume the dose was way too low for me even used in conjuction with the Elavil. So this week I'll try the full 2mg pill along with the Elavil. How much Valium have you guys used in order to relax your muscles? I mean to really relax them as well as sedate your whole body in a way that is similar to the relaxing experiance I get when I have several beers. Like I said before, drinking alchohol was the only thing that would truly relax my symptoms post sex but I'm not really a big drinker and it is surely a bad plan.

Thanks again

[MastCells]

Well I tried the 1 mg split pill of Valium the other night along with 40mg of Elavil. I felt the Elavil (I took it first) but didn't feel anything from 1mg of Valium. I assume the dose was way too low for me even used in conjuction with the Elavil. So this week I'll try the full 2mg pill along with the Elavil. How much Valium have you guys used in order to relax your muscles?

You should take the lowest dose possible to achieve the desired effects (muscle relaxation), etc. Valium comes in tablets of 2 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg. You could try the 2 mg dose with your doctor's permission, but keep in mind that the risk of physical and/or psychological dependence increases as the dose increases.

Another option might be to ask your doctor about the centrally acting alpha-2 andrenergic agonist Zanaflex (tizanidine HCl), a muscle relaxant not used to treat anxiety, although that drug might really knock you out :icon1: (but it isn't as addictive as Valium). I think that Elavil and Zanaflex can be taken together, but this is something to ask your doctor and pharmacist (IME, PharmDs are more knowledgeable about drug interactions than MDs; I don't think the public understands how important pharmacists are).

[MC]

I have tapered my dose of Elavil up to 40mg (1 dose before bed but prior to meditating/stretching) from 30mg over the past 2 weeks and I notice definite improvments with the average discomfort level. I plan on tapering up to 50mg over the next two weeks to see if it further effects my discomfort.

Taking Elavil and Valium together did not seem to cause any side effects for me. But the dose of Valium was clearly too low for me at 2mgs. I started by splitting a 2mg into a 1mg then slowly tapered up to 4mgs (2 2mg pills). All seemed fine with Elavil, for me anyways. But 1-3 mgs barely did anything for me. 4mg started to have a sedative effect though not nearly as strong as if I drank 3-6 beers. My doctor now says I should try between 5 and 10mgs and get back to him. He understands that I only want to take Valium 2 times a week pre sex in order to relax my muscles and mind. Hopfully this will work similar to the pleasant effect alchohol has on some of us.

Recap-if I drink a fair amount I have no post sex pain. In fact it feels like I don't even have chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome for about 24 hours. I predict it is because alchohol relaxes the muscles and mind which keeps me from overdoing sex. Again, just my observations, not medical advice.

Thanks