"i take amitriptyline for chronic pain and insomnia.  i have suffered with insomnia for most of my life and nothing seemed to work.  i also had 3 level cervical-spinal fusion/ chronic pain/major trochanter bursitis. i recently moved to a new state and found a life saver in my new doctor.  along with my normal pain management (morphine/vicodin/muscle relaxer) he suggested elavil.  i was weary at first, but thought why not.  because of my high tolerance to medicines, he started me out at 50mg.  after 1 week, i was amazed. i slept through the night and my pain seemed to subside to tolerable.  after a few dosage adjustments, i am now on 100mg and with the exception of weight gain, i am so very happy."