"i was recently diagnosed with a pinched nerve in the mid-upper back due to scoliosis (at age 66).  i have suffered pain in both the mid to upper back as well as my lower back.  a friend who recently broke her back told me i needed to ask my doctor about elavil.  i was very familiar with this drug as i took it 40 years ago for panic attacks.  i was on 10 mg for 2 weeks and have now been on 25 mg for 2 weeks.  my upper back pain is virtually gone and if i do have break through pain, i can usually control it with chinese herbal warming gel, biofreez and dmso.  i am sold on this medication!  not 100% pain free yet but am at last 95% pain free."