Posted by JohnL on November 2, 2001, at 2:04:46
In reply to ****Survey****: T.C.A. Drug Use, posted by jay on October 31, 2001, at 5:49:31
>
> I am interested in getting an idea of who, and how many, have tried traditional tricyclic a.d's. Basically, what med, dose, how long, and what positive/negative effects did it have.? In particular, if you can relate your story to newer generation a.d's..SRI's/SNRI's...etc. Thanks. Jay :-)Hi,
I have tried 4 different TCAs, though only about a week each.The first was Nortriptyline 50mg in combination with Zoloft 100mg. It was helpful, but sexual side effects from Zoloft were too much and I dumped the whole thing. Nortriptyline was good for sleep. Side effects not too bad.
Then came Protriptyline. I lasted one day on that one. It was nasty. Wicked dry mouth, wicked blurry eyes, wicked constipation, over energized, yikes.
Third was Clomipramine. I gave up on it pretty fast because it just didn't feel right. It felt like a very powerful SSRI, and that was not what I was looking for.
And most recently, now actually, I am trying Desipramine. It worked in 3 hours. No 6 week wait on that baby. I like Desipramine. It's mildly activating, yet calming and peaceful at the same time. I feel more motivated, active, energetic, and yet it is in a calm way. Currently I take 12.5mg in the morning. Because my primary AD is Prozac, Prozac happens to increase the blood levels of Desipramine anywhere from 2 to 5 times, so my small dose is actually a lot larger than it would appear. I've been sampling Desipramine now for almost a week. Side effects are dryish mouth, urinary hesitancy, urinary urgency, and I don't sleep as good. But these side effects are mild.
There was a clinical study a long time ago where they did a Ritalin Challenge test. They gave Ritalin to patients. If a patient responded well to Ritalin, then that predicted a good response to Desipramine. If the reaction to Ritalin was neutral or bad, then that predicted a better outcome with Nortriptyline instead. In my own n=1 study, this test proved accurate to me.
Anyway, hope something here is helpful.
John
poster:JohnL
thread:82743
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011025/msgs/82949.html