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Re: nortriptyline - under therapeutic level

Posted by hopko on March 24, 2003, at 8:26:53

In reply to Re: nortriptyline - under therapeutic level » hopko, posted by johnj on March 23, 2003, at 21:33:12

You know, that is what everyone said...that it would give me intolerable side effects, which is why I started with Nortriptyline. But, I am doing great. I take 1.5mg of klonopin 1/2 hour before I want to go to sleep and 75mgs of Elavil at bedtime. I usually wake up once during the night and am now routinely getting 7-8 hours of good sleep, which is a miracle to me. Ever since my early 20’s, (or even earlier) I have been waking up at least 6 times a night but my true insomnia only started about 3 years ago. With my last bad episode, I was sleeping maybe 1-2 hours a night for over 5 months.

I have OCD and general anxiety disorder. I resisted drug treatment for both until I developed insomnia. Then, I went for help. My depression (while always around) recently worsened to the point that I was almost suicidal for a while. I had just gone off Remeron (due to side effects and weight gain) and within 3 days of stopping the drug, I stopped sleeping. I just could not go through that again. Previously, even taking Remeron + Klonopin, I still couldn't sleep without drinking (alcohol) and that situation was getting out of control. I am not drinking at all now and had no trouble stopping.

Talk about irritability! Remeron made me so snappy and almost hostile that I am lucky to still be married!

I know that the Elavil + Klonopin helps reduce my anxiety level so much that my OCD symptoms are much less. (I obsess more rather than show compulsive behavior, although I do have some of that as well.) Anxiety has always had been a huge trigger for my OCD stuff. While my OCD is not gone, it is much better. I feel calmer inside, more accepting of other people and not at all irritable (but you might want to check with my husband about that one!)

I am 46 now and this is the first time since childhood that my anxiety and OCD seem to be under control....and I AM SLEEPING! I do not feel groggy at all in the morning. I know many people do not like Elavil but I WANT to stay on it. I have never felt better. Anyway, I really hope things work out for you.


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