Posted by Paulie on May 7, 2003, at 6:02:04
In reply to Re: How did TCA's make you feel?, posted by Tiina on May 6, 2003, at 3:21:55
Hi Tiina,
The TCA's didn't make me hyper. They just made me feel more alive and less depressed. If you have trouble sleeping the more sedating TCA's would be a good choice. All or most of the dose is usually given at bedtime. With me the sedative lasted about 7 or 8 hrs. I started Elavil at 25mg 3x during the day plus 100mg at bedtime. 25mg doesn't have much sedative effect but 50mg or more made me very drowsy within 11/2 - 2 hrs. The sedative effect is independent of the antidepressant effect. Elavil and Sinequan (a modified tricyclic) are the most sedating. Tofranil and Anafranil are moderately sedating but seem to have less side effects. Norpramin has very little or no sedative effect and probably the least amount of side effects.
If I were to start using a tricyclic again it would probably be Anafranil-it appears to be a stronger antidepressant than the others. I saw a psychopharmacologist in NYC over 20 yrs. ago and he recommended for me a combination of Anafranil and Ludiomil (a tetracyclic). He said that Anafranil targets serotonin very effectively and Ludiomil targets norepinephrine very effectively.
As far as I know the TCA's can be used in combination with almost all APs.Hope this answers some of your questions-
Paul
poster:Paulie
thread:223590
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030505/msgs/224806.html