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Re: Thoughts on Elavil? » Penny

Posted by jay on October 2, 2003, at 17:10:16

In reply to Thoughts on Elavil?, posted by Penny on October 2, 2003, at 9:28:49

> Hi - I'm currently taking Remeron, Wellbutrin SR and weaning off of Lamictal, and have been on all of the SSRIs (minus Prozac), Effexor XR, and various other meds for treatment resistant depression - wondering about others' experiences with Elavil for hard to treat depression. I think I remember reading somewhere that it was effective for folks who didn't respond well to the SSRIs, but wanted to hear others' thoughts.
>
> Thanks!
> P


It's hard to say Penny, because so many react differently to Elavil (generic name amitriptyline). It was my very first antidepressant, and I too had 'up' and 'down' experience with it. If you suffer from the type of depression where your depression is worse in the morning (and with lethargy, anxiety, etc..), you may want to consider nortriptyline (brand name Aventyl, Pamelor)It is a metabolite of Elavil. I have found taking a low-medium dose of this worked 80 percent + better than Elavil for morning, early day depression/anxiety. A benzodiazepine is very helpful in these cases too, keeping the anxiety at bay.

I am certainly not one to discount the benefits of these older meds, which have stood their test of time against the 'newer' psych meds. There is no 'hard' evidence the newer meds are superior to these meds (as often advertised..for profit sake of course), and for many with various types of depression and anxiety, the older meds sometimes work better.

Let us know how you make out..and remember, it may take awhile of usage to notice positive effects.

Best wishes,
Jay


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