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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 4 to 28 of 28. Go back in thread:
Posted by jay on July 15, 2003, at 3:36:08
In reply to I'm going to try Nortriptyline, posted by Dinah on July 14, 2003, at 17:20:13
Dinah...a few words of advise from a former Nortiptyline user. First, if the Prozac I am on was producing *zilch* help, I would likely be on Nortiptyline. I actually feel a similarity for the two drugs, in particular for an 'atypical' type of depression.
But, like the 'energizing' meds, you have to take a LOT of caution. In fact I don't think it is possible to get on these drugs without the help of a good dose of a benzo. So if your doctor is major benzophobic, then it may be time to find another. To get really good satisfaction from the med, 2-3 months seems to be needed on it to start, and I can almost guarantee you will need a benzo. Not just PRN, but 3-4x a day, every day.
So, I hope that doesn't scare you, but I believe you will reap MAJOR rewards if used with a benzo. If you are on anything else, like an antipsychotic or something, you might have to adjust once in awhile. In summer you may find sweating a bit worse, but with the benzo as 'protection', I think you will find the benefits kick in after a week or two. Oh..and go 'slow' with increases...REALLY slow.
Best wishes....
JayP.S. When you get side effects..get to your doctor asap...rather than just stop the med. I found that the best strategy. Hang in there...the light will come..:)
Best,
Jay
Posted by Dinah on July 15, 2003, at 8:09:03
In reply to Re: I'm going to try Nortriptyline, posted by jay on July 15, 2003, at 3:36:08
Nawwww, I'm a chicken. I lost a month of my life to Effexor. And Wellbutrin had me almost commit suicide. I can't handle agitation, even with a benzo (and he's not benzophobic) and with my Depakote. First sign of agitation, and I'm outta here.
My pdoc tried to get me to hang through the agitated period with Effexor and I tried, and regretted trying.
But my pdoc says one good thing about the "dirty" older antidepressants is that you can't always tell how any particular person is going to react. He says it might have a lower impact on NE than effexor or wellbutrin, so I'm willing to give it a try. But I don't want to jump from an unproductive life to an unbearable one. :((
Thanks, Jay.
Posted by bookgurl99 on July 15, 2003, at 12:46:36
In reply to I'm going to try Nortriptyline, posted by Dinah on July 14, 2003, at 17:20:13
I talked to my dr. today about taking effexor for migraine prevention. He mentioned that effexor and nortrip share a similar molecule, and may have similar effects.
So, maybe you could try Effexor?
Posted by Dinah on July 15, 2003, at 17:13:34
In reply to effexor-nortrip, posted by bookgurl99 on July 15, 2003, at 12:46:36
EEEEEEK, now I'm afraid to try it. Effexor threw me into a very nasty agitated hypomania. I think I put in 20 work hours in a month. I can't stand that again. Maybe I'll just toss the nortryptaline. Shudder. Shudder.
Posted by zeugma on July 15, 2003, at 20:13:42
In reply to I'm going to try Nortriptyline, posted by Dinah on July 14, 2003, at 17:20:13
THe last day I missed work due to IBS was the day I started nortriptyline.
Posted by Dinah on July 15, 2003, at 21:00:15
In reply to nortriptyline for IBS » Dinah, posted by zeugma on July 15, 2003, at 20:13:42
And I was about to chicken out from trying it.
I'll definitely give it a try.
Posted by Barbara Cat on July 16, 2003, at 10:51:34
In reply to I'm going to try Nortriptyline, posted by Dinah on July 14, 2003, at 17:20:13
I went on nortriptyline in February. My predominantly bipolar depression was stable with lithium and lamictal. But then my Mother died in December after being hit by a car while out walking and the stress and grief nearly put me over the edge. I've been on just about every SSRI made and they exacerbate hypomania. Nortrip lifted me out of a very dangerous place. It was not at all speedy feeling the way Effexor/Paxil were for me, however, it did give an energetic boost. It quieted the incessant worry and apprehension of danger and continual loss. Truly a miracle response. The side effects were annoying cotton mouth and tremors that went away after a month. It also supposedly causes weight gain, but lithium does that just fine on it's own so I can't tell.
I'm now weaning off it. I'm in a much better frame of mind and want to get off as many drugs as I can to lower potential liver/kidney problems. I don't know about it's efficacy for migraines, but for major suicidal depression, it was my lifesaver. - Barbara
Posted by Dinah on July 16, 2003, at 11:57:17
In reply to Re: I'm going to try Nortriptyline » Dinah, posted by Barbara Cat on July 16, 2003, at 10:51:34
Oh, thank you. That was my main concern. Antidepressants can sometimes trigger very nasty mixed states in me, and I was afraid it was inevitable with this one. I'm glad to hear that while it may happen, it won't definitely happen.
I'll give it a shot and just be very very careful to get off quickly if I start getting agitated.
Posted by Dinah on July 18, 2003, at 9:55:14
In reply to I'm going to try Nortriptyline, posted by Dinah on July 14, 2003, at 17:20:13
I keep remembering that I said the same thing about Effexor. That I wouldn't let the agitation last long enough to hurt me. That I'd get off it fast enough. But it did hurt me, and I'm not sure there is fast enough.
I'm just too scared that will happen again.
Posted by Barbara Cat on July 18, 2003, at 13:42:02
In reply to Re: I'm just too scared to try it, posted by Dinah on July 18, 2003, at 9:55:14
Dinah, if you really think nortrip will help your overall symptoms then it might be worth a try. I'm very sensitive to anything provoking anxiety since I live in dread of mixed states. Right before I went on it last February I was an emotional wreck. My Mother's death in December tipped my delicate balance. My anxiety level was so high I couldn't ride as a passenger in a car without moaning and yelling 'SLOW DOWN' at whoever was driving (especially my husband). I was crying most of the time and in bed unable to function the rest. Coffee sent me through the roof. I was starting to get daily panic attacks again. Nortriptyline lifted me out of that state and helped put my unbearable fears in perspective. It was not at all speedy but did help to motivate me in a calm and level-headed way. If it weren't for constipation problems and dry mouth I'd still be on it today. It broke a bad cycle for me and I'm glad I took it. - Barbara
> I keep remembering that I said the same thing about Effexor. That I wouldn't let the agitation last long enough to hurt me. That I'd get off it fast enough. But it did hurt me, and I'm not sure there is fast enough.
>
> I'm just too scared that will happen again.
Posted by noa on July 18, 2003, at 19:03:22
In reply to Re: I'm just too scared to try it, posted by Dinah on July 18, 2003, at 9:55:14
Do you remember "Bob, not Dr." from the earlier days of babble? He was on nortrip and swore by it. I wonder if you can search and find his posts about it.
Posted by BekkaH on July 18, 2003, at 19:56:25
In reply to Re: I'm just too scared to try it » Dinah, posted by noa on July 18, 2003, at 19:03:22
Dinah,
I believe that nortriptyline is available in capsules as low as 10 mg. Perhaps you could ask your doctor for the tiniest strength and increase the dose VERY, VERY slowly. I am terribly sensitive to medications and their side effects, and I've learned that it's best to start at baby and/or geriatric doses and titrate up slowly, even imperceptibly, if necessary.
Bekka
Posted by BekkaH on July 18, 2003, at 20:08:55
In reply to Re: I'm just too scared to try it - Dinah, posted by BekkaH on July 18, 2003, at 19:56:25
When I start a new medicine, even if I start at a baby dose, I feel safer starting it on a weekend or a vacation day, just in case I have side effects that make me uncomfortable in public or scared to drive. I've heard that nortriptyline is a pretty good drug. Many doctors believe that the tricyclics are still the most effective antidepressants. As you probably know, nortriptyline is often used in the elderly because it has fewer side effects and fewer adverse interactions.
Posted by Dinah on July 19, 2003, at 17:16:58
In reply to Oh, and one other thing. . . , posted by BekkaH on July 18, 2003, at 20:08:55
I think it is 10 mg I have, and I was planning on trying it last night, but forgot. I guess that was convenient forgetting. I'll definitely take one tonight so if I'm incapacitated it'll be on the weekend.
I just tend to be med-phobic.
Posted by noa on July 19, 2003, at 18:09:54
In reply to Re: Thanks everyone, posted by Dinah on July 19, 2003, at 17:16:58
Posted by MB on July 19, 2003, at 18:32:12
In reply to Re: I'm going to try Nortriptyline » Dinah, posted by Barbara Cat on July 16, 2003, at 10:51:34
I found nothing activating about Nortryptaline. I could barely get out of bed on the stuff. I find it a little surprising, all this talk about activation, and energization. The stuff just layed me out...not as badly as amiltryptaline, but similar.
MB
Posted by Barbara Cat on July 19, 2003, at 21:58:54
In reply to I found Nortryptaline a knockout, not speedy, posted by MB on July 19, 2003, at 18:32:12
So strange, we all have such different chemistries. I wish there was more info out there on paradoxical drug reactions. I get hyper on just about anything - benzos, opiods, alcohol. Others have opposite reactions. About the only time I really get knocked out and laid back is when I try to wake up in the morning.
> I found nothing activating about Nortryptaline. I could barely get out of bed on the stuff. I find it a little surprising, all this talk about activation, and energization. The stuff just layed me out...not as badly as amiltryptaline, but similar.
>
> MB
Posted by zeugma on July 19, 2003, at 22:29:06
In reply to Paradoxical drug reactions » MB, posted by Barbara Cat on July 19, 2003, at 21:58:54
I find nortriptyline to be a 'downer.' I get sleepy at the appropriate time after I take it. I have a tendency to agitated depression, and a complete inability to sleep when depressed (or not), so its sedating effects are most welcome. On the other hand, there is the 'activation' that others have talked about, which is the motivation to get out and make changes. The blend of these qualities is to me the special characteristic if the TCA's, and not at all unpleasant.
In my experience, nortriptyline is tipped to the 'sedation' end of the scale, while Strattera is palpably 'activating.' For me they make a good combination.
Posted by MB on July 19, 2003, at 23:48:28
In reply to Paradoxical drug reactions » MB, posted by Barbara Cat on July 19, 2003, at 21:58:54
> So strange, we all have such different chemistries. I wish there was more info out there on paradoxical drug reactions. I get hyper on just about anything - benzos, opiods, alcohol. Others have opposite reactions. About the only time I really get knocked out and laid back is when I try to wake up in the morning.
Librium exacerbates my Restless Leg Syndrome, and Ativan makes me dissociate, but I have no problem with Klonopin. Demerol makes my mom climb the walls, while I find it absolutely dreamy. I'm so sensitive to antihistamine sedation, that Zyrtec puts me out for days, yet my dad can take Benadryl without getting tired. There are such disparate reactions to medications, even among first degree relatives. It *is* so strange.MB
Posted by Dinah on July 20, 2003, at 9:33:26
In reply to Re: Thanks everyone, posted by Dinah on July 19, 2003, at 17:16:58
Absolutely no trouble otherwise. Coincidence, right?
I'm trying to think of what I ate yesterday.
It's nowhere near my period. And it's really more pink, anyway.
Posted by Dinah on July 20, 2003, at 10:04:37
In reply to Re: I tried it. Pink urine., posted by Dinah on July 20, 2003, at 9:33:26
Probably the strawberry orange drink from yesterday.
Posted by Jonathan on July 20, 2003, at 22:44:48
In reply to Re: Pharmacist says coincidence, posted by Dinah on July 20, 2003, at 10:04:37
Posted by Barbara Cat on July 20, 2003, at 22:46:44
In reply to Re: Paradoxical drug reactions » Barbara Cat, posted by MB on July 19, 2003, at 23:48:28
Ah, Demerol... Yes, it is very dreamy, very lovely. One of my favorite feelings of all times. But only injections, such as in the hospital. I don't do nearly as well with the pills which give me a buzz like all other opiods. Fine if that's what you're looking for, but I'd like to find something that will chill and sedate me when I need it. Tried Klonopin, ativan, valium, librium, valerian, kava kava. Klonopin is probably the best of them but tolerance sets in pretty quickly. Taking 3 gabapentin will work, but only if I haven't had any for awhile. Maybe my GABA receptors are clogged.
> >
>
> Librium exacerbates my Restless Leg Syndrome, and Ativan makes me dissociate, but I have no problem with Klonopin. Demerol makes my mom climb the walls, while I find it absolutely dreamy. I'm so sensitive to antihistamine sedation, that Zyrtec puts me out for days, yet my dad can take Benadryl without getting tired. There are such disparate reactions to medications, even among first degree relatives. It *is* so strange.
>
> MB
Posted by Dinah on July 21, 2003, at 0:05:41
In reply to Are you taking meds for dermatitis? » Dinah, posted by Jonathan on July 20, 2003, at 22:44:48
Posted by Zenclearer on July 21, 2003, at 7:11:24
In reply to Oh, and one other thing. . . , posted by BekkaH on July 18, 2003, at 20:08:55
I was talking with a colleague the other day, and he mentioned how much he liked the Pfizer cafeteria. I thought of you.... *L*
This is the end of the thread.
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