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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tmapj on April 19, 2006, at 11:50:58
I've been tried on several antidepressants asnd have come to a crossroads. Im to choose one of these. Could someone please help me with this?
Which one is best? I know they both act on the same neurotransmitters but, whch one is more powerful and which one has the safest side effects??From what I've heard amitriptyline is safer but has side effects such as sweating dry mouth and blurry vision. I'm very concerned this dry mouth and sweating may interfere with exercise. Also is there a way to overcome the blurry vision, possibly with eye drops?
Posted by blueberry on April 19, 2006, at 15:16:24
In reply to Cymbatal vs Amitriptyline, posted by tmapj on April 19, 2006, at 11:50:58
Amitriptyline will definitely have the harsher side effects. You've already heard about the dry mouth, constipation, blurry eyes, dizziness, and such. Its anticholinergic effects will likely cause you some cognitive impairment. On this med you will probably be walking around in a total fog and feel like a dumb zombie. The dry mouth is likely to be fierce.
With cymbalta you are basically looking at some nausea for a couple weeks, insomnia (you will probably need something to help sleep), and some start-up anxiety. For some people it works great, for others nothing. Some people like it, others get kind of blah and apathetic and tired.
But as you know, mileage varies. There is no way to predict exactly how a med will work or what side effects will bother you. But of the two meds you mentioned, cymbalta has a much cleaner side effect profile.
Posted by Phillipa on April 19, 2006, at 18:58:37
In reply to Re: Cymbatal vs Amitriptyline, posted by blueberry on April 19, 2006, at 15:16:24
Blueberry the only thing I wanted to add was that cymbalta is good for periferal neuropathy. I never knew I had back pain till I went off of it. Although this isn't periperal neuropathy it must help with pain. And cmybalta is definiely safer. The rest of your thread on target!!!!!!!Love Phillipa some day turn your babblemail light on or babble mail me mine is on.
Posted by linkadge on April 19, 2006, at 20:08:33
In reply to Re: Cymbatal vs Amitriptyline, posted by blueberry on April 19, 2006, at 15:16:24
Some side effects may actually be less on amitryptaline. For instance, you may experience insomnia on cymbalta, but not on amitryptaline.
Amitryptaline is a very effective antidepressant. I don't know if cymbalta has comparable efficacy to the TCA's.
I have taken a similar TCA drug, clompipramine,
and I can compare it to say, effexor. Clomipramine was a vastly superior antidepressant for me, yes it did make me dumb, but it was a good drug, wherase effexor didn't really work that well. Sometimes the dirtier drugs are better antidepressants.Anyhow, just saying that I wouldn't turn my back on the TCA's, just due to their side effect profile.
Linkadge
Posted by Caedmon on April 19, 2006, at 22:41:00
In reply to Re: Cymbatal vs Amitriptyline, posted by linkadge on April 19, 2006, at 20:08:33
For a while I tried combining the two. For what it's worth Cymbalta will probably have fewer side effects so that's why I might try it first. Nothing like *completely forgetting* how to pee to make you remember you're on a TCA.
Posted by linkadge on April 20, 2006, at 7:53:27
In reply to Re: Cymbatal vs Amitriptyline, posted by Caedmon on April 19, 2006, at 22:41:00
I agree. I got up in the middle of the night and realized I was peeing in the laundry hamper and not the toilate, when I was on TCA's. Honest truth, (I had to do the laundry of course.)
Linkadge
Posted by SLS on April 20, 2006, at 8:13:46
In reply to Cymbatal vs Amitriptyline, posted by tmapj on April 19, 2006, at 11:50:58
> From what I've heard amitriptyline is safer but has side effects such as sweating dry mouth and blurry vision. I'm very concerned this dry mouth and sweating may interfere with exercise. Also is there a way to overcome the blurry vision, possibly with eye drops?
Nortriptyline is the daughter drug of amitriptyline. It is much milder with regard to side effects and retains most of the efficacy of amitriptyline. I would recommend considering nortriptyline.
- Scott
Posted by bigcat on April 20, 2006, at 18:47:45
In reply to Re: Cymbatal vs Amitriptyline, posted by SLS on April 20, 2006, at 8:13:46
looking back over some of my journals, it appears my ability to draw was vastly enhanced on some of the TCA's, but I also remember being dumbed down on many of them as well. when I respond to an AD, the most overwhelming change is how much more intelligent, focused, and articulate I become. My depression makes me dumb, unable to hold even a simple converesation, incapable of spontaneity. In remission, i become thoughtful and can communiucate very well. should I keep trying stimulants? any other good "smart" drugs out there?
Many Thanks,
-matt-
Posted by tmapj on April 22, 2006, at 14:40:22
In reply to Any non-dumbing TCA's?, posted by bigcat on April 20, 2006, at 18:47:45
Thank you all for your replies.
I had planned on taking the amitriptyline until I heard of this "dumbing effect." Cymbatal is new and little known = potentially dangerous. My main goal in treating my depression is to improve my cognitive functioning. I've been forced to quit college because of cognitive impairment.
Ok so you whiz in the clothes hamper a couple of times, but how does it work with book-smarts and learning? I want to go back to college so thats what I'm most concerned with.
Posted by ed_uk on April 22, 2006, at 16:30:31
In reply to Any non-dumbing TCA's?, posted by bigcat on April 20, 2006, at 18:47:45
Hi Matt
>Any non-dumbing TCA's?
Desipramine. Have you ever taken it?
Ed
Posted by linkadge on April 22, 2006, at 22:18:53
In reply to Re: Any non-dumbing TCA's?, posted by tmapj on April 22, 2006, at 14:40:22
I'm in math, and for the most part TCA's help with the buisy mechanical work, no problem with remembering steps and formulas etc. Different aspects of memory are facilitated by different neurotransmitters. Norepinphrine and serotonin will facilitate certain aspects of memory.
The real problems happening in things like history or essay writing. My memory for language and stuff reall seemed to faulter.
So I don't think amitryptaline will make you a moron, it just might make certain tasks harder.
The TCA's were always far more effective than newer agents, I also slept better on them which was a plus in school, effexor was terrable for sleep.
Linkadge
Posted by jedi on April 24, 2006, at 2:50:48
In reply to Cymbatal vs Amitriptyline, posted by tmapj on April 19, 2006, at 11:50:58
Hi,
I agree with Scott on this one. Nortriptyline is the major metabolite of amitriptyline, with a lot fewer side effects. Some will say that nortrip will make you dumber, but I haven't noticed this effect at 150mg daily. I have not taken Cymbatal so I am not very informed on it. I notice very few anticholinergic effects from nortriptyline. As far as TCAs go, it seems to be a very clean med.
Good luck,
Jedi> I've been tried on several antidepressants asnd have come to a crossroads. Im to choose one of these. Could someone please help me with this?
> Which one is best? I know they both act on the same neurotransmitters but, whch one is more powerful and which one has the safest side effects??
>
> From what I've heard amitriptyline is safer but has side effects such as sweating dry mouth and blurry vision. I'm very concerned this dry mouth and sweating may interfere with exercise. Also is there a way to overcome the blurry vision, possibly with eye drops?
This is the end of the thread.
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