Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 15942

Shown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Benzo Suggestions Needed

Posted by JohnL on November 29, 1999, at 16:59:10

Hi everyone. I have an appointment soon with my psychiatrist. I'm just not doing all that well. Been feeling pretty dark actually. Anyway, of all the things I've tried with my Prozac, the one thing that has always remained constant was the Remeron for sleep. I am beginning to wonder if its effects in blocking certain receptors is somehow actually getting in the way of other meds working fully. Maybe that's far-fetched, maybe not. All I know for sure is it hasn't helped my depression in a long time. I feel like it gives great sleep at best, and hinders antidepressant therapy at worst. I want to take Remeron out of the mix.

Not sure what else we'll do. Maybe add Effexor. Maybe add a TCA. But sleep is the issue of this post. I want a med that will allow good sleep without blocking any serotonin receptors. I am aware of benzo addiction risks, but I am going to try to talk my pdoc into letting me use one for sleep.

Can anyone help with feedback on their favorite or worst benzos? Research I've done seems to favor Xanax. But I'm looking for feedback to disucss with my pdoc. Thanks everyone. JohnL

 

Re: Benzo Suggestions Needed

Posted by Phil on November 29, 1999, at 18:54:02

In reply to Benzo Suggestions Needed, posted by JohnL on November 29, 1999, at 16:59:10

Hi John,

Klonopin has worked well for me. You may also want to consider a small dose of amitriptyline.
It's very sedating and 10-20 mg should do the trick. Can be darned good augmentation route, too.
Happy hunting,
Phil

 

Re: Benzo Suggestions Needed

Posted by saint james on November 29, 1999, at 21:11:47

In reply to Benzo Suggestions Needed, posted by JohnL on November 29, 1999, at 16:59:10

> Hi everyone. I have an appointment soon with my psychiatrist. I'm just not doing all that well. Been feeling pretty dark actually. Anyway, of all the things I've tried with my Prozac, the one thing that has always remained constant was the Remeron for sleep. I am beginning to wonder if its effects in blocking certain receptors is somehow actually getting in the way of other meds working fully. Maybe that's far-fetched, maybe not. All I know for sure is it hasn't helped my depression in a long time. I feel like it gives great sleep at best, and hinders antidepressant therapy at worst. I want to take Remeron out of the mix.
>
> Not sure what else we'll do. Maybe add Effexor. Maybe add a TCA. But sleep is the issue of this post. I want a med that will allow good sleep without blocking any serotonin receptors. I am aware of benzo addiction risks, but I am going to try to talk my pdoc into letting me use one for sleep.
>
> Can anyone help with feedback on their favorite or worst benzos? Research I've done seems to favor Xanax. But I'm looking for feedback to disucss with my pdoc. Thanks everyone. JohnL

James here....

Actually Remeron is probably helping the mix, I would stick with it and find another AD that works on your mood. Xanax is too short acting for sleep, unless your problem is getting to sleep and not staying asleep.

j

 

Re: Benzo Suggestions Needed

Posted by Adam on November 30, 1999, at 0:03:13

In reply to Benzo Suggestions Needed, posted by JohnL on November 29, 1999, at 16:59:10

Selegiline has been a wonderful antidepressant for me, but has left me in this almost
paradoxical state of better mood + anxiety and insomnia. I sleep OK, but not great.
I'm not allowed to add any meds because I am in a study, but a while ago I took some
lorazepam that I had left over from my little sojourn in the hospital. It was heavenly.
It took effect very quickly, and I drifted off into sleep easily and with what I
suspect was a big smile on my face. I've seriously considered making it or another
benzo a part of my treatment in the future. I'm concerned about congnative deficits
that benzos are purported to cause, esp. since selegiline seems to have a negative
impact on my short-term-memory. But getting a good night's sleep sure didn't do me any
harm, and I woke up refreshed and not feeling like I was under the influence of anything.
Lorazepam has a pretty short half life. I guess that could be a blessing or a curse,
depending on what you want.

I thought it was very, very nice. Too nice, almost.


> Hi everyone. I have an appointment soon with my psychiatrist. I'm just not doing all that well. Been feeling pretty dark actually. Anyway, of all the things I've tried with my Prozac, the one thing that has always remained constant was the Remeron for sleep. I am beginning to wonder if its effects in blocking certain receptors is somehow actually getting in the way of other meds working fully. Maybe that's far-fetched, maybe not. All I know for sure is it hasn't helped my depression in a long time. I feel like it gives great sleep at best, and hinders antidepressant therapy at worst. I want to take Remeron out of the mix.
>
> Not sure what else we'll do. Maybe add Effexor. Maybe add a TCA. But sleep is the issue of this post. I want a med that will allow good sleep without blocking any serotonin receptors. I am aware of benzo addiction risks, but I am going to try to talk my pdoc into letting me use one for sleep.
>
> Can anyone help with feedback on their favorite or worst benzos? Research I've done seems to favor Xanax. But I'm looking for feedback to disucss with my pdoc. Thanks everyone. JohnL

 

Re: Benzo Suggestions Needed

Posted by mb on November 30, 1999, at 10:21:40

In reply to Benzo Suggestions Needed, posted by JohnL on November 29, 1999, at 16:59:10

hi, i understand your concern about remaining on remeron. klonopin is a benzo that's been used for both anxiety and depression. klonopin is relatively long-acting, so it's benefit for people with anxiety disorder is maitaining relatively constant peak plasma levels. for your sleep needs, however, a shorter-acting benzo, such as xanax might be beneficial. there are some drawbacks to the benzo's which you might want to keep in mind, such as dependence and the cognitive effects associated with any central nervous system depressant - including impairment of short-term memory, etc. also, you'd want to be careful not to mix alcohol with xanax. i understand there are some herbal remedies which help with insomnia, such as valerian root.

good luck. mb

 

Re: Benzo Suggestions Needed

Posted by Rick on November 30, 1999, at 14:14:24

In reply to Benzo Suggestions Needed, posted by JohnL on November 29, 1999, at 16:59:10

If you want a benzo as a sleeping pill, and don't mind addiction, nothing beats Xanax. Except for one night when I was indescribably wired, it would just wipe out all of the competing worries and agitating thoughts like magic and put me right to sleep. But I didn't take it very long, (because it also put me to sleep during the DAY, and didn't help my Social Phobia as intended), so I can't say whether those effects stick around.

Also, much literature states that Xanax also has some anti-depressant qualities. (I don't understand why possible depression is sometimes mentioned for Klonopin by monographs and users, because I know that it has some serotonergic properties).

I now use Klonopin (and Pindolol) with great success for non-depressive Social. Even though I take the last dose (a small one) at about 4 p.m., I rarely have trouble sleeping as I did pre-Klonopin, although it doesn't knock me out like .5 gr of Xanax would. (Incidentally, after Xanax, nothing puts me to sleep like a BuSpar buzz -- although that's simply a side-effect that hits me especiallly hard -- not an intended use!)

Rick
---
> Hi everyone. I have an appointment soon with my psychiatrist. I'm just not doing all that well. Been feeling pretty dark actually. Anyway, of all the things I've tried with my Prozac, the one thing that has always remained constant was the Remeron for sleep. I am beginning to wonder if its effects in blocking certain receptors is somehow actually getting in the way of other meds working fully. Maybe that's far-fetched, maybe not. All I know for sure is it hasn't helped my depression in a long time. I feel like it gives great sleep at best, and hinders antidepressant therapy at worst. I want to take Remeron out of the mix.
>
> Not sure what else we'll do. Maybe add Effexor. Maybe add a TCA. But sleep is the issue of this post. I want a med that will allow good sleep without blocking any serotonin receptors. I am aware of benzo addiction risks, but I am going to try to talk my pdoc into letting me use one for sleep.
>
> Can anyone help with feedback on their favorite or worst benzos? Research I've done seems to favor Xanax. But I'm looking for feedback to disucss with my pdoc. Thanks everyone. JohnL

 

Re: Benzo Suggestions Needed

Posted by AMY II on November 30, 1999, at 14:35:30

In reply to Re: Benzo Suggestions Needed, posted by Rick on November 30, 1999, at 14:14:24

> If you want a benzo as a sleeping pill, and don't mind addiction, nothing beats Xanax. Except for one night when I was indescribably wired, it would just wipe out all of the competing worries and agitating thoughts like magic and put me right to sleep. But I didn't take it very long, (because it also put me to sleep during the DAY, and didn't help my Social Phobia as intended), so I can't say whether those effects stick around.
>
> Also, much literature states that Xanax also has some anti-depressant qualities. (I don't understand why possible depression is sometimes mentioned for Klonopin by monographs and users, because I know that it has some serotonergic properties).
>
> I now use Klonopin (and Pindolol) with great success for non-depressive Social. Even though I take the last dose (a small one) at about 4 p.m., I rarely have trouble sleeping as I did pre-Klonopin, although it doesn't knock me out like .5 gr of Xanax would. (Incidentally, after Xanax, nothing puts me to sleep like a BuSpar buzz -- although that's simply a side-effect that hits me especiallly hard -- not an intended use!)
>
> Rick
> ---
> > Hi everyone. I have an appointment soon with my psychiatrist. I'm just not doing all that well. Been feeling pretty dark actually. Anyway, of all the things I've tried with my Prozac, the one thing that has always remained constant was the Remeron for sleep. I am beginning to wonder if its effects in blocking certain receptors is somehow actually getting in the way of other meds working fully. Maybe that's far-fetched, maybe not. All I know for sure is it hasn't helped my depression in a long time. I feel like it gives great sleep at best, and hinders antidepressant therapy at worst. I want to take Remeron out of the mix.
> >
> > Not sure what else we'll do. Maybe add Effexor. Maybe add a TCA. But sleep is the issue of this post. I want a med that will allow good sleep without blocking any serotonin receptors. I am aware of benzo addiction risks, but I am going to try to talk my pdoc into letting me use one for sleep.
> >
> > Can anyone help with feedback on their favorite or worst benzos? Research I've done seems to favor Xanax. But I'm looking for feedback to disucss with my pdoc. Thanks everyone. JohnL
AMY II

You know I took ativan which I swear by it and I drank on that and drank while taking ativan 1mg twice a day and 100mg of zoloft everyday. Is there some kind of danger or something with mixing alcohol and benzos? I had no effects and drank heavily.. Doon't want to kill myself though. My pharmacist said the reason why they put do not drink alcohol labels on antidepressants and benzos is because they can't condone mixing alcohol and prescription drugs but she knew of no effects of drinking while taking it. They just can't recommend it. Feed back?

 

Re: Benzo Suggestions Needed

Posted by Rick on December 1, 1999, at 12:51:44

In reply to Re: Benzo Suggestions Needed, posted by AMY II on November 30, 1999, at 14:35:30

> > If you want a benzo as a sleeping pill, and don't mind addiction, nothing beats Xanax. Except for one night when I was indescribably wired, it would just wipe out all of the competing worries and agitating thoughts like magic and put me right to sleep. But I didn't take it very long, (because it also put me to sleep during the DAY, and didn't help my Social Phobia as intended), so I can't say whether those effects stick around.
> >
> > Also, much literature states that Xanax also has some anti-depressant qualities. (I don't understand why possible depression is sometimes mentioned for Klonopin by monographs and users, because I know that it has some serotonergic properties).
> >
> > I now use Klonopin (and Pindolol) with great success for non-depressive Social. Even though I take the last dose (a small one) at about 4 p.m., I rarely have trouble sleeping as I did pre-Klonopin, although it doesn't knock me out like .5 gr of Xanax would. (Incidentally, after Xanax, nothing puts me to sleep like a BuSpar buzz -- although that's simply a side-effect that hits me especiallly hard -- not an intended use!)
> >
> > Rick
> > ---
> > > Hi everyone. I have an appointment soon with my psychiatrist. I'm just not doing all that well. Been feeling pretty dark actually. Anyway, of all the things I've tried with my Prozac, the one thing that has always remained constant was the Remeron for sleep. I am beginning to wonder if its effects in blocking certain receptors is somehow actually getting in the way of other meds working fully. Maybe that's far-fetched, maybe not. All I know for sure is it hasn't helped my depression in a long time. I feel like it gives great sleep at best, and hinders antidepressant therapy at worst. I want to take Remeron out of the mix.
> > >
> > > Not sure what else we'll do. Maybe add Effexor. Maybe add a TCA. But sleep is the issue of this post. I want a med that will allow good sleep without blocking any serotonin receptors. I am aware of benzo addiction risks, but I am going to try to talk my pdoc into letting me use one for sleep.
> > >
> > > Can anyone help with feedback on their favorite or worst benzos? Research I've done seems to favor Xanax. But I'm looking for feedback to disucss with my pdoc. Thanks everyone. JohnL
> AMY II
>
> You know I took ativan which I swear by it and I drank on that and drank while taking ativan 1mg twice a day and 100mg of zoloft everyday. Is there some kind of danger or something with mixing alcohol and benzos? I had no effects and drank heavily.. Doon't want to kill myself though. My pharmacist said the reason why they put do not drink alcohol labels on antidepressants and benzos is because they can't condone mixing alcohol and prescription drugs but she knew of no effects of drinking while taking it. They just can't recommend it. Feed back?

-----

I've been a good boy so far -- nothing more than a few tiny sips of beer in the months I've been on Klonopin. Some sites, docs, and users exclaim "don't drink at all on a benzo, it can put you in a coma or kill you!" But what I've read most often is that drinking while on a benzo multiplies the inebriating effects of alcohold by three. If this is true, it means you can drink, but that you should drink a lot less. Looking over my previous contribution to this thread, if I really *had* been taking .5 "grams" of Xanax for my "Social" and drinking at the same time, I would either be dead or submitting strange posts where I say "Social" when I mean "Social Phobia" and "grams when I mean "milligrams". Or something like that.

Rick

 

Benzo + Acohol = Coma

Posted by Sean on December 1, 1999, at 12:57:15

In reply to Re: Benzo Suggestions Needed, posted by AMY II on November 30, 1999, at 14:35:30

> > If you want a benzo as a sleeping pill, and don't mind addiction, nothing beats Xanax. Except for one night when I was indescribably wired, it would just wipe out all of the competing worries and agitating thoughts like magic and put me right to sleep. But I didn't take it very long, (because it also put me to sleep during the DAY, and didn't help my Social Phobia as intended), so I can't say whether those effects stick around.
> >
> > Also, much literature states that Xanax also has some anti-depressant qualities. (I don't understand why possible depression is sometimes mentioned for Klonopin by monographs and users, because I know that it has some serotonergic properties).
> >
> > I now use Klonopin (and Pindolol) with great success for non-depressive Social. Even though I take the last dose (a small one) at about 4 p.m., I rarely have trouble sleeping as I did pre-Klonopin, although it doesn't knock me out like .5 gr of Xanax would. (Incidentally, after Xanax, nothing puts me to sleep like a BuSpar buzz -- although that's simply a side-effect that hits me especiallly hard -- not an intended use!)
> >
> > Rick
> > ---
> > > Hi everyone. I have an appointment soon with my psychiatrist. I'm just not doing all that well. Been feeling pretty dark actually. Anyway, of all the things I've tried with my Prozac, the one thing that has always remained constant was the Remeron for sleep. I am beginning to wonder if its effects in blocking certain receptors is somehow actually getting in the way of other meds working fully. Maybe that's far-fetched, maybe not. All I know for sure is it hasn't helped my depression in a long time. I feel like it gives great sleep at best, and hinders antidepressant therapy at worst. I want to take Remeron out of the mix.
> > >
> > > Not sure what else we'll do. Maybe add Effexor. Maybe add a TCA. But sleep is the issue of this post. I want a med that will allow good sleep without blocking any serotonin receptors. I am aware of benzo addiction risks, but I am going to try to talk my pdoc into letting me use one for sleep.
> > >
> > > Can anyone help with feedback on their favorite or worst benzos? Research I've done seems to favor Xanax. But I'm looking for feedback to disucss with my pdoc. Thanks everyone. JohnL
> AMY II
>
> You know I took ativan which I swear by it and I drank on that and drank while taking ativan 1mg twice a day and 100mg of zoloft everyday. Is there some kind of danger or something with mixing alcohol and benzos? I had no effects and drank heavily.. Doon't want to kill myself though. My pharmacist said the reason why they put do not drink alcohol labels on antidepressants and benzos is because they can't condone mixing alcohol and prescription drugs but she knew of no effects of drinking while taking it. They just can't recommend it. Feed back?

AMYII,

Benzos and alcohol are a bad, bad, mix. There are
many cases of people dying from valium and alcohol.
In fact, benzos + alcohol is such a nasty mix that
I've seen this combo suggested on euthanasia web
sites.

Alcohol + an AD that cause some sedation is not as
bad as benzos, but the CNS depression is additive,
so you'll be a lightweight drinker...

 

Re: Benzo + Acohol = Coma

Posted by Adam on December 1, 1999, at 16:05:12

In reply to Benzo + Acohol = Coma, posted by Sean on December 1, 1999, at 12:57:15

Shortly after I got out of the hospital, I was taking lorazepam on
occasion. My memory of that entire period is pretty sketchy, but I
do remember that one night, after only one beer and having taken only
one 1mg of lor., I felt very uncoordinated. Not so much punchy as
just super clumsy, and kind of sleepy. I hadn't heard this combo.
could give you a coma. I assume this would happen only after taking
copious amounts of EtOH and a benzo?

As an iteresting aside, benzos. are sometimes administered to
alcoholics going through detoxification, I think mostly to help
prevent convulsions.

As for combos of EtOH with any psych. med., CNS depression might
only be a part of the problem. For me, tolerance is greatly lowered
by taking selegiline, even though it is a very activating drug for
me. My doctor suggested this may have something to do with the
drug's effects on liver metabolism.

I've stopped consuming alcohol as a result, except for an occasional
glass of wine or beer with dinner. No more drinks at the pub. IMHO,
alcohol is the last thing you need if you're being treated for anxiety
or depression, and I've learned this through some hard experience.


> AMYII,
>
> Benzos and alcohol are a bad, bad, mix. There are
> many cases of people dying from valium and alcohol.
> In fact, benzos + alcohol is such a nasty mix that
> I've seen this combo suggested on euthanasia web
> sites.
>
> Alcohol + an AD that cause some sedation is not as
> bad as benzos, but the CNS depression is additive,
> so you'll be a lightweight drinker...

 

Re: Benzo + Alcohol = Coma?

Posted by Paul on December 2, 1999, at 5:35:09

In reply to Re: Benzo + Acohol = Coma, posted by Adam on December 1, 1999, at 16:05:12

This equation is too simplistic. Let's remember that one can drink a lethal dose of ethyl alcohol alone; no one would conclude that "Alcohol = Death."

You can certainly get in trouble mixing the two, but warnings such as these are about as simplistic as saying "Drugs kill!"

 

Inquiring minds want to know!

Posted by Bob on December 2, 1999, at 20:55:52

In reply to Re: Benzo Suggestions Needed, posted by Adam on November 30, 1999, at 0:03:13

What was the final (for now) verdict, JohnL?

 

Re: Inquiring minds want to know! Bob

Posted by JohnL on December 3, 1999, at 2:50:19

In reply to Inquiring minds want to know!, posted by Bob on December 2, 1999, at 20:55:52

> What was the final (for now) verdict, JohnL?

I dunno Bob. Flip a coin, eh? This and other benzo threads clearly demonstrate how we all respond so differently without advance predictability. I'm really in a dark way right now and not in much condition to make decisions. It's 3:30ish AM right now, and my pdoc appointment is just 4 hours away. I think this will be the first time ever that I just walk in, throw in the towel, offer no suggestions or ideas, and just say, "Pull a magic trick out of your bag." I'll be curious to see where my pdoc wants to go from here without any input from me. He always goes along with whatever I want. But this time I think I'll let him take the lead and see what tricks he might have up his sleeve.

It's tough. Side effects that are a major problem to me are tinnitus, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction. The primary symptom is severe anhedonia/apathy. If I could just land on a med or a combo that was friendly to those side effects, I could push the dose to the limit and could care less about any of the other side effects. We'll see what happens in a few hours...Thanks for asking though. I really am in a bad way and your inquiring mind helped me feel a little better. Nice to know someone out there cares. Appreciate it very much. No one in my house has a clue what hell I'm walking through each day. Wishing you a smooth day. JohnL

 

Re: Inquiring minds want to know! Bob

Posted by Noa on December 3, 1999, at 12:02:00

In reply to Re: Inquiring minds want to know! Bob, posted by JohnL on December 3, 1999, at 2:50:19

Hey, John, how did your pdoc appointment go?

Thinking of you...Noa

 

Re: Inquiring minds want to know! Noa

Posted by JohnL on December 3, 1999, at 14:10:44

In reply to Re: Inquiring minds want to know! Bob, posted by Noa on December 3, 1999, at 12:02:00

> Hey, John, how did your pdoc appointment go?
>
> Thinking of you...Noa

Hi Noa. Very nice to hear from you. The appointment was interesting, but a little more reserved than I was hoping for. One step at a time he tells me.

The first step is removing the Remeron. My pdoc seemed to think my theory of receptor-blocking drugs preventing full response made sense with me, based on my history of lousy response to receptor-blocking drugs like Remeron, Serzone, Trazodone. And my more favorable responses to drugs that don't block receptors. He admitted that was a rather atypical way to look at it, but that since everything else about me has been atypical, it made enough sense to take action on it. He suggested replacing the Remeron with a benzo. After agreeing on the fact that there's probably no way to know in advance which benzo is better for me, especially considering my atypical responses to other meds, we decided on Xanax as a first try. For sleep only, as needed.

I wanted to do more, like either replace the Prozac altogether or add something else to it. But he was pretty firm in going one step at a time. He said if my theory is correct, I might find removing the Remeron might make all the difference in the world. He wants to try that for a couple weeks first. He seemed to favor staying with Prozac since it was, in atypical fashion, enhancing my sex life. He said in the old days he had a lot of success with Desipramine and we would likely try adding that one in a couple weeks if needed. He also mentioned Reboxetine and maybe Effexor, though he seemed reluctant that Effexor might be problematic in sex. He agreed that for melancholic depressives like me, those old tricyclics worked great. So we might try Desipramine in a couple weeks. We'll see. He really seems to like Desipramine.

For now, I'll be satisfied with a good night's sleep. Don't know if Xanax will agree with me, but I guess I'll find out real soon, like tonight. Maybe I'll feel better when the Remeron is washed out. If not, the chase goes on. Again though, nice to hear from you. Hope your med is going smooth so far. JohnL

 

Meds Merry?-go-round

Posted by Bob on December 5, 1999, at 9:52:21

In reply to Re: Inquiring minds want to know! Noa, posted by JohnL on December 3, 1999, at 14:10:44

Xanax it is, then. I hope it goes well for you. I should have tossed in my vote for klonopin. But the benzo/TCA (nortriptyline) combo is working fairly well for me. Going off zoloft felt like, well, it's hard to describe. SSRIs made me feel a number of ways, sometimes even quite well, but there was always this sense like, well, like I was walking through neck-deep water. There was some resistance to any sort of movement or action or decision. Even now that I've been off SSRIs for a month now (after about a 5-6 week taper off zoloft), it's still hard to describe. All I know is that even while on zoloft, once I settled into being on a TCA things got much better for me. They still have some way to go, but I'm stable and highly functioning.

Your pdoc sounds like mine ... I was eager to try his suggestion of low doses of Wellbutrin to augment, but he still wants to see me settle into life without SSRIs for another month. One variable at a time.

... which reminds me: I had mentioned that I thought too much change had been happening for me to give a good evaluation for NADH as an energy-boosting supplement ... between med changes and getting my apnea properly addressed. Well, I've been off of NADH (mostly through carelessness but, after a few missed days, intentionally) for about a week now and my ass is dragging! Again, could be a number of factors, but I'm going to give the stuff another shot in January, after my next pdoc session and (hopefully) several weeks after I finally get a cpap machine for my apnea. Stay tuned, sports fans.

Hang in there, JohnL. All of us on cocktails know how disrupting dropping and/or adding a med can be. Ride it out and let it settle down ... here's hoping you need none of the former and get all of the latter.

Bob

 

Re: Meds Merry?-go-round-Bob

Posted by Phil on December 5, 1999, at 11:30:21

In reply to Re: Meds Merry?-go-round-, posted by Phil on December 5, 1999, at 11:21:05

Bob,

What's your current dosage of Nortriptyline?

Phil

 

Re: Inquiring minds want to know!

Posted by JohnL on December 5, 1999, at 14:57:45

In reply to Re: Inquiring minds want to know! Noa, posted by JohnL on December 3, 1999, at 14:10:44

Xanax is pretty strong stuff. I'm glad I don't need it for anxiety or whatever. My first night I took .5mg...too much. Second night took .25mg...still a bit more than I need to sleep. I've read that people often take upwards of 4mg? Oh my gosh. Can't imagine.

 

Taking a minimalist approach ...

Posted by Bob on December 5, 1999, at 20:37:50

In reply to Re: Meds Merry?-go-round-Bob, posted by Phil on December 5, 1999, at 11:30:21

> What's your current dosage of Nortriptyline?

75mg/d which I guess is at about the bottom of the therapeutic dosage range. I had started it as an augmentor to zoloft, but I got the idea that it was doing more for me after a while than the big Z. So, I got off of Z and I'm feeling better than I ever have, on a stable basis, on any SSRI I've taken (just Z, prozac, and paxil at various times). I've found Ntrip to be pretty sedating even at this level -- once I started it while I was still on the full dose of zoloft plus 1mg/d of clonazepam it was enough to aggravate my sleep apnea to the point of having sleep attacks. Now that I'm on the TCA/benzo-only combo, the sedation has backed off.

Funny you should ask here ... I just put my two cents in on your thread above (tho not with dosages).

JohnL, I know what you mean about being thankful. I understand the 1mg/d I take of clonazepam (klonopin) is pretty low as well, even though I am taking it for my panic disorder. It's so nice to respond WELL to a drug for a change!! I was on an anti-psychotic once, perphenazine, for some wellbutrin-induced spontaneous rages. Only 4mg, and I've heard that truly psychotic folks need WAAAAY more than that ... that stuff kicked my arse left and right -- sedation is hardly an appropriate term.

Bob


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