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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jay on December 28, 2001, at 13:32:42
Hey folks:
I am looking for *your* individual experiences between tca's (tricyclics) and the newer SRI/SNRI's (Prozac, Effexor, Zoloft, etc.)
If you can name the drug, and indicate *very* specific effects (i.e. agitation vs. sedation), as well as issues with weight and sexual control, that would be great. Also, how about your particular feelings on the meds (i.e. 'numb' vs. 'hypomanic'.) P.S. Please also include any weight gain/loss issues, and length of time on med. Thanx!!
Jay
Posted by ben on December 28, 2001, at 13:56:18
In reply to Differences: TCA's Vs. SRI/SNRI's..Please post!, posted by jay on December 28, 2001, at 13:32:42
see the following discussion on this site:
Paxil vs. Celexa - differences, similarities?
> Hey folks:
>
> I am looking for *your* individual experiences between tca's (tricyclics) and the newer SRI/SNRI's (Prozac, Effexor, Zoloft, etc.)
>
> If you can name the drug, and indicate *very* specific effects (i.e. agitation vs. sedation), as well as issues with weight and sexual control, that would be great. Also, how about your particular feelings on the meds (i.e. 'numb' vs. 'hypomanic'.) P.S. Please also include any weight gain/loss issues, and length of time on med. Thanx!!
>
>
> Jay
Posted by jay on December 28, 2001, at 17:20:33
In reply to Re: Differences: TCA's Vs. SRI/SNRI's..Please post, posted by ben on December 28, 2001, at 13:56:18
> see the following discussion on this site:
>
> Paxil vs. Celexa - differences, similarities?
>Actually, these are both SRI's. I am looking for differences between SRI's and Tricyclics.
(i.e. Elavil Vs. Prozac.)Thanks..
Jay
Posted by IsoM on December 28, 2001, at 20:18:47
In reply to Differences: TCA's Vs. SRI/SNRI's..Please post!, posted by jay on December 28, 2001, at 13:32:42
Been taking ADs for 15 years now. I started with TCs & went on to SSRIs because of side-effects of TCs.
Tricyclics - I've taken amoxapine, disipramine, imipramine, doxapin - some worked, some didn't; all gave me very bad constipation that diet or bulk-builders wouldn't help & all sped up my heart-rate around 110-120 beats/minute. They all seemed to make me sleepier too but I do have narcolepsy, though mild.
Although Effexor & Wellbutrin aren't actually SSRIs, I've taken them too for a short while. Neither worked. Took Manerix (reversible MAOI) but it only made me cold & angry.
SSRIs were Prozac (didn't work, just gave me horrible nausea), Luvox (worked very well till it bottomed out after 2 years), Zoloft (made me vomit each time I took it, I had to stop after a few days), Paxil (also worked well for a few years), & now I'm on Celexa which works good & has for a year. All SSRIs seem to make me a little jitterier & tense but I'm still just as drowsy on them as I was on TCs. I have to take something else to counteract the sleepiness.
I've found for me that no AD makes a difference with my weight (I guess I'm lucky). If I'm down, I don't eat & get thin. If I'm well, I eat reasonably normal, sometimes still have to force myself too, but I weigh normal.
When I was married & things were going fairly well, I found that I enjoyed sex when treated for depression successfully. It was only when I was down that I wasn't interested. Also an atypical response though. Many I've read are affected adversely by ADs.
> Hey folks:
>
> I am looking for *your* individual experiences between tca's (tricyclics) and the newer SRI/SNRI's (Prozac, Effexor, Zoloft, etc.)
>
> If you can name the drug, and indicate *very* specific effects (i.e. agitation vs. sedation), as well as issues with weight and sexual control, that would be great. Also, how about your particular feelings on the meds (i.e. 'numb' vs. 'hypomanic'.) P.S. Please also include any weight gain/loss issues, and length of time on med. Thanx!!
>
>
> Jay
Posted by jay on December 29, 2001, at 5:22:24
In reply to Re: Differences: TCA's Vs. SRI/SNRI's..Please post! » jay, posted by IsoM on December 28, 2001, at 20:18:47
Thanks for the reply. How did you find the Amoxipine? I know there are dangers with EPS and all, but my Dad reacted to it quite well.Thanks..
Jay
> Been taking ADs for 15 years now. I started with TCs & went on to SSRIs because of side-effects of TCs.
>
> Tricyclics - I've taken amoxapine, disipramine, imipramine, doxapin - some worked, some didn't; all gave me very bad constipation that diet or bulk-builders wouldn't help & all sped up my heart-rate around 110-120 beats/minute. They all seemed to make me sleepier too but I do have narcolepsy, though mild.
>
> Although Effexor & Wellbutrin aren't actually SSRIs, I've taken them too for a short while. Neither worked. Took Manerix (reversible MAOI) but it only made me cold & angry.
>
> SSRIs were Prozac (didn't work, just gave me horrible nausea), Luvox (worked very well till it bottomed out after 2 years), Zoloft (made me vomit each time I took it, I had to stop after a few days), Paxil (also worked well for a few years), & now I'm on Celexa which works good & has for a year. All SSRIs seem to make me a little jitterier & tense but I'm still just as drowsy on them as I was on TCs. I have to take something else to counteract the sleepiness.
>
> I've found for me that no AD makes a difference with my weight (I guess I'm lucky). If I'm down, I don't eat & get thin. If I'm well, I eat reasonably normal, sometimes still have to force myself too, but I weigh normal.
>
> When I was married & things were going fairly well, I found that I enjoyed sex when treated for depression successfully. It was only when I was down that I wasn't interested. Also an atypical response though. Many I've read are affected adversely by ADs.
>
>
> > Hey folks:
> >
> > I am looking for *your* individual experiences between tca's (tricyclics) and the newer SRI/SNRI's (Prozac, Effexor, Zoloft, etc.)
> >
> > If you can name the drug, and indicate *very* specific effects (i.e. agitation vs. sedation), as well as issues with weight and sexual control, that would be great. Also, how about your particular feelings on the meds (i.e. 'numb' vs. 'hypomanic'.) P.S. Please also include any weight gain/loss issues, and length of time on med. Thanx!!
> >
> >
> > Jay
Posted by jay on December 29, 2001, at 5:24:44
In reply to Differences: TCA's Vs. SRI/SNRI's..Please post!, posted by jay on December 28, 2001, at 13:32:42
Hey folks:Maybe this will narrow down things a bit. Anybody on a maintenance TCA, which one(s), and has it helped?
Thanks, Jay
> Hey folks:
>
> I am looking for *your* individual experiences between tca's (tricyclics) and the newer SRI/SNRI's (Prozac, Effexor, Zoloft, etc.)
>
> If you can name the drug, and indicate *very* specific effects (i.e. agitation vs. sedation), as well as issues with weight and sexual control, that would be great. Also, how about your particular feelings on the meds (i.e. 'numb' vs. 'hypomanic'.) P.S. Please also include any weight gain/loss issues, and length of time on med. Thanx!!
>
>
> Jay
Posted by IsoM on December 29, 2001, at 12:33:26
In reply to Re: Differences: TCA's Vs. SRI/SNRI's..Please post! » IsoM, posted by jay on December 29, 2001, at 5:22:24
I reacted very well to amoxepine. The imipramine wasn't enough in itself & my pdoc thought it better to add amoxepine rather than up the imipramine any more. The amoxepine made a BIG difference & it was the combination I stuck to till I switched to SSRIs due to constipation & rapid heart-rate. I ended up taking an extra 150mg amoxepine, I think - it was years ago.
>
> Thanks for the reply. How did you find the Amoxipine? I know there are dangers with EPS and all, but my Dad reacted to it quite well.
>
> Thanks..
>
> Jay
Posted by ChrisK on December 30, 2001, at 3:08:20
In reply to Looking for TCA experience stories!! Pweeeeze :-), posted by jay on December 29, 2001, at 5:24:44
>
> Hey folks:
>
> Maybe this will narrow down things a bit. Anybody on a maintenance TCA, which one(s), and has it helped?
>
> Thanks, Jay
>
I've taken 100 mg/day of Nortriptyline for at least 3-4 years now and have no problems with it. I never reacted to the SSRI's. They always left me lifeless and didn't really have any efffect on my depression. I had reacted to Imiprimine in the past so I went back to the TCA's.I am on Nortrip because of its safety from overdosing. That was a big issue when I started on it years ago. It doesn't do everything for me by itself so I do augment with Zyprexa and Mirapex.
IMHO, TCA's get a bad rap about their side effects and are underutilized by doctors who think that newer is always better.
This is the end of the thread.
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