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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by CareBear04 on November 9, 2008, at 22:46:09
I recently tried amitriptyline for the first time. It wasn't mine, but I took two pills, which I think amounted to about 300mg. I took a Xanax or two. I really really didn't think I would be harmed, but I collapsed, was admitted to the ICU, and didn't wake up until, I think, the next day.
But no one believes I didn't OD. The doctor said my tox screen was negative for tricyclics. How can this be?
Thanks,
CB
Posted by yxibow on November 9, 2008, at 23:29:14
In reply to can anyone explain this weirdness?, posted by CareBear04 on November 9, 2008, at 22:46:09
> I recently tried amitriptyline for the first time. It wasn't mine, but I took two pills, which I think amounted to about 300mg. I took a Xanax or two. I really really didn't think I would be harmed, but I collapsed, was admitted to the ICU, and didn't wake up until, I think, the next day.
You're lucky to be alive, that way exceeds a typical dose. Tricyclics can be as dangerous as barbiturates and I'm sure I am stretching the borderline of what I should say but I am trying to put it sensibly. Xanax only added to the CNS depression and you were probably in the ICU to monitor lung collapse and all sorts of things I'm not going to write up.
> But no one believes I didn't OD. The doctor said my tox screen was negative for tricyclics. How can this be?
Maybe you didn't take what you think you did? Anyone can look up the half life so I won't go there. It probably had a false negative with the plasma level.
> Thanks,
> CBBut what led you to this is more important -- were you trying to shut out the world because things were too painful and you just wanted to sleep or were you trying to check out, because that is something that you eventually will need to discuss with your psychiatrist.
Its really hard to fight against depression, but if that's the case, please stay with us. I'm sure all of our minds have wandered there, that's natural, and in the end nothing can prevent someone from doing the deed but think hard and stay strong. And think of no matter how hard it hurts, it could hurt others too.
I am making no accusations, all of this sensibility goes for anyone. Including myself, on bad days.
To life.
-- best wishes
Jay
Posted by Phillipa on November 9, 2008, at 23:32:19
In reply to Re: can anyone explain this weirdness? » CareBear04, posted by yxibow on November 9, 2008, at 23:29:14
I didn't know that. That's why the docs don't use TCA's Much as more dangerous hence the SSRI SNRI's Phillipa. CarBear you must have been scared.
Posted by mav27 on November 9, 2008, at 23:57:12
In reply to can anyone explain this weirdness?, posted by CareBear04 on November 9, 2008, at 22:46:09
>
> But no one believes I didn't OD. The doctor said my tox screen was negative for tricyclics. How can this be?That's because you did OD. You took twice the usual max adult dose of 150mg.
Posted by yxibow on November 10, 2008, at 0:14:30
In reply to Re: can anyone explain this weirdness? » CareBear04, posted by mav27 on November 9, 2008, at 23:57:12
> >
> > But no one believes I didn't OD. The doctor said my tox screen was negative for tricyclics. How can this be?
>
> That's because you did OD. You took twice the usual max adult dose of 150mg.That's why I wasn't going to go there.
My comment about tricyclics especially applies to amitriptyline. I'm not going any further on this. Its only in the guise of those who are taking amitriptyline as directed that I will say this to prevent any problems as old drugs don't have the antidotes that new ones have.
I've said more than enough.
-- Jay
Posted by Maria3667 on November 10, 2008, at 4:33:28
In reply to can anyone explain this weirdness?, posted by CareBear04 on November 9, 2008, at 22:46:09
Dear CB,
The first time my pdoc put me on Amitriptyline I went KO for 24 hours. And that was only on 75 mgs.
Maria
> I recently tried amitriptyline for the first time. It wasn't mine, but I took two pills, which I think amounted to about 300mg. I took a Xanax or two. I really really didn't think I would be harmed, but I collapsed, was admitted to the ICU, and didn't wake up until, I think, the next day.
>
> But no one believes I didn't OD. The doctor said my tox screen was negative for tricyclics. How can this be?
>
> Thanks,
> CB
Posted by Justherself54 on November 10, 2008, at 10:08:18
In reply to Re: can anyone explain this weirdness? » CareBear04, posted by Maria3667 on November 10, 2008, at 4:33:28
10 mg put me out for a whole day!
Posted by HyperFocus on November 10, 2008, at 12:31:37
In reply to can anyone explain this weirdness?, posted by CareBear04 on November 9, 2008, at 22:46:09
Two things:
I've never seen amitriptyline 150mg pills, the most common are 10,25 and I think 75. Are you sure
about what you took?Any benzo will greatly exacerbate the CNS depressant effect of amitrip, especially for someone who's not on amitrip regularly.
Glad you're ok.
> I recently tried amitriptyline for the first time. It wasn't mine, but I took two pills, which I think amounted to about 300mg. I took a Xanax or two. I really really didn't think I would be harmed, but I collapsed, was admitted to the ICU, and didn't wake up until, I think, the next day.
>
> But no one believes I didn't OD. The doctor said my tox screen was negative for tricyclics. How can this be?
>
> Thanks,
> CB
Posted by Maxime on November 10, 2008, at 16:15:01
In reply to can anyone explain this weirdness?, posted by CareBear04 on November 9, 2008, at 22:46:09
Because you did OD. When I first started amitriptyline I started at 10 mg. 300 mg is way to much even if you had been on it for a while. You took enough to take down a horse. :)
I don't know why the blood test didn't show that you didn't have any in your blood.
What dosage were you supposed to start off at?
Posted by Maxime on November 10, 2008, at 16:17:10
In reply to can anyone explain this weirdness?, posted by CareBear04 on November 9, 2008, at 22:46:09
Just checked. The usual dosage is 50-200 mg with 300 mg as a maximum. It has a 20 hour half life.
Posted by Maxime on November 10, 2008, at 16:18:55
In reply to Re: can anyone explain this weirdness?, posted by Justherself54 on November 10, 2008, at 10:08:18
> 10 mg put me out for a whole day!
Me too! I couldn't even handle the 10 mg.
Posted by Nadezda on November 10, 2008, at 17:59:16
In reply to can anyone explain this weirdness?, posted by CareBear04 on November 9, 2008, at 22:46:09
Could you explain why you took someone else's pills? it's pretty dangerous to experiment with drugs you don't know anything about--particularly interactions with any drugs you're already taking. Is it possible you did OD and don't quite remember? Since you seem not to remember exactly what you took?
I get the feeling-- perhaps I'm wrong and if so, I'm sorry-- that you don't think you did anything much.
Nadezda
Posted by JadeKelly on November 10, 2008, at 21:13:49
In reply to can anyone explain this weirdness?, posted by CareBear04 on November 9, 2008, at 22:46:09
> I recently tried amitriptyline for the first time. It wasn't mine, but I took two pills, which I think amounted to about 300mg. I took a Xanax or two. I really really didn't think I would be harmed, but I collapsed, was admitted to the ICU, and didn't wake up until, I think, the next day.
>
> But no one believes I didn't OD. The doctor said my tox screen was negative for tricyclics. How can this be?
>
> Thanks,
> CBHi CareBear,
Glad your OK!
Hears what I just read that may explain in its totality:
1. Most common side effects (tricyclics in general): Sedation and anticholinergic effects incuding blurred vision; disorientation;confusion; blood pressure changes.
2. Usual dose specific to Amitriptyline: starting dose for adult: 25mg 3xday.
Sounds like you took 4x the normal starting dose,not divided into 3 doses but all at once, with some side effects that could knock you out on their own!
Add to that a couple benzos...Glad your OK! Lesson learned I geuss.
All just mho of course.
~Jade
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