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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 morganator on December 9, 2009, at 4:30:26
Can Nortriptyline enhance libido?
Also, can someone respond to Nortriptyline in the first week of treatment?
Blueaberry, you mentioned taking it for headaches at 5 mgs. Does that also help you sleep??
I need help fast and I cannot wait to get off all meds and then switch. I think I may have to start nortriptyline and then ween off other meds and decide what to replace them with. I have a job interview this morning. Ugh..can't sleep!!
Posted by Phillipa on December 9, 2009, at 10:52:06
In reply to Nortrioptyline question, posted by morganator on December 9, 2009, at 4:30:26
Morgan guess the interview is over how did it go and did you take the nortrioptyline? Phillipa
Posted by morganator on December 9, 2009, at 11:50:14
In reply to Re: Nortrioptyline question » morganator, posted by Phillipa on December 9, 2009, at 10:52:06
Interview went well thanks for asking. Going to see my doc today. We will see what he says.
Man, I can't remember getting a job and working ever feeling like such a chore. When your energy levels are low, you feel tons of anxiety, your sleep is bad, and your body feels horrible, it is very difficult to feel good about doing anything.
Posted by morganator on December 9, 2009, at 11:50:50
In reply to Re: Nortrioptyline question » morganator, posted by Phillipa on December 9, 2009, at 10:52:06
I forgot to thank you for asking. Thank you!
Posted by bleauberry on December 9, 2009, at 16:54:46
In reply to Nortrioptyline question, posted by morganator on December 9, 2009, at 4:30:26
Because my dose was so low and I am exquisitely sensitive to most substances manmade or natural, I'm not sure I am a good reference or not.
Nortriptyline disturbed my sleep for about 2 nights and then improved it after that. It wasn't a heavy sedative feeling like some drugs are, but I just fell asleep faster and slept deeper.
I did experience perhaps a 40% improvement in mood during the first 2 weeks at just 5mg. I should say however that I also started 6mg Zoloft (brand) with it at the same time. It was after that I changed my mind on Zoloft and stopped it. Continued with nortriptyline, planning to increase the dose. It went like this:
Week1: Zoloft6mg + Nortriptyline 5mg...impressed.
Week2: Same, still impressed.
Week3: Felt Zoloft wasn't needed, ditched it, the improvement continued without it.
Week4: Still just 5mg Nortriptyline, but things not as good. Something's not right.
Week 5: Tried upping to 7.5mg and 10mg, and switching to brand instead of generic, disaster, much deepened depression.
Week6: Gave up.Looking back it was easy to see my mistake...I should have kept the low dose zoloft+nortriptyline combo going. I should not have rocked the boat. All I needed was more time, not a higher dose and not monotherapy.
My libido was good, the time to orgasm was increased but not excessively.
I had only two real side effects. First, a lousy taste in the mouth that made cigarettes taste bad. Second, a decrease in appetite. I was hoping for weight gain, but lost weight instead.
I did respond within the first week, but keep in mind that was with a smidgen of zoloft with it. A few months earlier I had tried nortriptyline by itself and that did not go well at all. I had already bailed out of that after just a week because it felt horrible to me. Somehow the mixture changed the whole flavor, so that it wasn't anything like zoloft or anything like nortriptyline, but more like something completely different than either alone.
In the pharmaceutical world there are very few things I can tolerate, and very few that actually help rather than hurt. This combo as one of the few friendly ones. Nortriptyline by itself however was not friendly to me.
> Can Nortriptyline enhance libido?
>
> Also, can someone respond to Nortriptyline in the first week of treatment?
>
> Blueaberry, you mentioned taking it for headaches at 5 mgs. Does that also help you sleep??
>
> I need help fast and I cannot wait to get off all meds and then switch. I think I may have to start nortriptyline and then ween off other meds and decide what to replace them with. I have a job interview this morning. Ugh..can't sleep!!
Posted by bleauberry on December 9, 2009, at 17:03:56
In reply to Nortrioptyline question, posted by morganator on December 9, 2009, at 4:30:26
I don't remember what other meds you are on?
If one is an SSRI, you may discover as you are weaning down and introducing nortriptyline at the same time that the mixture is very good. It's quite possible. Whatever other meds you have, I doubt they will play a role. SSRI+nortrip just happens to be a pretty reliable bet most of the time, better than either alone.
As for sleep, well, if that is a serious issue, I am not sure if nortrip will do that or not. It could, but it is not famous for that. Norepinephrine meds like Milnacipran or Nortriptyline happen to improve my sleep, presumably by activating the feedback loops that slow down overactive adrenaline circuits.
For serious sleep issues, my two favorites are:
1. Lunesta.
2. Ultra low dose Remeron (1mg - 7.5mg). These very low doses, almost crumbs, are so much more sedating than therapeutic doses. From what I can "feel" and "hear" (as in tinnitus), the norepinephrine stimulation of remeron begins around the 7.5mg dose...anything less is almost purely antihistamine and serotonin receptor blockade...both powerful pro-sleep.3. Occasional use of Klonopin works good too...but not to be used on a regular daily basis.
I've never tried it, but amitriptyline is supposed be excellent for sleep.
I do not favor the use of antipsychotics in nonpsychotic patients for purposes of sleep. Messing with the dopamine system is risky and should be reserved for cases where there is much more at stake than just a sleep issue. My opinion.
Posted by morganator on December 9, 2009, at 20:14:31
In reply to Re: Nortrioptyline question, posted by bleauberry on December 9, 2009, at 17:03:56
>I do not favor the use of antipsychotics in nonpsychotic patients for purposes of sleep. Messing with the dopamine system is risky and should be reserved for cases where there is much more at stake than just a sleep issue. My opinion.
Yeah I'm taking zyprexa for a mixed episode 5 months ago. I still think I would have been better off in the long run not ever taking it at all. Now, my doc wants me to stop taking it. I never should have needed an antipsycotic, the conditions which brought me to the point of mixed mania 2 times easily could have been avoided. I am concerned about the health of my brain for sure.
I'm on Zoloft 150 soon to be 100. When I started 200 mgs I noticed an improvement but after 2 weeks my head hurt more than before and I felt more numb. I am also on Depakote 1500 soon to go down to 1000.
Thanks Bleauberry,
Morgan
Posted by Phillipa on December 9, 2009, at 20:37:31
In reply to Re: Nortrioptyline question, posted by morganator on December 9, 2009, at 11:50:50
Your welcome!!!!! Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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