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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Maxime on February 13, 2005, at 20:50:37
With all the meds I have been on, I often feel like my pdoc should just put my pills in PEZ dispenser because often they are like taking a sugar pill.
I have been nortriptyline and amitripyline. With both, especially the latter, I was so sedated that I couldn't get passed the starting dosage. I tried to stick it out, but I couldn't function.
So, what other TCA could I try that wouldn't cause the same debilitating sedation?
I see my pdoc on Tuesday and I need to have suggestions for him to consider. Of course I need to know the "whys".
If no one here can help me, is there any website that explains the difference of all the TCA and their side effects. I have searched, but not found one.
Hope someone can help.
Maxime
Posted by med_empowered on February 13, 2005, at 21:21:29
In reply to TCA - which PEZ dispenser should I get?, posted by Maxime on February 13, 2005, at 20:50:37
hey! I'd try the new-ish version of Tofranil, Tofranil PM. Its basically good old imipramine, but it's been slightly altered so you can take one nightly dose and still have steady blood-levels of the drug throughout the day. When you first start taking it, it will be sedating...but, for me at least, it wasn't so bad, and it kind of acted like a really mild sleeping pill. If you're severely depressed, you might want to try Ascending (amoxapine)...it rapidly improves severe depression, with or without depression.
Posted by tygereyes on February 13, 2005, at 21:57:49
In reply to TCA - which PEZ dispenser should I get?, posted by Maxime on February 13, 2005, at 20:50:37
I've found Desipramine to be much less sedating than Nortriptyline, personally.
Also, since it's primarily noradrenic, it's supposedly great for ADD/ADHD (I think I remember you saying you were on Adderall). The only problem is that some people experience an increase in anxiety. I haven't noticed this, personally, and feel less anxious than ever.
Posted by Maxime on February 13, 2005, at 22:50:47
In reply to Re: TCA - which PEZ dispenser should I get?, posted by med_empowered on February 13, 2005, at 21:21:29
Tofranil PM is not available in Canada. Health Canada probably saw some report that it made people sleepy. Amoxapine is not available either. Health Canada probably read a report that it was effective.
Maxime
> hey! I'd try the new-ish version of Tofranil, Tofranil PM. Its basically good old imipramine, but it's been slightly altered so you can take one nightly dose and still have steady blood-levels of the drug throughout the day. When you first start taking it, it will be sedating...but, for me at least, it wasn't so bad, and it kind of acted like a really mild sleeping pill. If you're severely depressed, you might want to try Ascending (amoxapine)...it rapidly improves severe depression, with or without depression.
Posted by Maxime on February 13, 2005, at 23:04:48
In reply to Re: TCA - which PEZ dispenser should I get?, posted by tygereyes on February 13, 2005, at 21:57:49
Hi,
The Adderall was being used as an anti-depressant because it was the only thing that could get me going.What side effects have you encountered? Do you have to have blood levels tested? What about an EKG prior to starting the med. What dosage do you take?
In all honesty I don't know if my doctor is going to go for a TCA trial because of my history of anorexia. But since I have nothing else to try at this point, we might have to consider it and monitor my heart on a regular basis.
Thanks.
Maxime
> I've found Desipramine to be much less sedating than Nortriptyline, personally.
>
> Also, since it's primarily noradrenic, it's supposedly great for ADD/ADHD (I think I remember you saying you were on Adderall). The only problem is that some people experience an increase in anxiety. I haven't noticed this, personally, and feel less anxious than ever.
Posted by Maxime on February 13, 2005, at 23:14:55
In reply to Re: TCA - which PEZ dispenser should I get?, posted by Maxime on February 13, 2005, at 22:50:47
Oh and I saw as one of the POSSIBLE side effects breast enlargement and milk secretion which worries me because I lactated on every antipsychotic I have been on and I wonder if this med increases the prolactin level in the body. It can also increase pancreatic enzymes ... again a worry as I damaged my pancreas from a OD.
Crap, who am I kidding? He isn't going to let me try a TCA even though I have been on them before (with another pdoc).
Maxime .... who is feeling very hopeless right now.
Posted by tygereyes on February 14, 2005, at 17:17:30
In reply to Re: TCA - which PEZ dispenser should I get? » tygereyes, posted by Maxime on February 13, 2005, at 23:04:48
I have a severe history of anorexia nervosa. In fact, my last hospitalization was less than a month and a half ago. With regular EKGs, it has not been an issue but my psychiatrist has warned me that if my weight gets as low as it did before my last hospitalization, she'll pull me off the med.
On Desipramine, I've had the usual suspects: dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, increased sweating. I currently take 75 mgs. Weight gain and appetite increase has not been an issue (on Nortriptyline, it definitely was).
I've also had blood levels tested, to see what "range" I am in but that only needs to be done once or twice before acheiving a stable dose.
> Hi,
> The Adderall was being used as an anti-depressant because it was the only thing that could get me going.
>
> What side effects have you encountered? Do you have to have blood levels tested? What about an EKG prior to starting the med. What dosage do you take?
>
> In all honesty I don't know if my doctor is going to go for a TCA trial because of my history of anorexia. But since I have nothing else to try at this point, we might have to consider it and monitor my heart on a regular basis.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Maxime
>
>
> > I've found Desipramine to be much less sedating than Nortriptyline, personally.
> >
> > Also, since it's primarily noradrenic, it's supposedly great for ADD/ADHD (I think I remember you saying you were on Adderall). The only problem is that some people experience an increase in anxiety. I haven't noticed this, personally, and feel less anxious than ever.
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
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