Amitriptyline

I am taking 100mg at night. I used to take 150mg but reduced it due to palpitations and flashes of lightheadedness and dizziness and palpitations.
My doctor thought these were due to anxiety-I didn't and still don't.(the palpitations often woke me up !).
All was well for a while - but now they are back again.
I can resist having a panic attack on top of the swmptoms, but they are very unpleasant.
I also now have some unsteadiness and bad coordination when walking, and would like to stop the drug.
I was prescibed this drug in particular for my insomia and it worked well for a while.
It doesn't now.
I have also put on quite a bit of weight.
Would one of the new SSRI's be of benefit to me (not Prozac - didn't do a thing) - say Celexa or Venlafaxine?
(I also don't like the heart attack potential of amitriptlyine).
I would appreciate a quick reply.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

yes, ask your doctor about those you mentioned, and also zoloft and paxil.

[Maddie]

As an answer you can say 'don't know'!
It's been 8 days since my question about Amitritpyline - any comments by anyone?
Also a question on same - can one wean off Amitriptyline to a SSRI without leaving a gap between.
This site says yes, my doctor (a G.P) says No.
X Maddie

[Charlieadd]

Dear Maddie:
   I use Doxepin as a sleep aid.  It is a Tricyclic.  It can affect your heart.  I am hypersensitive to it; I use about a 1/10 of the normal dose.  Its action does have a great range dependind on the person.  It is commonly perscribed for the elderly. It is used for sleep aid with minor aches, antidepressant etc.  
    I sense your fustration.  I have seen 4 Psychiatrists, at least a dozen family doctors and counselors over the last 10 years.  3 months ago, I realized I have ADD (depression is a secondary effect).  I am not suggesting that you have this but,
ADD alone does not respond to SSRIs.  I have probibly used a half a dozen including proxac and paxil.  What I am suggesting is that you do the research yourself.  In my case, the book "Driven to distraction" was key.  I relate perfectly to a certian subtype of  ADD.  Research is being done and there are some very safe drugs.
But the doctor cannot get inside your head.  All the doctors that
I have talked to say that perscribing drugs is trial and error.  I hope I have encourged you.  Don't be affraid to try another doctor, also.  In the Boston area, I would expect better medical availability.  But, this has not been my experience... Charlie