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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Amitriptyline
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
Amitriptyline
by Maddie, May 13, 2001 12:00AM
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.
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.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., May 23, 2001 12:00AM
, May 23, 2001 12:00AM
yes, ask your doctor about those you mentioned, and also zoloft and paxil.
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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
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