Posted by BarbaraCat on March 10, 2003, at 2:06:24
In reply to Any side effects? » BarbaraCat, posted by JaneB on March 9, 2003, at 18:25:40
Hi Jane,
No weight gain, au contraire. But read on. I've been on most of the newer SSRI's and their analogues since mid 80's. I'd be fine for a while, then poop-out, and every increase would create a nasty agitated depression. I realized I had classic Bipolar II symptoms in late 2001, at which time I was on Remeron (talk about weight gain! I packed on 30 pounds in 6 months.) Same thing, worked fine and then supercrash. My pdoc suggested adding lithium as an augmenter. It helped alot, but I hated the weight gain and felt a SSRI type drug was exacerbating my mixed states episodes. I dropped Remeron and never looked back.So about 1 year ago I started lithium and lamictal which worked fine except nothing would budge my weight. Lithium also is detrimental to my long-standing hypothyroidism (weight gain, increased depression). So I increased the thyroid med but didn't notice much difference. I was doing OK until this past December when my Mother died suddenly under very traumatic circumstances. It was a surreal and very intense time and I slipped off the edge of sanity. I went through what seems like forever but was actually about 6 weeks of suicidal despair and frenzy. Was very very close to spending time under observation.
Since we'd run out of options, my pdoc suggested Nortriptyline and within 3 weeks I was literally saved. Side effects? The only bothersome one is cotton mouth which does not usually go away. I tote water bottles everywhere and suck on Ricola's. I've heard about the weight gain, but it's been just the opposite for me. A few years ago I invested in an expensive rebounder, a mini trampoline. Never used it. I dragged it into my living room where I have to literally walk over it, and have been using it ferociously. I've lost 25 lbs in LESS THAN 1 MONTH!
I can honestly say that the Nortrip has given me back my life force and that spark has inspired me to work out like hell. I could barely drag myself to the bathroom before. So no, I have no problem with the weight thing at all. There is no substitute for exercise. We hate to hear it, but we've got to just accept it. Nothing else will budge that pudge. The secret is to find a way to move your fanny that you'll truly enjoy. I highly recommend a rebounder (the good ones only - about $200).
poster:BarbaraCat
thread:206329
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030306/msgs/207668.html