Posted by hildi on May 20, 2003, at 7:30:04
In reply to Re: nortryptline affect on anxiety, posted by Jackster on May 19, 2003, at 4:02:29
> > I'm wanting to try another route than SSRI's for my anxiety and depression- I have read some good posts about nortryptline, but would that med cause even more anxeity? Also, I have read that the TCA's are bad for those who have bipolar tendencies. Does anyone have any comments or experience with this?
> >
> > I'm interested- never tried a TCA. I've always been on SSRI's and they all make me feel lousy in one way or another.
> > Hildi
>
>
> Hi Hildi
>
> I've been on Paxil for years for panic disorder and a while ago it pooped out. One of the drugs my PDoc tried augmenting it with was Nortriptyline. The two interreact, so you only need a small dose of the nortrip to get the therapeutic window. I honestly think it increased my anxiety - despite me being on it for 8 weeks. I think it has to do with the strong NE uptake like you say. If that's the case - then technically Celexa or Paxil would be one of the better meds for you. (Being almost totally serotonin - I think). How long was your trial on these SSRI's - they do tend to be activating at the start - but the idea with panic or anxiety patients is start really low and go slow. There are even liquid forms of these meds to help with this.
>
> Did you try an SSRI with a mood stabiliser? (Sorry I can't remember from your other post).
>
> Anyway - good luck.
>
> Jackie
>Hi. Yes, I've tried depakote and also neurotin; neither helped and actually made me feel more mania. I didn't want to give either of these meds more time or try dose adjustments because of the embarassment my mania was causing me.
I think you're on to something with the NE induced anxiety, but I also think a little of it increases my concentration. For prozac it worked that way for a while, but then the mania I got from it was pretty intense (but totally unlike the nuerotontin or dep), then it made me more OCD and moody. Now when I take prozac, I feel good the first day and feel like a bitch the next.
Now the lexapro I'm on now is all serotonin, and it reminds me of when I was on zoloft: sea-sick feeling and apathy. No increased concentration at all, total lack of it and no interest in anything. Higher doses cause more nausea and mania so I am sticking with a low dose for now.
Hildi
PS: I've been on zoloft for eight years, prozac off and on for many years . . Paxil only a short time- terrible reaction with anxiety! Celexa severe mania and then deeper depression. Wellbutrin and effexor were both disasters, too. So you see, I've given them all a shot- in the SSRI family, I mean.
poster:hildi
thread:227219
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030520/msgs/227841.html