Posted by hildi on May 20, 2003, at 7:44:44
In reply to Re: p.s. there's also Strattera » hildi, posted by zeugma on May 19, 2003, at 15:57:38
> I'm taking both nortriptyline and Strattera. My dr. thinks that with 75 mg nortriptyline in my system a day, I would only need 25 mg Strattera a day to help with my ADHD- about a quarter of a normal dose. So far (day 6) it seems to be working. My mind feels transparent, not opaque (ADHD is my primary dx and my depression tends to be brought on by ADHD-related crises in my personal life and career).
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> Nortriptyline from what I can tell is about EQUALLY potent to Strattera- there are similar effective dose ranges for the two drugs. Nortriptyline is a lot less selective, though, also blocking histaminic, cholinergic, alpha-1 adrenergic, and 5-HT 2A receptors. Some of this probably helps anxiety- e.g. histamic block causes sedation, which can help with sleep. In my experience, nortriptyline is like a stimulating drug overlaid woth a sedative, with the sedation slightly predominating, while the Strattera so far seems to be without the sedating component. That's why the Strattera and nortrip seem to be complementary and why I will continue to take both until a reason presents itself not to.
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> So you didn't like EFfexor or Wellbutrin? I had a terrible time with WB as well- probably an allergic reaction, as I had immediate autonomic CNS side effects. WB however is a drug that seems to cause a LOT of idiosyncratic side effects and dysphoria. And it is by no means a pure NE reuptake inhibitor. Looking thru articles on WB's 'mechanisms of action' reveals convolutions unmatched by any other drug in the armaterarium. What dose Effexor were you on? Effexor at relatively low doses is more of an SRI.
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I can't remember what dose of Effexor I was on it was a while ago and the experience was one I'd like to forget. It induced LSD flashblacks to me, and that was just ONE of the side effects. WB caused more anxiety, but you know, I was only on it a very short time and didn't give it a chance. Paxil, as I may have mentioned caused me so much anxiety I had a major meltdown and everything in my life fell apart. The only two SSRI's I can somewhat tolerate were prozac and zoloft, now both of those make me ill and foggy-minded, with prozac inducing next day extreme moodiness. This Lexapro I am on now feels just like the zoloft, and this is not what I want to feel like.
Hildi
poster:hildi
thread:227219
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030520/msgs/227843.html