Posted by papillon2 on July 23, 2012, at 1:50:28
In reply to Sick from Nortriptyline?, posted by brynb on July 21, 2012, at 17:07:13
> Hi All,
>
> I'm on 20mg of Lexapro, 300mg of Lithium and 50mg of Tramadol, and though I had some side effects from Lithium, they seem to have disappeared and I'm feeling pretty good now.
>
> The thing is, my pdoc wants me to go off Tramadol and take Nortriptyline. I haven't stopped Tramadol yet, but I started Nortriptyline two nights ago, and it's making me feel sick (shaky, nauseas, faint, etc.). I almost passed out this morning. I had a similar reaction from Cymbalta a few years ago. I'm also becoming more irritable and having racing thoughts. Is it even possible these side effects are from just a couple of days on it (at 10mg)??
>
> Thanks.Hmmm, I can't remember my starting dose of Nortriptyline, but I definitely had shakiness, nausea and light-headedness with every dose change. I think these went away after two weeks on the new dose, if not they were definitely gone by week four. Be sure to sit and stand up slowly.
It may not be common, but it is possible to have severe side effects from only small doses of a psychoactive medication.
You may not get these, but in case you do, the cardiac side effects (palpitations, chest pain, tachycardia) would decrease at four weeks post dose increase. Taking mini aspirin and high-dose fish oil has helped with these side effects.
Is it particularly hot or humid where you live? Increased blood levels of Lithium can also cause shakiness, nausea and dizziness. For me, a tell-tale sign this was happening was an increase in the metallic taste in my mouth which often comes with Lithium use. Just throwing this out there.
Hope this helps.
Ring the bells that still can ring
forget your perfect offering
there is a crack in everything
that's how the light gets in
~ Leonard Cohen
poster:papillon2
thread:1021902
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20120718/msgs/1021984.html