Posted by Robert_Burton_1621 on February 15, 2015, at 5:26:27
In reply to Re: Sleep, FOOD, fluids and hypotension. » Robert_Burton_1621, posted by ed_uk2010 on February 14, 2015, at 10:25:13
> So maybe just avoid it? Easier said than done, but I think you can do it.>Thanks, Ed. No time like the present, so I've stopped today.
> I'd request something else. Temazepam is anxiolytic, but obviously wasn't sedating enough for you, and the itching is not a good sign. I would consider zopidem, zopiclone... or perhaps cyproheptadine, if available.
>I will definitely pursue this as far as hypnotic effect goes.
I am still itching after stopping temazepam a day and-a-half ago.
It's just occured to me that the itching may not be a reaction to it at all. I have been experiencing this symptom on and off for the last 18 months, ever since I withdrew from a high dose of amitriptyline. What's been happening is that every two or three weeks i get itching symptoms, slight at first but then within four day unbearable. This persisted while i was on Effexor and I took 5mg - 10mg of amitriptyline and the problem was solved for a couple of weeks. I didn't need to do this while on mirtazapine, nor when I was on nortriptyline. *But*, what strikes me as not coincidental, is that I stopped nortriptyline 10 days ago now: and the itching has come back.
Because I am taking nothing with H1 antagonism, I guess that's why the itching isn't being suppressed?
As I said, this has been a totally consistent pattern for the last 18 months - 2 years.
Are such symptoms heard of when people withdraw from amitriptyline, and is it not uncommon for them to persist so long?
I've stopped the temazepam: how long should I wait to be able to exclude it as a possible cause of the itching?
And the only other possible cause is parnate itself. But I haven't read anything about itching except as a case of severe allergic reaction and I don't seem to have the accompanying signs for that to be plausible.
Given the above, I think - instead of taking a small dose of amitriptyline every two weeks - your suggestion to use Cyproheptadine with its strong anithistamine sedative effect may be a way of killing two birds with one stone. (Well, three, actually, given its use in headache management, too)
> >Sorry - I'm imposing on you with all of these questions!
>
> No problem!
>It's very generous of you - this stage of the parnate process would be so much more difficult were it not for this forum and the pretty amazing feedback I get from members like you.
>I wrote you a post at the top of the page in the Effexor + Remeron vs Parnate thread. I called it 'pharmacology'. It might be of some use.
>Yes, noticed that right away. I have printed it out and read it once. But I need to take time and read it with full attention. It's the best outline (for someone like me) I've come across!
Would you recommend a basic, reliable, introductory textbook on psychopharmacology? Something a little more rigorous that (e.g.) "Prozac for Dummies" but not forbiddingly specialised.
poster:Robert_Burton_1621
thread:1075968
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20150129/msgs/1076663.html