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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tonyz on May 17, 2009, at 12:51:04
I've taken Nortriptyline and Seroquel in combination in the past to treat the acute phases of my recurrent depression. I don't like either of these drugs. Have been having a real problem with sleep and concentration for the past year, got off the meds and there were relapses. Normally, I would not relapse this quickly once feeling better.
Current meds are 20mg valium, 50 seroquel, 50 Nortriptyline. Just started back on the Seroquel and NTP so the dosages are being ramped up gradually. Based on past experiences the NTP will probably wind up in the range of 175mg and the seroquel 100mg. I'm supposed to go up to 100mg tonight on the Seroquel per docs instructions.
I have the most worries about taking the seroquel and am wondering what combinations have worked for others that I might be able to discuss with my doc when I see him tomorrow. The valium was at 10mg and bumped up to 20mg just recently - sleep has not improved - I alternate between 3 hours one night and maybe 5 the next night. I usually fall asleep fairly quickly maybe within 30 minutes but then wake early like 2-3 am and can't get back to sleep.
Tried a small dosage of remeron (7.5mg) which seemed to help initially but then stopped working.
Tried trazadone but that made me fuzzy although I can't see that my thinking is very clear with the cocktail I am on now.
The tricyclics trash my body so I hate taking them. The SSRIs tend to be too stimulating for me and can exacerbate the insomnia so I've avoided them.
I haven't had a problem tapering off the valium in the past but that concerns me now since I have been on benzos since November of 2007 now.
Sorry for the long posting, if you've gotten this far the bottom line is if you have major depression with anxiety what combinations have worked for you. I'd like an alternative w/o any neuroleptics.
This will give me something to discuss with my doc when I see him tomorrow.
Thanks for any replies.
Posted by Phillipa on May 17, 2009, at 13:21:47
In reply to Looking for alternatives to current meds, posted by tonyz on May 17, 2009, at 12:51:04
I've always waken after four hours or five. Save some of the valium and take it then. Usually get a couple more hours sleep. Stay up very late and sleep very late. Bad I know. Phillipa so maybe split the benzos dose?
Posted by tensor on May 17, 2009, at 14:48:27
In reply to Looking for alternatives to current meds, posted by tonyz on May 17, 2009, at 12:51:04
I have recurring depression with anxiety. Have used nortrip with Remeron (15-30) and 2mg clonazepam, worked well for over a year, no problems with sleep, however, I usually take 7.5mg of zopiclone which improves my sleep.
Other combos worth considering:
reboxetine + mirtazapine
sertraline + mirtazapine
clomipramine, alone or with mirtazapine
effexor + mirtazapine
augmenting nortrip with Lamictal, lithium or even T3.As you can see I always use mirtazapine, I just can't seem to function without it, but that's me.
Good luck,
Mattias
Posted by bleauberry on May 17, 2009, at 18:58:02
In reply to Looking for alternatives to current meds, posted by tonyz on May 17, 2009, at 12:51:04
Me and someone else at another forum failed dozens of meds and also failed ECT, but found one particular med to actually start working within two weeks.
Savella.
Don't rule out Nardil or Parnate.
As for Nortriptyline, I would think adding Zoloft or Celexa to it, and replacing Seroquel with Zyprexa, would provide greater opportunities of success than what you are doing.
Posted by Phillipa on May 17, 2009, at 20:04:17
In reply to Re: Looking for alternatives to current meds » tonyz, posted by tensor on May 17, 2009, at 14:48:27
Tensor reminds me of myself with the luvox. Love Phillipa
Posted by tonyz on May 17, 2009, at 21:21:16
In reply to Re: Looking for alternatives to current meds » tensor, posted by Phillipa on May 17, 2009, at 20:04:17
This is the end of the thread.
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