Posted by ChrisK on January 24, 2001, at 5:58:32
In reply to Am near the end of my rope!, posted by shelby on January 23, 2001, at 21:40:09
My father was taking Elavil for most of his life and I found that when SSRI's never helped me that I also reacted to TCA's. My pdoc talked me into Nortriptyline and I really haven't had any problems with it.
If I have problems with carb cravings I think it comes from the Zyprexa I take.
> I am going to my psych. doctor on Monday and wanted to post this question in the hopes I will get some answers - hopefully.
>
> My question is - is there another tricyclic that is similar to elavil in no problems with sleeping but that gets my away from the carbohydrate cravings. As I go up in dose (winter time) so too, do my cravings.
>
> I have been on anti-depressents for 10 years approx. I started out and am currently on elavil. Over the years, I have tried to get off meds but crash within a week. I have also tried the SSRI's (Effexor, Paxil, Prozac, Serzone, Desyrel, Zoloft, Wellbutrin) with no great results (insomnia, agitation, aggressiveness, felt like a wall was around me). I have started at low doses and slowly working my way up. I have also given these drugs a good amount of time (6-8 weeks give or take a week). I have also tried St. John's Wort and trytophin. They did not work for depression either.
>
> It seems like the older tricyclics work for me due to their "dirty blanket" abilities (not just targeting seretonin, norepinephrine or dopamine).
>
> I have tried doxepin (even worse carbo cravings!), trimipramine, ludiomil (really scary side effect - felt like I was going to have a seizure). These three were taken along with elavil so the side effect profile would be exacerbated (sp?). I have also tried imipramine by itself years ago but had night sweats, bad dreams and insomnia.
>
> I need a calming anti-depressent. Is there such a one that is similar to elavil? Sorry for the long post. I have read the archives also trying to find info that would pertain to me.
>
> Thanks
poster:ChrisK
thread:52366
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010122/msgs/52384.html