Posted by John1022 on October 11, 2003, at 14:40:34
This question is for Larry or anyone else who might now the answer.
I recently took Elavil (Amitriptyline) for mild depression. The doc prescribed it over the new SSRI's because I had a case of pre-existing tinnitus.
Elavil threw me into a very deep state of depression with extreme anxiety after about a week of taking it.
I also lost all concentration and am now constantly having songs get stuck in my head all day long and especially at night when I sleep. I can't even sit down to watch tv or read a book because I cannot concentrate whatsoever. This was NEVER a problem before I started taking the Elavil.
It has also caused me to have very vivid dreams/nightmares and has completely disturbed my sleep.
My question is this:
Can TCA's cause actual cognitive damage? Or is it just impairment? I have been off them for about 2 weeks and am still feeling terrible, although it has gotten better by the day. But the songs are still stuck in my head all day long.
My concentration is still a problem though and I have had songs stuck in my head for the two weeks I have been off it.
Should I worry about actual damage? Or is this something that will eventually go away after the drug is fully washed out of my system for another week or two as Elavil has a long half-life of 2-3 weeks?
Thanks
poster:John1022
thread:268375
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031010/msgs/268375.html