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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by rovers95 on August 14, 2019, at 6:32:48
Okay so I've been taking amitriptyline for over 3 weeks at at least 75mg and nearly 2 weeks at 100mg.
Firstly it definitely has some positive benefits on my mood. Last week I was definitely feeling better, but I went out on a drinking binge at the weekend and seem to have gone backwards this week.
So 3 weeks in I still have lulls in mood, some racing thoughts, ringing in ears, retraction of extremities encountering stress and low stress tolerance. I am however definitely more motivated generally (albeit not back to my normal self).
At what stage do I accept that I'm only a partial responder and either (a) increase the dose or (b) augment with something else or (c) switch meds ? I don't want to do c I don't think.
Posted by rovers95 on August 14, 2019, at 13:34:56
In reply to How long to give a tricyclic (amitriptyline)??, posted by rovers95 on August 14, 2019, at 6:32:48
> Okay so I've been taking amitriptyline for over 3 weeks at at least 75mg and nearly 2 weeks at 100mg.
>
> Firstly it definitely has some positive benefits on my mood. Last week I was definitely feeling better, but I went out on a drinking binge at the weekend and seem to have gone backwards this week.
>
> So 3 weeks in I still have lulls in mood, some racing thoughts, ringing in ears, retraction of extremities encountering stress and low stress tolerance. I am however definitely more motivated generally (albeit not back to my normal self).
>
> At what stage do I accept that I'm only a partial responder and either (a) increase the dose or (b) augment with something else or (c) switch meds ? I don't want to do c I don't think.Actually I've felt like s**t at moments today - think it's attributable to the after effects of alcohol again! When I drink heavily on the weekend I feel it for the next week...need to give up.
Posted by linkadge on August 14, 2019, at 13:48:33
In reply to How long to give a tricyclic (amitriptyline)??, posted by rovers95 on August 14, 2019, at 6:32:48
I would say that (likely) 6 weeks at any dose is a decent time to assess the effects of a med.
3 weeks is a good indication, but possibly not long enough to get a good idea.
The drinking binges may be a sign of a different imbalance that needs to be addressed. Perhaps augmentation with a med that increases gaba may help both depression and the desire to binge.
Have you ever taken, say, gabapentin or lyrica?
Linkadge
Posted by rovers95 on August 14, 2019, at 14:02:52
In reply to Re: How long to give a tricyclic (amitriptyline)??, posted by linkadge on August 14, 2019, at 13:48:33
> I would say that (likely) 6 weeks at any dose is a decent time to assess the effects of a med.
>
> 3 weeks is a good indication, but possibly not long enough to get a good idea.
>
> The drinking binges may be a sign of a different imbalance that needs to be addressed. Perhaps augmentation with a med that increases gaba may help both depression and the desire to binge.
>
> Have you ever taken, say, gabapentin or lyrica?
>
> Linkadge
>
>
>
>Thanks Linkadge, tbh I just binge drink because all my mates do on a Saturday night out. It's more a case of fitting in. But it's not for me anymore I don't think. I don't drink casually any other time. I think alcohol might actually make me manic/hypomanic...and then I crash hard.
Today I'm having flashes of feeling okay, followed by some really low moments. Amitriptyline has definitely been working for me...fingers crossed this is a temporary setback.
Posted by linkadge on August 14, 2019, at 16:05:20
In reply to Re: How long to give a tricyclic (amitriptyline)?? » linkadge, posted by rovers95 on August 14, 2019, at 14:02:52
Yeah, if you're finding it hard to cutback it may be an indication that (perhaps) gaba is low. Listen to your patterns. Don't be afraid to mention it to your doctor if it is a problem.
Linkadge
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