Currently on low dose Nortriptyline (10mg) but not sure if that's the med for me

Trampeltier · Nov 09, 2020 at 06:20 PM

A few days ago I added 10mg of Nortriptyline to my present 7.5 mg of Escitalopram to help with IBS, Anxiety and Depression. I figured my target dose of the Nortriptyline would probably be 25 mg, but right now I can hardly handle 10 mg: It makes me feel lethargic, sedated and drowsy. I sleep 12 hours / day. I feel kinda spaced out in the head, somewhat slow and forgetful in the head.

On the plus side: It enhances my appetite and that is great! It gives me good sleep! It relaxes my muscles. It also seems to diminish my restless legs.

Will those negative side effects diminish? I want to try 25 mg, but I am afraid of even more sedation and sleepiness. Do 10 mgs seem like a ridiculously low dose? I am worried about sedation! Will it become more sedating when I get past 10 mg...?

I forgot to mention it: very vivid dreams on Nortriptyline!

EDIT: Last night was strange: my esophagus and stomach was sore and kinda "burning", I had bouts of hot flashes and dry mouth in the morning. O_o

But otherwise I feel quite motivated... kinda

Will my teeth rot away due to dry mouth?

I've been thinking about trying Aripiprazole ("Abilify"), in case Nortriptyline won't work

Yaowen · Nov 10, 2020 at 12:44 PM

Dear Trumpeltier,

Since I do not have personal experience with Nortriptyline, I cannot really offer you anything meaningful. I do hope that it proves helpful to you with a minimum of unpleasant side effects!

Sincerely yours, Yao Wen

Trampeltier · 09:14 PM

Possible trigger:

Today's poop was really hard to pass... O_o

Trampeltier · Nov 11, 2020 at 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yaowen

Dear Trumpeltier,

Since I do not have personal experience with Nortriptyline, I cannot really offer you anything meaningful. I do hope that it proves helpful to you with a minimum of unpleasant side effects!

Sincerely yours, Yao Wen

Liebe Yao Wen,

Thank you for your warm words

WastingAsparagus · Nov 12, 2020 at 10:14 AM

Hi,

I was on nortriptyline for a time several years ago. I know it's a tricyclic antidepressant. I remember being on a pretty high dose of it, but it caused some nasty side effects for me. Can you talk to your doctor about the side effects? Also, Abilify is an antipsychotic. I know it may have effects on depression. Generally, I think Abilify is used in conjunction with an antidepressant. But I think you ought to discuss the side effects with the doctor, and then maybe he/she can recommend the next course of action.

Trampeltier · Nov 12, 2020 at 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WastingAsparagus

Hi,

I was on nortriptyline for a time several years ago. I know it's a tricyclic antidepressant. I remember being on a pretty high dose of it, but it caused some nasty side effects for me. Can you talk to your doctor about the side effects? Also, Abilify is an antipsychotic. I know it may have effects on depression. Generally, I think Abilify is used in conjunction with an antidepressant. But I think you ought to discuss the side effects with the doctor, and then maybe he/she can recommend the next course of action.

What side effects did you have?

I suspect that I might be a poor metabolizer at 2D6... would explain why I react that harsh at only 10mg.

Aripiprazole ("Abilify") is pro-dopaminergic at low dosages....

WastingAsparagus · Nov 13, 2020 at 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trumpeltier

What side effects did you have?

I suspect that I might be a poor metabolizer at 2D6... would explain why I react that harsh at only 10mg.

Aripiprazole ("Abilify") is pro-dopaminergic at low dosages....

Yeah, so I had lightheadedness upon standing.

Also, it caused a long QTc interval in my heart, which was not good either.

Also, yeah, I've also had Abilify before. It worked for a long time for me, but now I'm switching to a different antipsychotic.

I don't know if I'd combine nortriptyline with Abilify though -- of course, run it by the doctor.

Have you tried newer drugs for depression such as Effexor (venlafaxine)? It is an SNRI. It also has effects on dopamine if you take a high dose of it. I have been on a combination of venlafaxine and mirtazapine which seems to work very well for depression.

All of this is speculation, but maybe it will help you.

Trampeltier · Nov 13, 2020 at 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WastingAsparagus

Yeah, so I had lightheadedness upon standing.

Also, it caused a long QTc interval in my heart, which was not good either.

Also, yeah, I've also had Abilify before. It worked for a long time for me, but now I'm switching to a different antipsychotic.

I don't know if I'd combine nortriptyline with Abilify though -- of course, run it by the doctor.

Have you tried newer drugs for depression such as Effexor (venlafaxine)? It is an SNRI. It also has effects on dopamine if you take a high dose of it. I have been on a combination of venlafaxine and mirtazapine which seems to work very well for depression.

All of this is speculation, but maybe it will help you.

Did you also had some kind of "spaced out" feeling?

I would combine Escitalopram with Abilify

I will stay on 10mg Nortriptyline for some time to fully test it.

I didn't try Effexor. Its short half life worries me.

I've been on a low dose of Mirtazapin, but I did get RLS from it.

WastingAsparagus · Nov 14, 2020 at 08:07 PM

Not sure I remember a "spaced out" feeling on the nortriptyline. I was on it for only a short period of time.

*Beth* · Nov 15, 2020 at 02:49 PM

I'm reluctant to knock Nortriptyline because I'm sure it's helpful for some people.

That said, my experience with it (years ago) was that it's a very heavy hitter. For me, it had all the negative side effects that some of the older medications had. Zombie-like tiredness and emotional flatness, severe constipation, spaciness, an unbalanced feeling, especially when standing or moving...side effects like that. I'm not positive about this, but I think N. can cause heartburn.

Trampeltier · Nov 16, 2020 at 01:46 PM

Increased to 15mg of Nortriptyline.

So far: Bouts of Dysphoria, hot flashes and restlessness. Motivational spikes...

Some soft poop today... no diarrhea, but something in-between normal poop and diarrhea.

Trampeltier · Nov 17, 2020 at 05:02 PM

I would like to continue my Nortriptyline trial, BUT it seems that I am showing some sort of dental reaction to it. Not sure if it's NORTRITYPLINE and if so, whether it's the anticholinergic properties or some other intrinsic property of Nortriptyline. I will make photos and show them to you. Something seems to fu€k up my enamel and I suspect NORT... also my other teeth start to show signs or problems (pain sensitivity, small darkish dots). It's a shame, because NORT is an interesting drug, but I cannot let my teeth go to waste O_O

I have an appointment at university hospital @ DENTIST / DENTAL SPECIALIST to evaluate the problem! It concerns me greatly!

That's why I am thinking about alternatives ;=)

Trampeltier · Nov 17, 2020 at 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BethRags

I'm reluctant to knock Nortriptyline because I'm sure it's helpful for some people.

My thoughts exactly!

Quote:

Originally Posted by BethRags

Zombie-like tiredness, spaciness, an unbalanced feeling, especially when standing or moving...side effects like that. I'm not positive about this, but I think N. can cause heartburn.

I know what you mean

I also had some sort of burn, but might have been the esophagus
and not the heart.... not sure about it.

Trampeltier · Nov 17, 2020 at 05:29 PM

new side effect... some "numb" tingling of my face and jaw. A paraesthetic feeling.

Also throat pain and sore throat since starting Nortriptyline.

Trampeltier · Dec 09, 2020 at 10:46 AM

I upped to 25mg. My anxiety and agitation is definitely up. Feeling edgy and jumpy...

Weight has gone down. Shakiness and tremor has gone up.

Motivation has gone up. Wastefulness has gone up.

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Currently on low dose Nortriptyline (10mg) but not sure if that's the med for me

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Yaowen Grand Magnate Member Since Jan 2020 Location: USA Posts: 3,618 (SuperPoster!) 4 6,475 hugs given	Nov 10, 2020 at 12:44 PM #2 Dear Trumpeltier, Since I do not have personal experience with Nortriptyline, I cannot really offer you anything meaningful. I do hope that it proves helpful to you with a minimum of unpleasant side effects! Sincerely yours, Yao Wen
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Trampeltier Junior Member Member Since Nov 2020 Location: Germany Posts: 11 3 6 hugs given	Nov 11, 2020 at 04:43 PM #3 Possible trigger: Today's poop was really hard to pass... O_o Last edited by CANDC; Nov 11, 2020 at 09:14 PM.. Reason: Add trigger icon
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WastingAsparagus Student of Life Member Since Mar 2014 Location: South America Posts: 4,658 10 2,911 hugs given	Nov 14, 2020 at 08:07 PM #9 Not sure I remember a "spaced out" feeling on the nortriptyline. I was on it for only a short period of time. __________________ "Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it!”
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Trampeltier Junior Member Member Since Nov 2020 Location: Germany Posts: 11 3 6 hugs given	Nov 16, 2020 at 01:46 PM #11 Increased to 15mg of Nortriptyline. So far: Bouts of Dysphoria, hot flashes and restlessness. Motivational spikes... Some soft poop today... no diarrhea, but something in-between normal poop and diarrhea.
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Trampeltier Junior Member Member Since Nov 2020 Location: Germany Posts: 11 3 6 hugs given	Nov 17, 2020 at 05:29 PM #14 new side effect... some "numb" tingling of my face and jaw. A paraesthetic feeling. Also throat pain and sore throat since starting Nortriptyline.
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Trampeltier Junior Member Member Since Nov 2020 Location: Germany Posts: 11 3 6 hugs given	Dec 09, 2020 at 10:46 AM #15 I upped to 25mg. My anxiety and agitation is definitely up. Feeling edgy and jumpy... Weight has gone down. Shakiness and tremor has gone up. Motivation has gone up. Wastefulness has gone up.
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