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Anxiety/PTSD

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lynn67615
lynn67615

I could use some advise. I was on zoloft for 23 years when it pooped out. I tried Prozac for 8 weeks and Lexapro for 6 weeks. Both didn’t work. Venlafaxine I gave 4 weeks but side effects stopped me. I am now on nortriptyline. Was on 75 for 25 days and raised to 100 yesterday after blood test showing theraputic window. Has anyone tried the old Tricyclic antidepressant and had them work . How long dothey take to fullly kick in. Could use some encouragement 

1 like, 20 replies

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  • LadyLavender
    LadyLavender lynn67615

    Posted

    I was on imipramine for many years - it worked better than anything I have taken since. I finally had to come off them because of an irregularity in my ECG that meant I was at risk for heart problems; also the side effects - constipation and heartburn - were getting worse. I have since been on venlafaxine, which worked well but gave me abnormal liver function: citalopram, which was ok for about 3 years then just stopped working; and now am on sertraline 150mg and mirtazapine 15mg - this combo was working well until recently. I’m now worried the sertraline might be losing its effect. The old tricyclics were much more effective for depression/anxiety - even my doctor acknowledged this - but the side effects were worse. I think it’s worth trying a tricyclic and see if you can tolerate the side effects. They saved my life, and I wish I could go back on them. When I started, it took about 2 weeks for them to kick in. Good luck - I hope you find the right meds for you. 
    • lynn67615
      lynn67615 LadyLavender

      Posted

      I just moved up to 100mgs did it help with anxiety been on them 4 weeks hope it kicks in soon. Do have bad constipation and pulse rate is high. Is mirtzapam good for anxiety and sleep
    • lynn67615
      lynn67615

      Posted

      What was your dose on imipramine?
    • LadyLavender
      LadyLavender lynn67615

      Posted

      Hi Lynn -

      Yes, mirtazapine helps with anxiety and sleep - but a lot of people gain weight on it. I was also taking pregabalin for anxiety, and since coming off that have lost most of the weight I thought I gained from mirtazapine - but who knows? Maybe I'm feeling crappy now because I came off the pregabalin (though I tapered down VERY slowly).

      Re imipramine - I started on 150 or 200mg (can't remember exactly), then when I was stable (after a year or so), I gradually tapered down to a 75mg maintenance dose, which I was on for many years. I did have to take laxatives -- try Miralax (if you're in the US) or Movicol (if you're in the UK) - they're better for long-term use than something like Senokot - and drink lots of water!

      Good luck, Lynn. Hang in there - it does get better.

    • lynn67615
      lynn67615

      Posted

      Why did you go off Lyrica? Do you no longer have anxiety?
    • LadyLavender
      LadyLavender lynn67615

      Posted

      I thought my anxiety was under control, and I hate taking so many drugs. I knew the Lyrica was causing weight gain, which I don't need! I hope I don't have to go back on it, even though my anxiety is mounting now. I'm waiting to talk to my psych doctor - if he ever calls back!

    • lynn67615
      lynn67615 LadyLavender

      Posted

      I will be 68 in November and live in Vermont. I have been taking fiber pills I had laxatives. It will take a few months to fully recover. I lost one of my daughter’s 5 years ago which i’m Sure is part of the reason I have been falling apart since the zoloft stopped working a year ago. Zoloft worked beautifully for me for 23 years. Is that all you take now?
    • lynn67615
      lynn67615 LadyLavender

      Posted

      They really haven’t given me anything separate for anxiety. I now take one Klonopin .5 when I wake up,then 100mgs of nortriptyline, and 75 mgs of Trazadone to sleep at night. 
  • LadyLavender
    LadyLavender lynn67615

    Posted

    Hi Lynn -

    I'm 71, and from NY, but living in the UK for the last 33 years.  I take 150mg sertraline (Zoloft) in the morning and 15mg mirtazapine (Remeron) at night. I also take thyroxine, blood pressure pills, and esomeprazole (Nexium). Plus Laxido (Miralax) several times a week, and magnesium supplements to help me sleep.

    I am so very sorry to hear about your daughter. I cannot imagine what that must have been like for you, and it's absolutely understandable that the stress and trauma of that sort of loss would lead to major depression. I hope you have a good support system, and I wish you all the best, Lynn.

    • lynn67615
      lynn67615 LadyLavender

      Posted

      I take blood pressure and cholesterol Meds which keep everything in check, Did the lyrica help your anxiety or the zoloft.
    • LadyLavender
      LadyLavender lynn67615

      Posted

      Oh yes! I forgot the statins for cholesterol! smile

      The Lyrica helped with anxiety - the anxiety has gradually increased since I came off it. And you're right - everything slows down as we age.

    • lynn67615
      lynn67615 LadyLavender

      Posted

      What are you taking for the anxiety? Mine is still pretty bad? I’ve cut down on my blood pressure Meds because nortriptyline has made my blood pressure lower. Did it take awhile for the sertraline to settle down when you switched over. Have you tried Paxil yet.
    • LadyLavender
      LadyLavender lynn67615

      Posted

      The sertraline and mertazapine help with anxiety. I'm hoping it will settle down. It took a long time for the sertraline to kick in fully - at least 8 weeks if I remember right. I've never been prescribed Paxil. I was on citalopram (Celexa) for about 3 years - it worked well, but then just seemed to stop working, and I had an absolutely terrible time - anxiety through the roof, and the worst depressive episode I'd ever had - until the sertraline finally started working. After about 8 months it felt as if the sertraline was pooping out too - that's when the dr put me on mirtazapine as well, which helped a lot.

    • lynn67615
      lynn67615 LadyLavender

      Posted

      It takes a long time for them to fully kick in. I think age must have some bearing on this.  I have been on nortriptyline for 5 weeks tomorrow. I am very slowly getting better.It said tricyclics can take a couple of months to fully kick in. I have been cutting back my huge flower gardens which I put in when I was young. I guess I didn’t think I would ever be 68. Tomorrow I see my psychiatrist who is also my therapist. I hope this is the last of breakdown of antidepressants and this one works well. 
    • lynn67615
      lynn67615

      Posted

      I went  on Amitriptyline for a year after having a late miscarriage at 35. Then had my two daughters the last one at 40 ,  I had a breakdown when they were in primary school and was on 50mgs of zoloft which  worked beautifully for 23 years until last summer. It’s been a horrible year trying to find a new one which will work.
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