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I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder or and depression 15 years ago.

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silvia63355
silvia63355

I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and depression 15 years ago.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • silvia63355
    silvia63355

    Posted

     After trying different antidepressants that had made my condition worse, I have decided to try a different kind. I started    Amitriptyline two weeks ago. I do not feel well on this medication.  I get rapid heart rate, fear,  general ill feeling, and cannot sleep at night. The doctor said it's supposed to help me sleep, but it does the opposite, it keeps me up.  Anyone have the opposite effect on this medication? Please help because I do not know what to do anymore.....,  

    • johnkov
      johnkov silvia63355

      Posted

      Hi, in order to write a more constructive answer, I would need to know which drugs did you take in the past. Amitriptyline is a good antidepressant, but it is indeed different to the majority of commonly used medications - SSRIs and SNRIs. It belongs to an older group of antidepressants, which are equally effective (or - as some research papers suggest - superior to SSRIs), but which also produce more side effects. Now, two weeks is certainly not enough time to assess whether the medication is good for you. I would recommend taking it for at least six weeks before making a decision whether to stay on it or not. The rapid heart rate and insomnia, which you experience, result from the activation of noradrenaline receptors - these are the signs which confirm that the drug works. The thing is - while it has already started affecting your noradrenaline levels (which helps with motivation and focus in depressed patients), it didn't have enough time to affect serotonin (responsible for your mood). This pattern is quite typical for tricyclic antidepressants, noradrenaline always comes first. The wise thing to do at this point would be to promise yourself that you are going to stay strong and that you will survive the initial six weeks even if they were difficult. Give amitriptyline (and yourself!) a chance.

    • dee06451
      dee06451 silvia63355

      Posted

      Hi Silvia , there is a group on this page that discusses Amitriptyline, if you look where it says " Groups in Mental Health " it is on that list. I hope this helps you to get whatever answers you need. Take care.

  • racheld1975
    racheld1975 silvia63355

    Posted

    If you can stand it, give it a month to 6 weeks to get into your system and start working properly.  I was on Amitriptyline with clonazepam and escitalopram and it was the best I ever felt.  Make sure you talk to your doctor about all concerns and maybe they can add another medication or adjust your dosage or maybe change you altogether. What works for one will not work for all.  The only side effect I had from the amitriptyline was dry mouth.  I took it around dinner time with the clonazepam because they would make me tired and I would have a hard time waking in the morning if I took them too late in the evening. The rapid heart rate and other symptoms you described could just be your anxiety and not the medication.  I wish you the best of luck.
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