Tapering off of nortriptyline
Posted , 17 users are following.
I started taking nortriptyline 7.5 weeks ago for insomnia and migraines. Started at 10 mg for two weeks and then to 25mg for four. Had a lot of side effects - blurry vision, constant migraine, dry mouth, voice is very groggy. Doctor and I agreed that I should come off of it. She suggested that I drop to 10mg for five days and then stop. I thought it was too fast so I decreased to 20 mg for seven days and am not taking 17mg for the past five days. I’m not feeling well - skin burning in arms and hands, angry, hot/cold, anxious and a bit nauseous. Tapering hasn’t seemed to keep withdrawal symptoms at bay.
Is anyone else coming off of nortriptyline or has experience?
0 likes, 29 replies
Juliagebert907 heather24624
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heather24624 Juliagebert907
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I had dropped down to 17mg this past Wednesday . I’m wondering if I should go back to 20mg and stay there for a while?
Juliagebert907 heather24624
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heather24624 Juliagebert907
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This is all new to me. I’ve never had any type of withdrawal before December 2017. My neurologist had me on zyprexa for one month and took me off of 2.5 mg c/t and my body rebelled. That’s how I ended up on nortriptyline in January to help with severe insomnia and anxiety. She also put me on klonopin for the same reason. My plan was to stay on klonopin while I tapered off of nortriptyline and then taper off of klonopin. All of this to try to treat my chronic migraines
Juliagebert907 heather24624
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heather24624 Juliagebert907
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Thank you! One good thing that's coming from lowering my dose is that my tinnitus is mainly gone. I did have it almost 24/7 but now it's just for short periods a couple of times a day. Progress!
Joyous18 heather24624
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any advice would be helpful
js
arj50436 Joyous18
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I went down from 20 mg to 10 mg for 6 weeks before stopping completely. My neurologist disappeared. I don't know what happened to so I did it on my own (my doctor yelled at me yesterday but I did do a lot of research). If possible, you should check with you neurologist - they may be able to give you something to help with the withdrawal.
Joyous18 heather24624
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js
lis10127 heather24624
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Andre777 lis10127
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Hi. I was on 37mg for 2 years which I took for lower back pain.
I started weaning off In August and I'm now (November) on 10mg. It's getting really difficult and the side-effects are getting really bad including flu symptons, insomnia, poor sleep, busy dreams and constantly feeling tired. Apparently the worst side-effects are when reaching 10mg or less.
No one ever warned me how bad this drug is! It was so easy to start taking it but I never expected it to be so hard to get off it! I probably have another 3 months to go before I am completely free of this drug. I'm now using small amounts of Zopiclone to fight the insomnia. However I am trying to avoid taking Zopiclone every night to prevent getting addicted to that medicine.
Joyous18 heather24624
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arj50436 heather24624
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It's been quite a few weeks since I quit. I do see more manageable headaches but my GERD is completely gone. I've had other improvements in my health too, although no weight loss. I'm happy with the outcome.
Rrb5965 heather24624
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I have been taking 50Mg Nortriptyline for my migraines for approx 24 yrs. I am starting to wean off for multiple reasons. My neurologist of 27 yrs has retired so i had to go to my Primary. She suggested i start by dropping down to 25Mg for 2 weeks and if all goes well we will just keep splitting it down. Well this is my third day on my 25Mg and im starting to feel achy with a headache. Flu like symptoms. Wondering if half is too much too fast?!?! Will try to bear it thru the weekend and see how i feel on Monday i guess. Good luck to everyone going this!!
lis10127 Rrb5965
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if you have been taking it for 24 yrs then yes i would say that is far too brutal a dose to cut to and i am surprised by the advice you were given. slowly slowly is the best policy, i would drop by 5 mg to 45mg for 2 weeks and carry on like that but spend longer on a dose the lower you drop. Don't listen to anyone who tells you otherwise as they clearly have not had to withdraw from a drug if they are telling you to drop that quickly. GOOD LUCK and be kind to yourself, x
Rrb5965 lis10127
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Thank you so much for your advice and kind words. Im calling her on Monday.