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Original poster

Anyone tried old style tricyclic meds?

128 replies

Sunnyscot80 · 02/04/2022 08:25

Hi all,

After a very long battle with postnatal depression which manifests as severe anxiety, including derealization, nocturnal panic attacks, nightmare, insomnia and horrific morning anxiety, my psych has now recommended I try a tricyclic med.

Ive tried pretty much all the ssri's (setraline, mirtazapine and lexapro) which just make the aggitation worse, or make me very sick. I also tried venlafaxine which was OK but I felt off my face (in an illegal drug kind of way!).

I'm desperate and feel theres not much left for me. I hate this anxiety. And the nocturnal panic attacks / waves of adrenaline are just the worst.

I was wondering if anyone has had similar symptoms and had any luck with tricyclics? I'd maybe try venlafaxine again (reluctantly) to see if the 'off my chops' feeling passed.

There was also talk of valdoxan but its hard to get here in Scotland on the NHS. Any advice appreciated 🙏❤️

OP posts:
Original poster
Sunnyscot80 · 03/04/2022 23:03

@Jemimapuddleduk hi, I had read a lot of positive reviews about that med on here but when I Google it, it seemed like it was discontinued. Obviously not thought if you're taking it! Did it increase anxiety or cause any 'activation' at the beginning? Glad you've found something that is helpful. X

OP posts:
Realitea · 03/04/2022 23:16

Amitriptyline works for me. No horrible side effects even from the first dose. I’ve been on it for years now. Ssri’s make me so ill
Has the doctor mentioned gabapentin?

Original poster
Sunnyscot80 · 03/04/2022 23:29

@Realitea does the amitriptyline help with anxiety? They have mentioned pregabalin, but out of all the meds, that's the one I'm really not up for taking. I've seen someone really, really struggle to get off it and it gave her horrendous side effects.

OP posts:
Realitea · 03/04/2022 23:48

Yes anxiety was what I had/have. It was very bad, I couldn’t even leave the house. I had GAD.
I don’t know if it was psychological but after the first couple of days I felt back to my normal self.
I also used the headspace app which I found amazing. They have an anxiety section which helped so much. I also made some changes in my life. I really think amitriptyline was what gave me the boost though.
The only thing is - don’t drink alcohol with it or you’ll feel pretty rough!

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 03/04/2022 23:57

I had the same OP, the agitation/anxiety was awful, I still remember it 20 years on.

Paroxetin worked miracles for me, when I came off it I got a pill cutter and cut a tiny bit off every month and when when I was down to my last 5mg I switched to liquid to make it easier to come off. Slowly slowly is key. I think I took 6 months or so to come off it.

dahliaaa · 04/04/2022 00:05

@SouperNoodle I've also taken clomipramine over a long time (struggled with SSRIs.) What dose do you take ?

dahliaaa · 04/04/2022 00:08

Ps. Interested to see the suggestion here that clomipramine no longer available in the US. Does anyone know why?
It's interesting to see tricyclics discussed on Mumsnet - doesn't happen very often

TrashyPanda · 04/04/2022 00:15

I take amitriptilene (50mg) for anxiety plus Prozac (20 mg) for depression.

thesootherfairy · 04/04/2022 00:54

Have a look at vortioxetine. It's a new atypical antidepressant. It's not an ssri but a multimodal antidepressant.

I tried sertraline which made me feel off my face. Just like coming up on drugs. Horrible sweaty heart racing. Ugh.

Tried Nortriptyline which is a tricyclic but had anaphylaxis. Made me feel so so agitated.

Tried fluoxetine which also made me feel off my face and very anxious agitated and scared.

I had given up. Didn't want to try anything else. Psychiatrist wasn't actually recommending anything else at first. Then he suggested as last ditch attempt to try vortioxetine.

I left it several months but eventually things were so bad I had to do something.

Tried it and it works great. I didn't really have any side effects at all. Started on a small 5mg dose. Upped to 10mg which is standard dose now. And honestly it is great.

I was expecting it to work for depression but it's also worked for anxiety. I was so anxious before. All gone. Feel relaxed and happy.

I've seen other people on MN over the years talk about ADs helping them feel like themselves. And vortioxetine has done that for me.

I would try that rather than going back to one which made you feel off your face.

My GP told me that in the not too distant future they'll be able to match medication to people via blood tests. At the moment it's trial and error. That's why some people think some ADs are fantastic and others think the same ones are terrible. Because they're not a match for our particular physiology.

I had totally given up on ADs. And was about to give up on myself. Hang in there OP im sure there's is one out there for you.

caringcarer · 04/04/2022 01:44

I have been given Nortriptyline 30mg which is anti depressant but I have been prescribed it for arthritis back pain at a low dose. It relaxes muscles too apparently which helps my back. I have weird dreams when taking it but it helps me sleep too.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 04/04/2022 02:05

Have you tried betablockers before they went straight onto the antidepressants? They work wonderfully for DP where the others had awful side effects.

SouperNoodle · 04/04/2022 05:23

[quote dahliaaa]@SouperNoodle I've also taken clomipramine over a long time (struggled with SSRIs.) What dose do you take ? [/quote]
I was on 100 but have come down to 25 and it works well for me. I have a feeling I may go up and down in dosage throughout the years but I'm ok with that.

Original poster
Sunnyscot80 · 04/04/2022 07:30

Gosh, so many replies. Thank you all. So kind of you to get back in touch.

Yesterday was not a great day. I tried going a (country) walk alone that took me quite far from home. I struggle with derealization, at all times.
I go out on my own. But if i find myself quite isolated without a quick exit or way home I get very scared. I had a massive panic attack and felt awful for the rest of the day. Ive jusf woken up from a night of crazy dreams and adrenaline rushes /panic in my sleep. I wonder if anyone on here has experienced those? I think it's part of GAD.

OP posts:
Gingernaut · 04/04/2022 07:36

I was on lofepramine for 18 years before my ADHD diagnosis.

Dry mouth, constant thirst and severe constipation, which has left me with lasting issues including a rectocele.

Original poster
Sunnyscot80 · 04/04/2022 07:36

@thesootherfairy I felt jusf like that on ssri's. Off my chops!

Ive actually had one of those drugs tests done privately(cost a fortune) . It told me I have liver enzymes that mean I can't metabolise ssri's. Still the doctors put me on them! The NHS docs I saw didn't buy in to the generic test. And it told me venlafaxine would be a good choice - but I just felt off my face like I was on illegal drugs..

My psych did mention vortioxetine. I've never read much about it helping GAd/derealization or panic. Great to hear it helped you feel yourself again. It didn't increase anxiety at all then? How was your sleep on it? I feel like giving up on it all today.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sunnyscot80 · 04/04/2022 07:38

That was supposed to read genetic test, excuse the typos.

OP posts:
dahliaaa · 04/04/2022 07:54

@SouperNoodle that's the same dose as me (25mg)

TrashyPanda · 04/04/2022 07:59

I had several years coping on about 4 hours sleep a night.
Thought it was due to menopause!
Amitriptilene really helps and now I sleep a minimum of 6 hours. Can easily be 10.
I listen to audiobooks when out walking, before I go to sleep. Really helps with ntrusive thoughts

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 04/04/2022 08:15

My GP told me that in the not too distant future they'll be able to match medication to people via blood tests
A psychiatrist told me that 20 years ago,I thought they'd have done it by now, it would make things easier wouldn't it?

Original poster
Sunnyscot80 · 04/04/2022 10:34

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor you can have this genetic test done privately. I did it. Cost me loads and hasn't really helped my situation tbh!

OP posts:
HooplaTrapeze · 04/04/2022 11:01

@Gingernaut can I ask if you adhd medication delay with the depressive/manic symptoms?

I'm currently on sertraline 100mg but awaiting nhs adhd assessment....

Jemimapuddleduk · 04/04/2022 12:19

@Sunnyscot80 hi no increase in anxiety or side effects at the start apart from very dry mouth. I tried ssri’s to start with I felt like I was off my head on speed. Used to enjoy feeling like that back in the day but absolutely no fun when caring for little ones and it made me even more jumpy and anxious and I was gurning which is not a good look. I really hope you get sorted.
Dosulepin is defo still around as I get a prescription every couple of months.

Thighdentitycrisis · 04/04/2022 12:30

I’m on 100mg imipramine and have been on it for about 20 years! I’ve had a couple of times off it, but it’s my go to and I know it suits me

I tried Prozac first that made me really agitated and paranoid

Then imipramine - dry mouth at first but don’t get that any more. The major side effect for me is chronic constipation

About 5 years ago GP persuaded me to try SSRI’s and STNI again

Mirtrazipine - couldn’t stop eating

Sertraline - terrible anxiety, never got better

I’ve decided now I know what suits me and it’s not SSRI s

Thighdentitycrisis · 04/04/2022 12:36

Sorry STNI should be SSRNI!?

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 04/04/2022 12:47

Imipramine just sent me crazy. Absolutely batshit.