Posted by Shes_InItForTheMoney on March 12, 2012, at 23:04:18
Hello...
I just started clonidine (Catapress) for my anxiety caused by my mood swings, and in particular, to help me get a good night's sleep. I work shift work, so my sleeping schedule is all outta wack.
Now I have been on psych meds for over 20 years, and I honestly can say I have (been lucky) to try most conventional and unconventional meds.
I have read of clonidine's action on cortisol reduction, and my doc mentioned how well this med works in about 80 percent of his patients (sorry I don't know the n=) and it has been not only the best sleep aid, but general anxiety reducer I have EVER taken. After my shot at all meds out there (available in Canada) I have come to the conclusion that there are a few meds that I combine that control most of my BP2 (w/ Major Depression and Anxiety). I take .5mg of clonidine at bedtime, and .2mg during the day. Even if it makes me a bit woozy and fatigued sometimes, it REALLY seems to take the suckerpunch out of my Effexor dose, and tame some of the SRI's I am on.
Now I wanted to know, is clonidine is an alpha 1 agonist? Scott, you have been on Minipress, which I understand is an alpha 2 agonist? I am getting amazing benefits (knock on wood) from clonidine, as it seems to shut down the hyper-cortisol state I get into with dysphoric mania and major anxiety. My benzos don't even work nearly as good. I seem to be able to prevent the usual side-effects of clonidine like major depression and fatigue, as it seems to balance out my antidepressants.
And I just started Effexor augmentation, and had been suddendly, after a good period, started having SI, suicidal ideation. But once we increased to clonidine, that changed..but am still scared from it since it has been years since I had SI. I was thinking of maybe switching to Nortriptyline, but there are warnings about the fact one is an alpha agonist, the other an alpha antagonist. (I hope I have my homework straight..lol)
So, should I give the Notriptyline a shot? I appreciate your and everyone's input. I am asking you in particular because of you being on Minipress. Thanks kindly,
Jay
"Love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic and we'll change the world," ~Jack Layton 1950-2011
poster:Shes_InItForTheMoney
thread:1012935
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20120302/msgs/1012935.html