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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by enjay on September 30, 2004, at 4:10:27
Anybody had any success in using antihistamines for low level day time anxiety ?
Thanks
Enjay
Posted by Sad Panda on September 30, 2004, at 10:38:44
In reply to Antihistamines, posted by enjay on September 30, 2004, at 4:10:27
Which one were you thinking of?
Have you tried a TCA? They are antihistamines as are most antipsychotics.
Cheers,
Paul.
Posted by enjay on October 1, 2004, at 3:25:52
In reply to Re: Antihistamines » enjay, posted by Sad Panda on September 30, 2004, at 10:38:44
Thanks for the suggestion re the TCA.
Is their any one in particular that is good for anxiety and isn't too sedating or anticholergenic?
As for antihistamines I had no specific one in mind as I had just come across something about them being used for that purpose, so was seeking others experience with them.
regards
Enjay
Posted by Sad Panda on October 1, 2004, at 5:16:14
In reply to Re: Antihistamines, posted by enjay on October 1, 2004, at 3:25:52
Nortriptyline is a very good TCA to try if you have never taken one before, it's also very good when combined with an SSRI. The TCA that is the most anxiolytic with the least sedation is Clomipramine.
Cheers,
Paul.
Posted by Jasmineneroli on October 1, 2004, at 23:07:05
In reply to Re: Antihistamines » enjay, posted by Sad Panda on October 1, 2004, at 5:16:14
Hello: As an anxiety sufferer I've never found any anti-histamine to be anxiolytic. However, some of the "older" type anti-histamines, like Benadryl, are sedating. (Look for ones that list "drowsiness" as a side-effect).So they might make someone with very mild anxiety feel calm, due to sedation.
I wouldn't recommend taking them all the time though. If you have chronic anxiety, there are more effective drugs. Lots of them,like:
Clonazepam (or other benzo's)
Buspar
TCA's
RIMA's
SSRI's
SNRI'sGood luck!
Jas
Posted by enjay on October 2, 2004, at 2:28:29
In reply to Re: Antihistamines » enjay, posted by Sad Panda on October 1, 2004, at 5:16:14
Thanks Paul for your advice on TCAs
Given that I'm after a daytime anxiety solution with as little as possible sedation ( and related s/e ) and won't be combining with a SSRI, is their some reason why you suggest Nortriptyline for a first time user.
Thank you also Jas for your advice. I have tried
most of what you suggest except Klonopin which I will try once I've exhausted other options.
Posted by Sad Panda on October 2, 2004, at 11:43:59
In reply to Re: Antihistamines, posted by enjay on October 2, 2004, at 2:28:29
> is their some reason why you suggest Nortriptyline for a first time user.
>Nortiptyline is a good norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, has alot less side effects than most of the other TCA's & has a great record of being an effective antidepressant.
Cheers,
Paul.
Posted by enjay on October 2, 2004, at 18:12:25
In reply to Re: Antihistamines » enjay, posted by Sad Panda on October 2, 2004, at 11:43:59
Thanks again for your advice.
I have read on this board that getting the Nortriptyline dose right is something of an art form. Is this still the case if you're primarily after the anxiolytic effect ? Also how soon could you expect some sort of anxiolytic benefit ?
regards
Enjay
Posted by Sad Panda on October 3, 2004, at 10:31:59
In reply to Re: Antihistamines, posted by enjay on October 2, 2004, at 18:12:25
> Thanks again for your advice.
> I have read on this board that getting the Nortriptyline dose right is something of an art form. Is this still the case if you're primarily after the anxiolytic effect ? Also how soon could you expect some sort of anxiolytic benefit ?
> regards
> Enjay
>
>It's not that it's tricky, it's really the opposite. The majority of people get antidepressant benefit when the blood levels are in the 50 to 150 ng/ml range. Other TCA's are a more vague 50 to 300 & recommended blood levels of SSRI's are non-exsistant. Once you get up to a reasonable doseage, you can get a blood test to see where you are. I was taking 125mg which was giving me a plasma level of 75ng/ml & felt good anxiety relief. Personally, I like the anxiety releif from TCA's much better than what I could ever get from Benzos, but everyone is different.
Cheers,
Paul.
Posted by enjay on October 3, 2004, at 13:12:04
In reply to Re: Antihistamines, posted by Sad Panda on October 3, 2004, at 10:31:59
Thanks yet again. More questions ( sorry ):
-what is the name of the blood test you mention ?
-is the dosing once a day or divided ?
-why do you prefer the TCA anxiolytic effect to
that of benzos ?
regards
Enjay
Posted by Sad Panda on October 4, 2004, at 4:28:35
In reply to Re: Antihistamines, posted by enjay on October 3, 2004, at 13:12:04
> Thanks yet again. More questions ( sorry ):
> -what is the name of the blood test you mention ?
> -is the dosing once a day or divided ?
> -why do you prefer the TCA anxiolytic effect to
> that of benzos ?
> regards
> Enjay
>
>No need to apologize, I am very happy to answer. :)
I find that benzos are depressing & tiring. The blood test is a Nortriptyline Plasma Level. Doseage is once a day, but you can take it twice a day when you start.
Cheers,
Paul.
Posted by enjay on October 5, 2004, at 13:19:02
In reply to Re: Antihistamines, posted by Sad Panda on October 4, 2004, at 4:28:35
Thank you Paul for all your help.
It is much appreciated.
I will let you know how I get on.
regards
Enjay
This is the end of the thread.
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