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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Maxime on March 14, 2007, at 21:52:28
Anyone been on both? What are the pros and cons of each? I tried Desipramine and I lactated. I did try Nortriptyline, but broke out in a rash. But it was a generic version, so maybe another generic wouldn't make me break out?
I need help ... BADLY.
Maxime
Posted by Phillipa on March 14, 2007, at 21:58:11
In reply to Desipramine VS Nortriptyline, posted by Maxime on March 14, 2007, at 21:52:28
Maxie isn't nortriptyline one of the meds in SLS's cocktail that have him heading toward a hopeful remission? Love Phillipa
Posted by Racer on March 14, 2007, at 23:49:11
In reply to Desipramine VS Nortriptyline, posted by Maxime on March 14, 2007, at 21:52:28
I was only on desipramine for about a week -- hypotension, although it's one I'll try again if I can figure out how. Maybe with Ritalin to sustain my BP?
Nortriptyline was my first AD, and it probably saved my life. It's noradrenergic, which might be good for you -- a lot of anorexics do better on noradrenergic medications. I did gain weight, though, but if your pdoc is willing to work with you on that, you should be able to avoid it. It was a good drug, though. When I was on it, I took it at night. These days, I would probably take it in the morning, because taking it at night disrupted my sleep.
Considering how long you've been struggling, I'd say see if you can try another generic and not break out in a rash. I just experienced that myself: tried generic fluoxetine, and broke out in a lovely rash all over my face, neck, and chest. Still, if it hadn't been on my face, I wouldn't have "bothered" my doctor about it, so I'm glad it was there.
Good luck, and take care of yourself.
Posted by Maxime on March 17, 2007, at 12:29:19
In reply to Re: Desipramine VS Nortriptyline » Maxime, posted by Racer on March 14, 2007, at 23:49:11
Thanks Racer.
What do you mean by this comment:
"I did gain weight, though, but if your pdoc is willing to work with you on that, you should be able to avoid it."And what does noradrenergic mean?
Thanks again for your input.
Maxime
How he could he help me avoid gaining weight?
> I was only on desipramine for about a week -- hypotension, although it's one I'll try again if I can figure out how. Maybe with Ritalin to sustain my BP?
>
> Nortriptyline was my first AD, and it probably saved my life. It's noradrenergic, which might be good for you -- a lot of anorexics do better on noradrenergic medications. I did gain weight, though, but if your pdoc is willing to work with you on that, you should be able to avoid it. It was a good drug, though. When I was on it, I took it at night. These days, I would probably take it in the morning, because taking it at night disrupted my sleep.
>
> Considering how long you've been struggling, I'd say see if you can try another generic and not break out in a rash. I just experienced that myself: tried generic fluoxetine, and broke out in a lovely rash all over my face, neck, and chest. Still, if it hadn't been on my face, I wouldn't have "bothered" my doctor about it, so I'm glad it was there.
>
> Good luck, and take care of yourself.
Posted by Maxime on March 17, 2007, at 12:30:55
In reply to Re: Desipramine VS Nortriptyline » Maxime, posted by Phillipa on March 14, 2007, at 21:58:11
> Maxie isn't nortriptyline one of the meds in SLS's cocktail that have him heading toward a hopeful remission? Love Phillipa
Yes, it is. Although as you know, everyone responds differently to meds.
Maxime
Posted by Racer on March 17, 2007, at 21:32:29
In reply to Re: Desipramine VS Nortriptyline » Racer, posted by Maxime on March 17, 2007, at 12:29:19
>
> And what does noradrenergic mean?Means it works by affecting norepinephrine (also known as "noradrenalin") Some studies have shown that people with AN often respond better to noradrenergic drugs than to serotinergic drugs. It's probably worth a try, if you haven't tried it before.
For me, by the way, it worked better when we added L-tryptophan. Taking both together might be worth trying.
>
> How he could he help me avoid gaining weight?There are drugs out there now that might help mitigate the weight gain from TCAs. Nortriptyline is supposed to be one of the most weight neutral drugs in the class, but I didn't find it to be weight neutral at all. Some of the drugs my pdoc has mentioned for helping with weight gain are things like Meridia, Topomax, Zelnorm, Orlistat, and there's something else he mentioned that sounded like it might be interesting. You could also try adding in a stimulant, to see if that helped.
But the bottom line about it is this: if it helps you, that's a good thing. If it helps you, any problems you have can be addressed -- and these days, doctors are more aware of the significance of side effects. Back when I was on nortriptyline, my pdoc basically told me it was my fault. Doctors aren't that cruel anymore, for the most part.
Good luck, Maxie. I hope it does turn out to be helpful for you.
Posted by Maxime on March 20, 2007, at 19:22:47
In reply to Re: Desipramine VS Nortriptyline » Maxime, posted by Racer on March 17, 2007, at 21:32:29
Thanks Racer. I think I will try it again and see if I break out into a rash.
I already take 30 mg of Adderall XR. Topomax makes me psychotic. He wouldn't give me anything to help me or prevent me from losing weight.
I wonder if I will lactate on it.
I can't believe your doctor said it was your fault. Weight gain is a common side effect with TCAs.
Hugs,
Maxime
> >
> > And what does noradrenergic mean?
>
> Means it works by affecting norepinephrine (also known as "noradrenalin") Some studies have shown that people with AN often respond better to noradrenergic drugs than to serotinergic drugs. It's probably worth a try, if you haven't tried it before.
>
> For me, by the way, it worked better when we added L-tryptophan. Taking both together might be worth trying.
>
> >
> > How he could he help me avoid gaining weight?
>
> There are drugs out there now that might help mitigate the weight gain from TCAs. Nortriptyline is supposed to be one of the most weight neutral drugs in the class, but I didn't find it to be weight neutral at all. Some of the drugs my pdoc has mentioned for helping with weight gain are things like Meridia, Topomax, Zelnorm, Orlistat, and there's something else he mentioned that sounded like it might be interesting. You could also try adding in a stimulant, to see if that helped.
>
> But the bottom line about it is this: if it helps you, that's a good thing. If it helps you, any problems you have can be addressed -- and these days, doctors are more aware of the significance of side effects. Back when I was on nortriptyline, my pdoc basically told me it was my fault. Doctors aren't that cruel anymore, for the most part.
>
> Good luck, Maxie. I hope it does turn out to be helpful for you.
This is the end of the thread.
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