bluelikejazz Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 So we have added mirtazapine to the scrapheap, and started amitrptyline 10mg for a week, and then 20mg. I asked what to do after that and she said to go to my gp, so i'm assuming pdoc is sending her a letter telling her what to do, and then I see pdoc in a month. She did say that it will probably take at least 70mgs for it to work. I don't know if she is just titrating me slowly because I had really bad side effects to other meds but she also mentioned my heart. I've had some palpitations/blackouts before and she mentioned cardiotoxicity and wanted me to get an ecg, but I told her my cardiologist has checked it out and there's nothing dangerous going on, and she dropped it. so questions: 1) whats the deal with my heart? Is there an actual risk of me going into AF? i'm only 20. 2) is she likely to jump up faster after two weeks, or will I have to continue feeling this awful for 7 weeks + the 6-8 weeks for it to work? I know i'm whinging, but it's hard enough for me to survive an hour at a time let alone for months without relief. 3) is there less of a risk for increased suicidal ideation with TCAs than SSRIs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluelikejazz Posted March 28, 2009 Author Share Posted March 28, 2009 also, isn't this supposed to make me sleepy? Am I just not on enough? I'm out of temaz, and didn't ask for more because I didn't think i'd need it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mindful Momma Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 also, isn't this supposed to make me sleepy? Am I just not on enough? I'm out of temaz, and didn't ask for more because I didn't think i'd need it. i am not sure i can help with the other questions you asked about this med but i can tell you that i was on it for about 4-5 months. my neurologist put me on it to control headaches and we got up to about 50mg at night. i noticed that it did have some weight gain (a few lbs nothing substantial) and it did make me drowsy but not drowsy enough to actually put me to sleep. i hope you get some relief soon! i've never personally been on a TCA as an antidepressant we only used it as a headache suppressant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scatty Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 I was on 100-150 mgs to help me sleep. It usually worked if I took it about 90 minutes before bed. I have no idea what the recommended dose for depression is, but I'd say a lot more than you're on. I started at 50 mgs, and went up to 100-150 after a few days. I'm not sure about the suicide risk, but I do know they are more dangerous than SSRIs in terms of ODing. It may be wise to have someone else dispense it if you feel suicidal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knitten Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 scatty i am glad you suggested someone else maybe holding on to the meds because they are a real danger if you OD on them. they cause your heart to stop beating altogether. which actually happened to me. so blue, please take what ever precautions are necessary to protect yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluelikejazz Posted March 28, 2009 Author Share Posted March 28, 2009 Thanks Kristine. Pdoc did mention the risk a long time ago when we talked about the possibility. It just dawned on me maybe that is why she is starting with such a low dose, and not giving me repeats. thanks for the concern. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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