Doxepin experiences?

[mjs190]

I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience with Doxepin for sleep as well as depression/anxiety? I'm currently taking 150-200 mg of Seroquel XR at night, but want to switch to something else with less effect on appetite and possibly with less day-time sedation, too. Less expensive would also be a bonus.

I know Doxepin hits histamine receptors first and foremost, and then begins to interact with various norepinephrine, serotonin, and muscarinic receptors. I'm just curious if anyone has noticed an effect on depression or anxiety in addition to sleep benefits; I want something that will be able to replace Seroquel, which for me reduces anxiety and has a moderately positive effect on mood, as well as promotes sleep (a little too well for my liking).

[Flash]

I've been taking doxepin for about a year now, mostly at 300 mg. It's the only antidepressant that has worked for me, and I've tried a fair number of them. It is rather sedating, so I take it at night. I always get at least five hours of sleep on it, and I believe that was the case at all doses. It is gentler sleep aid than seroquel, IMO. I do not usually get 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep, however. I usually fall asleep before taking it and get 2-3 hours in before I wake up. Then I take my doxepin and go back to sleep. I'll get another 5-6 hours that way. Fortunately I don't get a hangover from it, like I did with seroquel. 

As an AD, it didn't have any effects other than sleep until I hit 200 mg, when I noticed my mood had improved some. When I hit 250 mg, I got most of the benefit. I had been stuck in anhedonialand for a long time, and was really grateful for the release. My mood has been extremely level on it, so I've been really happy with the results. It hasn't pushed me into hypo/mania either, but then I've been on Abilify the whole time.

I am currently decreasing my dose of both doxepin and Abilify in order to stop hair loss. I think it's Abilify causing the problem, but I can't be 100% sure. The really bad hair loss stopped when I discontinued Accutane, but I continue to shed some over half a year later (so it's unlikely it's the Accutane still causing the problems). Other than that potential side effect, the only other side effect I've experienced from it is dry mouth, but I seem to get that from just about every med. So far I haven't had any problems decreasing the dose. I did have a few days where I felt a little lower about six weeks after I went from 300 to 250, but I feel fine now. I just decreased to 200 last night, so it remains to be seen what will happen on the new, lower dose. 

I haven't had any increased appetite or weight gain while on doxepin, and I've actually shed quite a few pounds since I've been on it. All in all, it has been a very good med for me. 

[mjs190]

48 minutes ago, Flash said:

I had been stuck in anhedonialand for a long time, and was really grateful for the release. My mood has been extremely level on it, so I've been really happy with the results. It hasn't pushed me into hypo/mania either, but then I've been on Abilify the whole time.

I am currently decreasing my dose of both doxepin and Abilify in order to stop hair loss. I think it's Abilify causing the problem, but I can't be 100% sure. The really bad hair loss stopped when I discontinued Accutane, but I continue to shed some over half a year later (so it's unlikely it's the Accutane still causing the problems). Other than that potential side effect, the only other side effect I've experienced from it is dry mouth, but I seem to get that from just about every med. 

I haven't had any increased appetite or weight gain while on doxepin, and I've actually shed quite a few pounds since I've been on it. All in all, it has been a very good med for me. 

Thanks for the feedback! It makes me feel a bit better about asking for the medication, knowing that it doesn't necessarily send people into hypomania-land just because its an AD.

The hair loss is no fun, although I'm a guy and I shave my head every couple days, so I suppose its not a huge problem haha. For what its worth, I also took Accutane and shortly after stopping it (around 17-18 years old) I started to notice a receding hairline. In no way can I implicate Accutane, but it is a harsh med nonetheless. Either way, I'm sorry about the hair loss. Hopefully dose reductions will help, as you've said.

Not having an increase in appetite is a promising piece of news, too. I understand everyone reacts differently to medications, but I think I'd be hard-pressed to find a Seroquel patient (taking a dose similar to mine) that doesn't experience that hunger. Something that carries less metabolic effects than Seroquel is definitely a brighter option in my book. Since starting Seroquel about 3 months ago, I've gained 10+ lbs.

[Flash]

12 minutes ago, mjs190 said:

Thanks for the feedback! It makes me feel a bit better about asking for the medication, knowing that it doesn't necessarily send people into hypomania-land just because its an AD.

The hair loss is no fun, although I'm a guy and I shave my head every couple days, so I suppose its not a huge problem haha. For what its worth, I also took Accutane and shortly after stopping it (around 17-18 years old) I started to notice a receding hairline. In no way can I implicate Accutane, but it is a harsh med nonetheless. Either way, I'm sorry about the hair loss. Hopefully dose reductions will help, as you've said.

Not having an increase in appetite is a promising piece of news, too. I understand everyone reacts differently to medications, but I think I'd be hard-pressed to find a Seroquel patient (taking a dose similar to mine) that doesn't experience that hunger. Something that carries less metabolic effects than Seroquel is definitely a brighter option in my book. Since starting Seroquel about 3 months ago, I've gained 10+ lbs.

Fortunately my hair isn't shedding anywhere near as much as it was at the end of my cycle of Accutane. Back then a whole bunch of hair would come out if I just casually ran my fingers through my hair. I have a friend whose daughter experienced hair loss on higher doses of Abilify. She found she's able to tolerate 5 mg, though, so I'm hoping that's the same for me. I'll be really bummed if I have to discontinue the doxepin, as it has worked so well. 

Sorry about the seroquel weight gain. It is pretty notorious for that, unfortunately. If you do decide to swap it out for doxepin, I hope you get good results without any nasty side effects. BTW, the dry mouth did lessen some over time. It took quite a while before it improved, though.