Re: Info needed on Allegron (nortriptyline)

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

I am on another triptyline (amitriptyline). They are antidepressants (and not very good antidepressants), but they are used to treat pain in the body by correcting seretonin levels in the brain. They are the first drug used to treat migraine and types of a-typical pain, especially facial pain and twitches (like the crawlies you get).

Indeed you are on a TINY dose!!! (I'm on 100mg) However dont just start with 25mg. Break the tablet in half and take half the tablet when you go to bed to sleep at night for they will dry out your mouth and make you groggy. You need to build up a tolerance to them. When the 12.5 mg tablets dont make you groggy (even if its the next day) then go up to the full 25mg dose.

NEVER start neurological medication on full dose. It may make you extremely ill if it is injested at a dose too high for your body to metabolise. (Talking from experience.)

Your immunologist is right. He is not giving it to you for depression. If he was treating depression he would have given you a medication such as Zoloft or another dirivitive of Prozac for they are far more effective for depression.

I dont have FMS, but I can tell you that amitriptyline was the first drug my neurologist put me on that made a big difference to my myoclonus, migraines, vision problems, etc. So much so I am on the high dose of it now.

If you want more info on seretonin levels in the brain and how they affect pain let me know. Here is info on nortriptyline for you.

Love A.

nortriptyline

Pronunciation: nor TRIP ti leen

Brand: Aventyl HCl, Pamelor

What is the most important information I should know about nortriptyline?

•

It may be 4 weeks or more before you start to feel better, but do not stop taking nortriptyline unless your doctor tells you it is all right to do so.

•

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Nortriptyline may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities.

•

Dizziness is likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall.

•

Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking nortriptyline.

What is nortriptyline?

•

Nortriptyline is in a class of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants. Nortriptyline affects chemicals in your brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression.

•

Nortriptyline is used to relieve symptoms of depression such as feelings of sadness, worthlessness, or guilt; loss of interest in daily activities; changes in appetite; tiredness; sleeping too much; insomnia; and thoughts of death or suicide. Nortriptyline is also sometimes used to treat certain types of pain.

•

Nortriptyline may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Who should not take nortriptyline?

•

Do not take nortriptyline if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the last 14 days.

•

Before taking nortriptyline, tell your doctor if you have

·

liver or kidney disease,

·

asthma,

·

thyroid disease,

·

diabetes,

·

stomach or intestinal problems,

·

high blood pressure or heart disease,

·

had a heart attack in the last 6 weeks,

·

an enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating, or

·

glaucoma.

•

You may not be able to take nortriptyline, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring if you have any of the conditions listed above.

•

It is not known whether nortriptyline will harm an unborn baby. Do not take nortriptyline without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

•

The effects of nortriptyline on a nursing baby are unknown. Do not take nortriptyline without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take nortriptyline?

•

Take nortriptyline exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

•

Take each dose with a full glass (8 oz) of water.

•

Nortriptyline may be taken several times a day or in one daily dose (usually at bedtime). Follow your doctor's instructions.

•

It may be 4 weeks or more before you start to feel better, but do not stop taking nortriptyline unless your doctor tells you it is all right to do so.

•

Store nortriptyline at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What happens if I overdose?

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Seek emergency medical attention.

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Symptoms of an nortriptyline overdose include seizures, confusion, drowsiness, agitation, hallucinations, and low blood pressure (dizziness, fatigue, fainting).

What should I avoid while taking nortriptyline?

•

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Nortriptyline may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities.

•

Dizziness is likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall.

•

Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking nortriptyline.

•

Do not stop taking nortriptyline suddenly. This could cause symptoms such as nausea, headache, and malaise.

What are the possible side effects of nortriptyline?

•

If you experience any of the following serious side effects call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:

·

an allergic reaction (swelling of the lips, face, or tongue; difficulty breathing);

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seizures;

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a fast or irregular heartbeat;

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heart attack;

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high blood pressure (blurred vision, severe headache);

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difficulty urinating; or

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fever with increased sweating, muscle stiffness, or severe muscle weakness.

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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take nortriptyline and talk to your doctor if you experience

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mild drowsiness or dizziness;

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dry mouth and eyes;

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constipation;

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mild tremor;

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sweating;

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mild agitation, weakness, or headache;

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ringing in the ears;

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nausea; or

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loss of weight or appetite.

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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect nortriptyline?

•

Do not take nortriptyline if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the last 14 days.

•

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking

·

another antidepressant such as fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft);

·

a heart medication such as guanethidine (Ismelin), guanadrel (Hylorel), reserpine (Ser-Ap-Es, Serpasil, others), flecanide (Tambocor), or propafenone (Rythmol);

·

a barbiturate such as phenobarbital (Luminal), butabarbital (Butisol), amobarbital (Amytal), or secobarbital (Seconal);

·

a phenothiazine such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine) or thioridazine (Mellaril);

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other commonly used phenothiazines, including fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine), and trifluoperazine (Stelazine);

·

an antipsychotic medicine such as haloperidol (Haldol), clozapine (Clozaril), risperidone (Risperdal), thiothixene (Navane), olanzapine (Zyprexa), or others;

·

an anticholinergic such as belladonna (Donnatal), clidinium (Quarzan), dicyclomine (Bentyl, Antispas), hyoscyamine (Levsin, Anaspaz), ipratropium (Atrovent), propantheline (Pro-Banthine), or scopolamine (Transderm-Scop);

·

the stomach medicine cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB); or

·

disulfiram (Antabuse).

•

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with nortriptyline. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

•

Your pharmacist has additional information about nortriptyline written for health professionals that you may read.

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Info needed on Allegron (nortriptyline)

Hi allMy Immunologist recently prescribed me Allegron 25mg, one tablet to be taken at night, for a week, then two at night. He assured me that although this is an anti-depressant he is not giving it to me for depression (this distinction is important to me, as I do not have a diagnosis yet and am scared to be labelled neurotic!) However, he said that he is giving it to me as it works on the nerves in some way (and I cannot remember his exact words, it was some months ago) to help with muscle and joint pain. Some kind of blocker in the brain.He said that the low amounts he is giving me would not be anywhere enough for depression and reassured me that he did not think that I was depressed (though Dr's seldom say what they are thinking, I have found out with my GP) OK I dont know anything about it, and any info would be appreciated. I havent started taking it yet but have an appoint with him in a month so thought maybe I should try it out. I am suss though, if he is giving it to me to try to sneak an anti depressant in on me, as my GP seemed to assume that he would do, then I would like to know as I won't take it, and will change specialists. (your Dr next Aisha!) Does anyone know anything about the use of this medication in the treatment of FMS type pain?Thanks :-)The Being Sick CommunityVisual problems with colors?Click the link below and select the modify link to your right. Then select the **Send Plain Text Email** option. This will stop you receiving emails with colored or enlarged fonts. Sharing our resources:-Add a website URL you have found useful. Chat:- Scheduled Daily Chats at # on IRC DALnet.chat.htmlMembers Lounge:-Photo Album, memorial page, members profiles, birthdays, locations, medical resources, counselling via email, and a whole bunch of free things.http://www.elderwyn.com/members Message Archives and Digest Attachment Pictures:-messages/Personal Complaints:-Please do not send your complaint to the list. Please email your comments to the moderators.-owneregroups Promoting This Community:- Would you like people to be able to join from your webpage?promote/Subscription Details:-1) Individual email - means that every email sent to the list you receive.2) Daily Digest - sends you 25 messages in one single email for you to browse. This is an excellent option if you receive alot of email.3) Web only/No mail - means that you can pop into eGroups at your convenience and receive no email.To modify your subscription settings please visit mygroupsTo subscribe or unsubscribesubscribe/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"Hold on to what is good, even if it's a handful of earth. Hold on to what you believe, even if it's a tree that stands by itself. Hold on to what you must do even, if it's a long way from here. Hold on to your life, even if it's easier to let go." - Pueblo Prayer

[Guest guest]

Thanks Aisha, wonder how I knew you would be the one who came to the

party with info on this :-)

I am to start on 25 then up it to 50mg, in two weeks. Sounds like

good advice to start on half of a tablet, as I did try taking this

before, and after 3 days got tired of the nausea, so stopped, I was

not sure if the Allegron was causing it, however it did go when i

stopped taking it. Just thought I should look as though I was making

SOME effort when I went back to him! LOL So I will try again.

Thanks for the info,

> If you want more info on seretonin levels in the brain and how they

affect pain let me know. Here is info on nortriptyline for you.

>

yes please Aisha, I hate to go into anything half cocked, the more

info the better!

how are you doing? Are you completely over the flu? Sorry for

breathing in the general direction of Sydney last time I was sick, I

am holding my breath while I type this to you, as I have had a cough

for 3 days, don't want to be blamed for sharing my germs with you

again! LOL

:-)

[Guest guest]

wow girl, that wasn't a catch up, that was a guilt trip! LOL

(In a tiny little voice " I haven't started back on them yet " SLAP!

KICK! " Ouch, lay off Aisha, I will, I promise!)

rachel (Oh by the way, I thought it was a weird thing to give me too,

that is why I am reluctant to take it, or that is my excuse anyway)

> OK Catch up time is on ... feeling the pressure here...

>

> *breathes deep*

>

> Hello ....

>

> " I am to start on 25 then up it to 50mg, in two weeks. Sounds like

> good advice to start on half of a tablet, as I did try taking this

> before, and after 3 days got tired of the nausea, so stopped, I was

> not sure if the Allegron was causing it, however it did go when i

> stopped taking it. "

>

> Common side effect is nausia - did starting with half a tablet

help? Often your body adjusts to the nausia after a few days/weeks,

so if the nausia is there but not making you vomit etc then stick

with it for awhile. Remember its a brain chemistry thing and they all

effect your body in a weird way. (God I'd make a great dr with that

explination!)

>

> " Just thought I should look as though I was making SOME effort when

I went back to him! LOL So I will try again. Thanks for the info, "

>

> LMAO well yeah he will want to know! LOL Its strange that he would

start you on that though. I'd have thought he would have sent you to

a neurologist for that kind of medication. Has it helped? When do you

see him again?

>

> *breathes out*

>

> That catch up was easy! LOL

>

> Love A

[Guest guest]

"wow girl, that wasn't a catch up, that was a guilt trip! LOL"

ACK! Sorry hon was a pathetic attempt at humour!!

"(In a tiny little voice "I haven't started back on them yet" SLAP! KICK! "Ouch, lay off Aisha, I will, I promise!)"

*smiles and says nothing*

"(Oh by the way, I thought it was a weird thing to give me too, that is why I am reluctant to take it, or that is my excuse anyway)"

*coughs*

Try half a tablet and start building up. Takes awhile to adjust to them but your Dr wont be impressed if you havent taken the meds perscribed when you go back and may even do the labeling thing. But then again, tis my opinion, and that of my Dr's that if you are on neuro drugs then you should be monitored by a neurologist. Even my immunologist says "Thats one of Dr' Neuros isnt it?" when going through my meds sometimes and he dont ever change Dr Neuro's meds, and Dr Neuro never changes Dr Immuo's meds. They respect each other to trust what each other is doing.

So you might get away (with not taking them) with saying "Well I took them, they made me sick, and why am I on neuro meds and not seeing a neurologist?"

How did your daughters sleep study go? (havent gotten that far in the archives yet!)

*hugs*Aisha

[Guest guest]

> " wow girl, that wasn't a catch up, that was a guilt trip! LOL "

***It was only a guilt trip cause I was guilty of not doing what I

was told LOL

>

> ACK! Sorry hon was a pathetic attempt at humour!!

>

> " (In a tiny little voice " I haven't started back on them yet " SLAP!

> KICK! " Ouch, lay off Aisha, I will, I promise!) "

> So you might get away (with not taking them) with saying " Well I

took them, they made me sick, and why am I on neuro meds and not

seeing a neurologist? "

***giggle giggle giggle SPLAT!!!!(Laugh until I shit myself!!!)

I can just imagine saying this to my Dr's, they would get THAT look,

as if to say, run away little girl and stop reading medical

textbooks. Just cause you have a good relationship with your Dr

Aisha, doesnt mean that mine are human! LOL

If I said this to my GP he would tell me straight, " there is nothing

wrong with you, I have sent you to two immunologists one a professor,

a rhuematologist, an opthalmic surgeon, and you are still not

diagnosed, doesnt that tell you something, and now you are demanding

to see a Nuero?? yeah right, take 10 zoloft and you will feel much

better, and while we are at it, go see this nice shrink and he will

fix you up once and for all! " Don't worry, I am fully intending to

see your guy if Dwyer doesnt cut it! From what you have said, I think

him and I just might hit it off!

>

> How did your daughters sleep study go? (havent gotten that far in

the archives yet!)

***(with an evil grin) you will, Aisha, you will! I was mighty pissed

off as usual, so vented boringly!

>

> *hugs*

>

> Aisha