Posted by SalArmy4me on March 2, 2001, at 9:11:01
All prescription and in generics:
Bethanechol (Urecholine) - a not so new cholinergic that relieves anticholinergic effects, such as dry mouth, constipation, profuse sweating, urinary retention, etcetera. It can be prescribed with any antidepressant; it was given to me with Parnate and later, Paxil. The side-effect profile is generally benign; I never had any side-effects from it. I don't think I would have lasted as long on Parnate if it hadn't been for this medication.
Calan (Verapamil) - there is such thing as a "depression headache" (I suppose its from anxiety). Also, many people on this message board complain that their headaches are from the antidepressants themselves. At any rate, most doctors (like my dad) will prescribe Elavil for chronic non-migraine headaches, because it has the most anti-pain properties of any antidepressant. But Elavil is like a punishment as far as anticholinergic effects. Verapamil does not have those effects. Verapamil SR 240 mg can be taken once-a-day and it has worked wonders for people. I never had any side-effects.
Inderal - this is the gold standard treatment for essential tremor, caused by antidepressants/anticonvulsants like LITHIUM, Wellbutrin and MAOIs. It has not been shown to cause orthostatic hypotension in otherwise normal adults. It needs to be taken 3 times a day, and the side-effect profile is also benign.
Surprisingly, many people resist taking medications to combat the side-effects of medications. I understand that. It means that one will be putting another foreign substance in one's body. But I would rather die than not treat the: dry mouth, headaches, myoclonic jerks, extreme constipation, urinary retention, and fatigue from Parnate--when I could easily take Urecholine.
poster:SalArmy4me
thread:55330
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010302/msgs/55330.html