Posted by daizy on February 24, 2003, at 13:01:25
In reply to Re: a safer tricyclicQUESTION? » daizy, posted by zeugma on February 24, 2003, at 12:24:08
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> > > > I have been on a TCA for six weeks and I havnt been to my doc since starting them, If these meds affect blood pressure, should I go and see my doc? At what dosage do these meds become dangerous? What is the blood test needed for? If anybody knows???
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> > > The blood test is used to determine levels of the TCA in the blood. Usually the purpose is to see if 'therapeutic levels' have been reached. Do you have side effects like orthostatic hypotension (dizziness when you stand up)? If the drug is lowering your blood pressure it will likely cause frequent dizziness and faintness.
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> > As yet I havnt had any side effects. I do feel a little better depression wise, but the anxiety is still there. Untill today I had not had a panic attack, although it wasnt a bad one. I have not had any dizziness or faintness. I see the doc in a few weeks, maybe I'll have to have a blood test then, although I may get changed to a different med, one for anxiety(I hope!)
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> TCA's by themselves help with anxiety but in a subtle, moderating way. I was recently asked by a psychiatrist whether my anxiety was worse than my depression and I said yes. I currently take 30 mg buspirone in addition to nortriptyline. The buspirone has worked very well for me and the buspirone/TCA combination is definitely safe; I can't say that it would help you, though, because I would just be generalizing from my own experience. It sounds like the TCA is helping you, so maybe you should augment it with an antianxiety med instead of dropping the TCA.
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> Yeah that sounds good, I have a bit of a problem in that I dont see a Pdoc, I only see a GP, I know they dont really know that much about Psych meds and combinations and things! I may have to just bring it up, but Im not to keen on the Idea as I dont know wht the response might be?????!
Thanx :-)
poster:daizy
thread:202869
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030224/msgs/203358.html