Posted by Snoozy on June 7, 2003, at 13:07:46
In reply to Two Things, posted by Tree on June 7, 2003, at 11:24:38
Hi -
Elavil is a tricyclic antidepressant, the older generation of antidepressants. Most of the tricyclics cause symptoms such as drowsiness, dry mouth, orthostatic hypotension, sometimes weight gain. I personally have never been able to tolerate the TCA's because I have low blood pressure and I was blacking out every time I stood up when I took them. But they are often used to help with sleep, and do work for some. Oh, I forgot - some of the TCAs are also used to help treat chronic pain.
Here are the medline sites where you can find more information about Elavil:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a682388.html
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202055.html
How's it going with the Wellbutrin? The hair thing I have never been able to figure out. I've read a lot of dermatologists say that because hair is dead, it can't be affected by medication. When it comes out of your scalp, it's dead, so if you start taking a medication, it's not going to do anything to the hair down around your shoulders. But it might do something to the hair before it grows out of the scalp. Then I know a lot of people and hairstylists who swear that it's done something. I'm sure that was helpful to you!! Have you been doing anything different with your hair - different products, different styling? Or wearing it up? Or wearing it down if you always wear it up?> I told my doctor about my sleeping woes and she gave me something new to try. It's Elavil. I'm supposed to take it at 8pm, but last night I was out with my daughter so was afraid to take it till I got home, about 11. I had a hard time getting going this morning and just started feeling alive around noon. I'm sort of afraid of this medicine. Anybody know something about it?
>
> Also, has anyone had something happen with their hair as an effect of medication? I have this section of hair right in the back-middle that has become extremely dry and fragile. I have sort of long hair, so it really seems noticeable. Am I crazy, or can this be from the drugs?
>
> Thanks,
> Tree
poster:Snoozy
thread:232150
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030604/msgs/232169.html