If you get ANY cardiac effects from low dose TCAs....I would insist on an EKG and look for QT prolongation.

These drugs cause this in sensitive people. And it is very dangerous, and should be evaluated. If you have this reaction,
I'd stay away from this family of drugs. And make sure your
potassium and magnesium levels are kept optimum. Low electrolytes will cause a cardiac event!

http://www.azcert.org/

Check out these lists!

Wow MrsD, thank you for the lists and advice. I don't have OT prolongation, but I do have heart rhythm problems leaving my heart very sensitive to certain drugs. I just cannot take any antidepressants as I do not tolerate them well at all. Even when I took hydralazine for blood pressure for a brief period of time, it made my heart race. All I know is if heart rhythm problems are listed as a side effect on any drug, then I know I can't take it ususally. I am actually going for a blood test on Monday to check my electrolytes.

Drugs that cause vasodilation like hydralazine, will cause a compensatory increase in heart rate.

This includes calcium channel blockers like Procardia. I tried
Procardia years ago and it made my heart race too.

Nitrates will do it as well.
So will alcohol in some people.

This effect is not the drug working on the heart directly, it is the body trying to keep blood flow going in the arteries that are
suddenly dilated.

It has been thought that TCAs like Elavil were working centrally to moderate pain in diabetic neuropathies. This new paper is showing that it works in the periphery to help the nerves as well. That is the new information.

Mrs. D, I haven't been visiting neurotalk for awhile & just today I return & see your post on elavil! This very morning I was actually recalling fondly the time I was on it (6 or 7 years ago) when the only sx I disliked was brain fog. I've been on Lyrica for the past 2 weeks and am not happy w/ its many sx. The doc says to try it for at least a month. I'm leaning towards ditching it & going back on elavil. It was great for getting 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep & providing many hours of pain relief. Not the case with Lyrica as yet.

Many thanks for the update!

Mrsd can a prolonged Qt syndrome only be seen when you start one of these drugs or will a doc that mentioned it before. I have had EKG's done and they have alsys said its fine.

Not sure if this racing hart is from possible gerd or if it is from the antidepressant. I only tried the new one last night. Have not been on the other one for a week and a half now and that was only on it for 3 days.

I will call the heart doc on monday and ask to come in. I am seeing the gastro doc too.

I think they have to look for it. Measure the graph etc.

Many doctors just glance at EKG's and don't measure the time intervals involved, unless someone requests that extra evaluation.

Many QT issues are inherited and only show up with the use of certain drugs. Others are acquired with drug use or poor electrolyte status. that is what that website is for, to explain this complex and often overlooked problem.

Well I will have them double check it just to be sure. I really think its gastro because spicy foods set it off and bending over alot sets it off too.

75mg of amatriptyline works wonders for my nerve pain and i get some sleep!

Hi Ladysheets,

I used to use elavil and believe I stopped it because it produced some brain fog. Little did I know how benign a little brain fog is compared to the sx from Lyrica. I'm would like to taper off it & go back to elavil.

How does it affect your feet and your balance? Those are 2 fixes I've gotten from Lyrica which is an improvement I very much appreciate. But, if I could get those 2 issues improved via elavil, I'd be very very happy.