[mrsD]

Some new information on why Amitriptyline works:

http://psychcentral.com/news/2009/06...tors/6761.html

Doctors also prescribe amitriptyline for chronic pain such as migraine headaches or the nerve damage caused by diabetes, he notes.

In laboratory tests, amitriptyline could protect neurons from oxygen and glucose deprivation or the toxin kainic acid. Only amitriptyline, and not other antidepressants, could duplicate NGF’s ability to stimulate neurons to send out “neurites,” small projections thought to be the beginnings of connections to other neurons.

Amitriptyline directly binds TrkA and a related molecule called TrkB, the authors found. Amitriptyline could also bring together a mismatched pair of TrkA and TrkB — a phenomenon not seen before, Ye says.

Also surprising was the finding that other tricyclic antidepressants — even those with a similar molecular structure such as imipramine — could not match amitriptyline’s ability to stimulate cells through TrkA.

In a model of antidepressant function called a “forced swim test,” amitriptyline’s effects do not depend on TrkA, because it still works on mice with modified TrkA genes, the authors found.

The results are published online and appear in the June 26 issue of the journal Chemistry & Biology.

So it looks here like Elavil (amitriptyline) is the drug of choice now.

[Hope15]

Originally Posted by mrsD

Some new information on why Amitriptyline works:

http://psychcentral.com/news/2009/06...tors/6761.html



So it looks here like Elavil (amitriptyline) is the drug of choice now.

It seems many get relief from this drug. I don't understand why my heart is so sensitive to this drug and other antidepressants. It skips, flips and races like crazy.

[watsonsh]

Hope my heart does the same thing. I just tried nortriptyline and my heart raced. Doc is trying desipramine next for me.

[shiney sue]

This was awful made me jumpy and really nervous,but works for others or
at least I; m told.... echhhh Blessings to all Sue

[Hope15]

Originally Posted by Shelley

Hope my heart does the same thing. I just tried nortriptyline and my heart raced. Doc is trying desipramine next for me.

Really? I guess that I am not alone then. I'll keep my fingers crossed that the desipramine works for you Shelley....

[mrsD]

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!

[Hope15]

Originally Posted by mrsD

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.