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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by John1022 on October 11, 2003, at 14:40:34
This question is for Larry or anyone else who might now the answer.
I recently took Elavil (Amitriptyline) for mild depression. The doc prescribed it over the new SSRI's because I had a case of pre-existing tinnitus.
Elavil threw me into a very deep state of depression with extreme anxiety after about a week of taking it.
I also lost all concentration and am now constantly having songs get stuck in my head all day long and especially at night when I sleep. I can't even sit down to watch tv or read a book because I cannot concentrate whatsoever. This was NEVER a problem before I started taking the Elavil.
It has also caused me to have very vivid dreams/nightmares and has completely disturbed my sleep.
My question is this:
Can TCA's cause actual cognitive damage? Or is it just impairment? I have been off them for about 2 weeks and am still feeling terrible, although it has gotten better by the day. But the songs are still stuck in my head all day long.
My concentration is still a problem though and I have had songs stuck in my head for the two weeks I have been off it.
Should I worry about actual damage? Or is this something that will eventually go away after the drug is fully washed out of my system for another week or two as Elavil has a long half-life of 2-3 weeks?
Thanks
Posted by Janelle on October 11, 2003, at 15:31:35
In reply to TCA's and cognitive damage/songs in head-Lar?, posted by John1022 on October 11, 2003, at 14:40:34
I was on Elavil (Amitriptyline) for severe depression many years ago at the time Prozac was just coming on the market.
The first couple of weeks I took Elavil I had the typical TCA side effects - dry mouth, constipation, and it put me to sleep like a baby at night. However, ALL of these wore off within a couple of weeks.
I did NOT experience any of what you described, and I'm sorry to hear about it.
HOWEVER, I am now on a multi-med cocktail and have also lost all concentration and am now constantly having songs get stuck in my head, though not all day long (but yep, especially at night when I first start to fall asleep. I also can't even sit down to read a book because I cannot concentrate and I have almost racing thoughts going through my head.
Unfortunately I cannot answer your question about if TCA's cause actual cognitive damage or is it just impairment.
My guess, based on what you said about being off them for about 2 weeks and starting to feel better by the day would SEEM to indicate that what you've been experiencing IS due to the ELAVIL and is TEMPORARY.
It SOUNDS like there is no actual damage (you hadn't been on Elavil very long?) and that this is something that will eventually go away after the drug is fully washed out of your system, especially since Elavil has a long half-life.Keep monitoring your symptoms and if the concentration problem and music are STILL there after another couple of weeks, call your pdoc about it.
Just my humble suggestions. Good luck 2 U.
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