WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for August, 2000: Re: Dr advice needed on Elavil effects IGNORE PREVIOUS POSTS.

Re: Dr advice needed on Elavil effects IGNORE PREVIOUS POSTS.

From: Robin (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue, 22 Aug 2000 14:03:55 -0500 (CDT)

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At Tue, 22 Aug 2000, Emme wrote: >
>Apparently I haven't been sending my posts correctly (2 out of 4 showed
>up), so you guys have been spared!
>
>Just quickly, I saw my regular doctor (he is my primary care dr. and my
>gastroenterologist) and after examining me and listening to me desribe
>my UTI-symptoms, feelings of fatigue, moodiness and depression, and ill
>health woes, he decided that I was most probably depressed and
>prescribed a 10mg dose of Elavil (amitryptlin) to be taken at bedtime.

Who wouldn't be when they have chronic health problems!!! I know, I've been there.

>At this point in time, I have come to be afraid of prescription
>medicines. I have taken penicillen, compazine, cipro, bactrim,
>augmentin, prednisone, zyrtec, and macrobid over the last few months for
>the flu, UTIs, and other problems and was allergic to three of them. I
>don't like the idea of something that inhibits your body's or brain's
>natural function. Aren't anti-depressants addictive and reported to
>have serious side effects?

As you know, I'm not a Dr., but have taken antidepressants over the years. I personally have not heard of them being addictive, but, that isn't to say it can't happen. I am a firm believer that if one has an addictive personality, you can get addicted to most everything. Also know, addiction is different than dependance. Addiction is a craving for something, be it medication, food or sex, to name a few. Dependance is where you take something because you require it to function properly (antidepressants for depression or for pain relief, pain medications for pain relief so you can function daily as opposed to being bedridden due to the pain). Dependance is when you take, say pain medication, not for the feeling of a "high", but because it relieves or greatly reduces your pain, so that you can go on with your daily activities.....have I made sense?? I tried ;o).

Elavil and the other tricyclic antidepressants are also used in the treatment of pain, so you might find if you take the low dose of Elavil, that your pain is better. Elavil is used widely in the treatment of chronic pain conditions. 10mg is a low dose, and is usually what the Drs. will start a patient on....at least from what I have learned in my research and talks with my Dr.

>- or would a dose this low not really do
>anything?

It may very well help.

>I think the pill might be a major cause of my
>depression/moodiness and UTI symptoms (which happen around the same time
>every month) and I am going off of it on September 3.

Some pills will do that. Ortho Tri-cyclen is a big one. Both my cousin and I were downright hateful on OTC. Thankfully though, we weren't on it at the same time!!! Now, wouldn't that make for a fun family reunion?!?!? ;o)

>I was thinking of
>seeing if things got better then, and then thinking about Elavil if my
>symptoms hadn't gone away. But, I discussed this with my dr. and he
>pretty much chewed me out and told me that over the next few weeks the
>symptoms will come back if I don't stay on the Elavil.

Remember, this is your body, and you have to do what you feel is right (unless of course your safety, or the safety of others is at risk...not saying it is, just adding that). I personally don't see anything wrong with waiting from what you have said, but I evidentally don't know everything about you and your problems to say. If your Dr. is insistent that you stay on the Elavil, and you don't feel comfortable with that, you might want to seek out another opinion.

>Also, I am going
>away to Europe for the next two weeks and was concerned that my body
>will be affected because my "bedtime" will change by 6 hours. Dizziness,
>weakness, nausea are also listed on the monograph, (and alcohol
>consumption is forbidden) but I suspect the monograph is writtten for
>all doses (up to 150 mg or more). Would I be able to have a glass of
>wine or two, or some beer while in Paris? What advice do you have on
>Elavil?
>
>Also, is it bad to take pyridium for an extended period of time/. It
>decreases urinary frequency, and since I will be on vacation and not
>able to run to the restroom every hour or so I plan on taking some with
>me...
>
>Thanks!
>I will be away for two weeks starting this Thursday, so then you all
>will get a break from me! Thanks for your kindness, compassion, concern
>and advice!

Have a wonderful vacation!!!!! I'm jealous...need someone to carry your luggage?? ;o)

Feel better. I know I'm not a Dr., and hope you don't mind me helping out a little.

-- Robin

--
~Robin~

Next message: anonymous@obgyn.net: "Re: multiple multiples~To Dr. McIntosh"
Previous message: Kim: "Re: Thanks ROBIN...THAT IS A RELIEF Is this Hair Growth Normal?"
In reply to: Emme: "Dr advice needed on Elavil effects IGNORE PREVIOUS POSTS."
Next in thread: Emme: "Robin- you're the best!"
Reply: Emme: "Robin- you're the best!"

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