Nortriptyline

Has anyone tried Nortriptyline? My doctor is prescribing it to me, but when I read the drug monograph, the listed possible side effects scare me!!! The worst was the warning of hair loss...I don't want to rist loosing my hair... :_>

I don't know about hair loss, anyone I knew had that complaint, but then again it depends on the person's own biological make up. I do know it has helped some people I knew (not close with, but passing friends) and there had been no major complaint of harsh side effects.
I do know it caused my dog to develop a heart murmur she never had before her being on this med, used for Seperation Anxiety in dogs, this was about 6 years ago, so in my own heart I am not fond of this med, plus I took her off the meds after 6 months, I rather her be destructive (she wasn't too bad) than have further damage done to her, I still feel guilty, but it helped save her from my husband bringing her back to the breeder, I said though, if she goes, I go
All I can say is ask your doc if he can use a better alternative, there are many meds. out there to choose from, even different kind of combos you can use, so ask him or her, also don't always think what the monograph says will happen all the time, they legally have to show all the various things possible, but again will not necessarily happen to you I've had meds. that say "may cause weight loss or gain", sad, I never experienced the side effect "weight loss", ha!ha!
Take care now,
"darkeyes"

Thanks darkeyes for your reply! My doc mentioned Effexor but he said it's much more expensive. So I chose Nortriptyline...I also love dogs..too bad my mom doesn't let me have one in the house now...my previous dog died a few months ago, and I was desvastated...my mom doesn't want me to go through the pain of loosing a pet again...I really miss my dog...I used to think I couldn't live without her. I am doing ok now.

Yes, I know the heartbreak of losing a pet, I was devastated at the loss of all of our dogs, I too had said I'm not getting a dog, I can't live through another heartbreak, but someone said, "but look how much joy you can have in your life again"!
So, yes I couldn't take not hearing the jingle of the tags of her collar, the ticking of the nails as she walked (ticking usually means time for their nails to be cut) so many things I missed and made the days more difficult, my is now 7 y.o. and I am already dreading that final day, but I must accept it though it is cruel that such wonderful, loyal friends can't live as long as humans Go with the Nortriptyline but don't let higher cost be the factor in your mental well being, that is priceless and sometimes there are ways of giving up some things in order to help you afford pdocs and treatment, after all that should be the main priority, it's your life we are talking about, not a new pair of shoes or something like that, right?
Please take care, I am wishing you lots of love and luck with all of this. I deal with mild bipolar illness (Bipolar II mild) so I can relate with many of the medications, it took a try with different ones til we found what is right for me, so don't give up hope, you'll get there
"darkeyes"

I know I recently read an article that said Nortriptyline was one of the best meds for persistent depression. all meds have potential side effects. If your doctor feels it can help you, I would at least give it a try. if side effects pop up, you can always immediately call your doc and try something else. good luck.