Posted by KaraS on April 10, 2005, at 17:06:57
In reply to Kara S, posted by Sarah T. on April 8, 2005, at 1:56:36
> Hi Kara,
>
> Do you happen to know whether Melatonin suppresses progesterone? I thought I read that it can suppress estrogen, which may or may not be desirable. About 8 years ago, a friend of mine, who was trying to get pregnant, was taking melatonin every night. She was unable to get pregnant, and it wasn't until several years later that she figured out that the melatonin was making her infertile. These hormones are so powerful, and they affect so many systems, directly and indirectly.
>
> I'm glad to hear the doxepin is helping you so much. How many mg are you taking now? If you are still on that low dose, do you find that you are able to keep the anticholinergic side effects to a minimum? Did those palpitations stop?
>
> Have you ever taken nortriptyline? If so, how was it? I took it many years ago for a brief time. Nortriptyline has a so-called "therapeutic window" or narrow dosage range within which it is effective. I never seemed to be able to find the correct window. I might try it again some day.
Hi Sarah,
I don't know whether melatonin suppresses progesterone. I haven't studied it that thoroughly. I only use it once in a while so haven't bother to do extensive reserach. I think you're wise to be concerned though. Since it is a hormone it could affect a lot of other things.Yes, the doxepin at 25 mg. does keep the side effects to a minimum. I still am aware of the anticholinergic dumbing down effect unfortunately. But right now if I went off of it without a good back-up plan, I'd be in serious trouble. So for now I'll stick with it. I have an increased appetite which I hate but I don't have orthostatic hypotension and rarely have a problem with dry mouth. The palpitations have stopped (thanks for asking) and the EKG was normal so I'm no longer worried about taking it with regard to cario effects. (I really believe now that the excessive use of the light box had something to do with causing the palpitations.) My sleep is incredible on doxepin - sound, restorative, great dreams. The problem is that it makes it even harder to get up in the morning. How is your sleep currently? The last time you posted to me you were going through a bad time. I hope that you're doing better now.
I took nort. many years ago. I couldn't tolerate it. It gave me tachycardia on even a small dosage. My resting heart rate was about 100 bpm and I wasn't even at a therapeutic level yet. I was really disappointed because I think it's a good drug. Someday I might try it with a beta blocker if I'm out of other options and I can get a physician to prescribe them both. Several people on this board have had good results with nort. (as you're probably aware of). Might be worth trying it again. The therapeutic window can be a nuisance but at least you don't have to keep upping the dose a million times before giving up on it.Take care,
Kara
poster:KaraS
thread:478017
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20050323/msgs/482461.html