HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Difficulty In Sleeping. Prescribed Amitriptyline, Off Paxil For Panic Attack After Years. Advice?

Yes...I am a 75 year old female who had a really bad sleep problem. I would go days without sleep..or just a few hours sleep. My doctor gave me the amitriptyline to help solve it. I started off with 10 mg and worked my way up to 50 mg. til I could get any sleep. I still lay awake for maybe an hour or more til I finally go to sleep. I sleep good and All through the night but am concerned that the side affects could dig up other problems that are not good. I had been on Paxil for years for panic attack but my doctor took me off of it. She said that the medication would help my panic attacks too. Are there any risks I should consider?
Wed, 23 Oct 2013
Report Abuse
Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello,
Thanks for choosing health care magic for posting your query.
I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through.
Amitriptyline is a good drug for sleep disorders as well as panic attacks, although an old drug. The only problem i forsee its use in your case is your age. At 75 years amitriptyline can cause cardiac rhythm abnormalities and cardiac complications as well.
You should instead try other sleep meds like zolpidem, eszopiclone, trazodone, etc. Maybe you can discuss these issues with your psychiatrist.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
bit.ly/dr-srikanth-reddy

Wish you good health,
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.
I find this answer helpful

 1 user finds this helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Recent questions on Panic attack


Loading Online Doctors....
Difficulty In Sleeping. Prescribed Amitriptyline, Off Paxil For Panic Attack After Years. Advice?

Hello, Thanks for choosing health care magic for posting your query. I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through. Amitriptyline is a good drug for sleep disorders as well as panic attacks, although an old drug. The only problem i forsee its use in your case is your age. At 75 years amitriptyline can cause cardiac rhythm abnormalities and cardiac complications as well. You should instead try other sleep meds like zolpidem, eszopiclone, trazodone, etc. Maybe you can discuss these issues with your psychiatrist. Hope I am able to answer your concerns. If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you. In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link: bit.ly/dr-srikanth-reddy Wish you good health, Kind regards Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.