| Posted by goly ® (goly ostovar,goly), Aug 28,2001,00:02 |
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Hi everyone, I have not posted for a while but have been keeping up with you all. I have been doing some research. I have read about the use of tricyclic drungs on some neurological cases which effect the face, neck, eyes, and speech. The study said that tricyclic drugs, such as amitriptyline (Elavil) may improve speech. I am curious to see if anyone on this board has used Elavil and what he results may have been. thanks, Goly
I am starting back at school tomorrow....kind of nervous about having to project in loud and crowded staff room and classroom. I will be using my amplification system. This summer my voice improved quite a bit. I have started on accupunture again and am taking GABA. Seems to be helping. My voice is much better in the morning and holds up quite well until about 2 p.m. and then it is downhill from there! Think positive thoughts for my new year at school please.
Re: tricyclic drugs -- please be careful
Hi Goly.Your post caught my attention because you mentioned the use of Elavil for "neurological" problems. Just so you are aware, Elavil (amitriptyline) is on the list of medications which can cause or worsen dystonia. I would be *very wary* of using it for the sole purpose of trying to improve one's voice. Of course, everyone has to make their own decisions in consultation with their doctor. I would imagine there is a significant difference between the mechanisms involved in neurological problems which affect *speech* and those which affect the *voice* (i.e., spasmodic dysphonia/laryngeal dystonia). As a result, the treatment approach to each one is likely to be different. So perhaps the specific research you found does not apply here? I'm not sure as you did not give any specific details connecting Elavil to spasmodic dysphonia/laryngeal dystonia. But I do know that Elavil is listed as a drug dystonia patients should avoid whenever possible. So please be careful. If you are interested, this list can be found at
www.dystonia-support.org Good luck as you begin a new year teaching. Laurie
--modified by Laurie at Tue, Aug 28, 2001, 13:25:51
Re: tricyclic drugs -- please be careful
Elavil was prescribed for me about six years ago (by a movement disorder specialist) for my underlying tremor. Initially it did help the tremor, but I gradually needed more and more, and my overall health and generalized dystonia got much worse. I've been drug free and doing the holistic thing ever since and have gotten rid of all my dystonias except SD, although it has improved a little but much too slowly.
Re: tricyclic drugs -- please be careful
Connie, You said you have been drug free and doing the holictic thing! May I ask what you have done and what holistic alternative you have found most helpful? thanks, Goly
My holistic success story
Sure! It's too long to post here, but it's on the link below.There are even several things I should add to this long version. I seem to remember a bit more everytime I talk to another person with dystonia. If you have specific questions feel free to email me at my RoadRunner address... I don't check in here too often. Thanks!Related link: http://www.geocities.com/conniemarielehman/dystonia.html
--modified by Connie Lehman at Thu, Sep 06, 2001, 02:27:14
Re: tricyclic drugs
Good luck at school this year, Goly. My thoughts and prayers are with you. (I took Elavil years ago before I lost my voice.)Best... Joan
Re: tricyclic drugs
Hi Goly,
I took tricylic anti-depressants for post-natal depression for a little over 2 years , and the only effect on my voice was a good one, probably because I was more relaxed on them (being less depressed!). I took Cipramil, Luvox and Zoloft at various times, trying to get the med right, I find that Neurontin actually works better for my mood (as a stabiliser) than any of the anti-depressants did - go figure :)
N
xx
Re: tricyclic drugs - Danger!
Elavil is a psychiatric drug used in the treatment of "depression". If you are feeling a little happier, maybe you can speak a little better at times. It probably isn't worth it, especially with the side effects. Forget about it and the acupuncture too.
Re: tricyclic drugs
Goly,I have taken Elavil before, but was unable to continue taking it because I was allergic. I have also taken a lot of the others drugs that are on the list which causes SD. As I read everyones post it makes me wonder if those drugs over the years did cause my SD. I developed SD in my early 20's and I have suffered with SD for 17 years. My SD seem to worsen over time. I am almost 3 months post-op from Dr. Berke's surgery. I think there is just to many coincidences that relate back to being on one or more of the drugs on the list which causes SD. I am interested to know if anyone else feels the same way I do about being treated with any of the drugs from that list. Regards, Jan
Re: tricyclic drugs & depression
These drugs stopped me from taking my life when I had severe post-natal depression after the birth of my child. You have to weigh up the risks and then make your own decisions. If you are severely depressed this can lead to all sorts of problems including suicide attempts. if a drug is going to help you through this then it's worth it. My doctors have all been given a copy of that "list" and the most recurrent theme has been that it is a list created as a precaution, and that many of these drugs may or may not worsen dystonia, and the findings are often based on one or two persons having symptoms at the same time aa taking one of these drugs, that is not scientific evidence, just read the disclaimer on the list itself.
If a drug is needed to treat depression and the patient is severely depressed, well, i'd rather be alive today than have not taken them, and that's about what it came down to. So, it was not to make me feel "happier" that I took anti-depressants, it was because I had a severe illness, one that did me much more damage and was a hell of a lot more life threatening than a spasm in my throat. I had never taken any of the drugs on the list up until that time, so can't say that it ever effected my SD. I got it when I was 17 - 1986 - and it stayed the same up until I started having botox in 1994, there was no increase in severity whatsoever.
So, these drugs may worsen people's SD, and don't take them if you don't have to. but to dismiss some of them out of hand when they could treat a serious condition that one has, is ludicrous and dangerous.
Narelle
By the way, I also had cognitive therapy in conjunction with drug therapy for my depression, and I am no advocate of purely drug based solutions.
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