update - saw my doc today

This was my psychiatrist, who is prescribing the nortryptiline that I think might have caused the seizure-like thing I experienced last weekend.  He kind of hemmed and hawed and said it might have been a seizure but might not, though he didn't seem to have any idea what else it might have been.  He said it might have been caused by the meds but might not have and if it happens again, he will refer me to a neurologist and if it doesn't happen again, don't worry about it.  I'm not sure if I'm satisfied with that or not.

He also checked my blood pressure because one of my other meds can cause very high blood pressure.  So he checked it, then checked it again, then asked what my BP usually is.  I said usually low, like 90/60.  Well, today it was 80/50, which probably explains why I've been feeling dizzy a lot when I first get up.  So he told me I need to drink more.  Well, geez, I drink constantly except when I am eating.  So I'm not sure how to drink more.

If he suspected Dehydration for your low BP, then I am surprised he didn't also suggest you take electrolites, not just drinking more water. I would try drinking electrolites to see if that makes you feel better, but if not, then he might need to adjust your med dose.

Kelly, I'm so sorry you're going through this!  Side effects are so frustrating.  I've had some bizarre ones with psych meds too.  The "wait and see" thing is scary too.  You certainly don't want to go through another seizure-like event.  As far as the "drink more" thing, I'm there with you.  My doc said I need to drink more because my BUN was just slightly above the normal range on my last labs, indicating dehydration.  I drink over 100 oz of non-caffeinated liquids a day, 64 oz of which is water.  I'm in the bathroom all day!  I know this is what we have to deal with because of our small stomachs, but it sure is frustrating sometimes!

I hope you feel better soon and that you can get some answers!  

Hi Kelly,

If you have a primary doctor, I would suggest you go and see them. A pyschiatrist isn't going to know what is going on medically with you, they just don't treat or see that kind of thing. It is very possible that it might never happen again, but it could and the next time, you could be driving a car, or walking down a flight of stairs. I would hate to hear of something really bad happening to you. I hope you get some answers on what's going on with you. Good luck.

I'm calling my PCP tomorrow.

Hey Kelly,
Psychiatrists are medical doctors and they are knowledgable about the effects of medications on the body functions/systems. Maye you are thinking of psychologists. They are not medical doctors and cannot prescribe medications.
I am married to a psychiatrist and he spends many hours on psychopharmacology.

Oops!  My comments are for Eileen.