I take 10mg nortriptyline, its been a week and i have a lot of side effects can i just quit. my doctor said yes. now i can not sleep. what do i do?

You may quit : In the meanwhile in order to sleep you can take 3 mg of melatonin two hours before desired sleep time. Since you had so many side effects from nortriptyline at such a low dose, i would recommend that your dr. Check you for your cytochrome p450 2d6 isoenzyme status. You are likely a very slow metabolizer through this enzyme system in your liver. While that is a normal variant, can greatly impact combinations of medications that you use in the future and doses of psychotropics given in the future. You should have that check so that you do not windup accidentally getting toxic from a large variety of prescribed medications. It is a simple inexpensive blood test. Best wishes.

Use good sleep : Hygiene. Retire ; rise same time each day. Keep bedroom dark ; cool ; use only for sex ; sleep. Turn off tv. No naps. Exercise regularly but not in late evening. No caffeine for 6 hrs ; no alcohol or tobacco w/i 2 hrs of sleep. Keep dinner moderate sized ; finish at least 2 to 3 hrs before sleep. Can try warm milk, chamomile tea or melatonin along w light reading, warm bath or lavender scent.