Posted by Elizabeth on February 2, 2002, at 12:27:54
In reply to I can't sleep on desipramine...HELP, posted by tomatosoup on February 1, 2002, at 7:21:46
Desipramine made my sleep problems much worse. (I didn't think it was that great for ADD symptoms, BTW.) One thing that can help with middle-of-the-night awakenings is taking some Ambien or Sonata to get back to sleep. They're short-acting (Sonata more so), so you probably won't have problems with morning drowsiness.
Another thing you might consider is getting your serum desipramine level tested. Some people don't metabolize TCAs normally, and it might explain why you're having so many side effects on such a low dose.
> My doctor says that it has nothing to do with the med. Is that possible?
It's *possible* -- but it's also possible that the desipramine is causing the problem (or making it worse). I think it sounds like your doctor isn't being very open-minded. Desipramine definitely can disrupt sleep.
> I have also been very teary, anxious, and I think a little paranoid. No help with ADD either.
>
> My mouth tastes like a sewer, I have gained 5 pounds, and I feel dull.You should make a point of telling your doctor all this.
> Are my symptoms from sleep deprivation?
Not the dry mouth or the weight gain (common TCA side effects). The other stuff might well be.
> I used to take Adderall and it was mostly good. This doc does not want to prescribe it to me.
Oh jeez. I'd think about finding a doctor who has more experience treating ADD (maybe a specialist). TCAs don't work for a lot of people. Wellbutrin can help sometimes, but stimulants really are the treatment of choice.
-elizabeth
poster:Elizabeth
thread:92493
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020131/msgs/92610.html